German minister in Bucharest: We have a big interest in Romania being stable

We have a big interest in Romania being stable, Minister of State for Europe with Germany’s Foreign Ministry Michael Roth said in Bucharest on Thursday, arguing that Germany needs strongly European committed allies.

Roth also pointed out that consistent efforts within close dialogue are required to preserve the good bilateral relations.

“The Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report released some days ago underscored significant progress, but also pointed some fields where there is still work to do. I have closely followed the reform implementation efforts. The German Government is ready to provide support if so asked and if possible. We have a big interest in Romania being stable, a country strengthened by modernisation and able to play an increasingly more important part in the European process. At a time when the concept of Europe is increasingly more often called into question, we need Romania to be a pro-European force,” Roth told a conference on joint Romanian-German solutions to European challenges in 2016, organised by the Romanian-German Forum at the residence of Germany’s ambassador in Bucharest.

Regarding the refugees’ topic, Roth said Romania is playing a constructive part in the debate on the distribution of migrants.

“My colleagues have very clearly showed that Romania is ready to take over refugees and I hope there is a chance of all member states meeting their commitments (on this topic). It is terrible that only 400 out of 160,000 refugees have been relocated. (…) Like other EU friends and partners, Romania disagrees with Germany over the establishment of a permanent distribution mechanism. I am here to listen, to exchange opinions and I hope our arguments will convince other EU friends and partners (…) Our big problem is that time passes and we have to act now,” said Roth.

In his opinion, team spirit and solidarity are meant to overcome the challenges ahead Europe.

“We need friends and allies with a strong European commitment, like Romania, which does not mean us having to agree on everything. Contradictory talks and visions help us understand the perspective of our partners and develop as a team (…) Unfortunately, this has not always been the case over the past months, but I am convinced that, on a long-term vision, walking down the European path is always better than walking down a lonely path,” added Roth.