President Iohannis in Brussels: For us, debates on Brexit must be carefully carried

President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday after arriving in Brussels to attend the European Council reunion that post-Brexit debates should be “carefully” carried, considering the Romanian citizens’ interests. At the same time, he pointed out that he expects the other European leaders will ask him about the general elections’ outcome in Romania.

“For us there are discussions that must be carefully carried. We don’t to be in the situation that our citizens should be disadvantaged,” President Iohannis said before the meeting.

He also stated that he expects being asked about the outcome of the Romanian general elections.

“The results will be definitely at issue. We always have formal and informal discussions. Undoubtedly there will be colleagues interested in the outcome of the Romanian elections,” the Romanian head of state said.

The European Council convened in Brussels on Thursday to tackle urgent matters on migration, security and foreign affairs, including the post-Brexit topic.

Regarding migration, according to a Presidential Administration release, the focus is on assessing progress on the agreements signed with some African countries, and on the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement. Within the context, the reform of the Common European Asylum System, and how to apply the principles of responsibility and solidarity in the future will be discussed as well.

On defence and the external security of the EU, talks will focus on EU-NATO relations, on the implementation plan for the EU Global Strategy, as well as on the European Defence Action Plan proposed by the European Commission.

During the EU 27 informal meeting, the talks will deal with how the Brexit process will be handled.

“Given the long and complex process involved in the Brexit process, the Romanian president will argue for the importance of managing the process in a predictable way, in accordance with the Union’s Treaties and keeping the unity of the 27 state members,” says a press release by the Presidential Adminsitration.