President of Germany in Bucharest, met the Romanian President, PM

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has paid an official visit to Bucharest on Wednesday, where he met with President Klaus Iohannis at the Cotroceni Palace. Among the topics discussed by the two heads of state were the situation of regional, European and Euro-Atlantic security, generated by the war launched by Russia against Ukraine, but also the support of the Republic of Moldova.

The German president also met Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca at Victoria Palace.

“Our consultations today confirmed once again that the privileged bilateral strategic relationship between Romania and Germany is very strong and has very good prospects, despite the current difficult period, marked by multiple challenges, especially in terms of security. Our economic ties are very close, Germany being, for many years, the first trading partner of Romania and the third investor in the Romanian economy”, stated President Klaus Iohannis.

He said he had discussed with Frank-Walter Steinmeier “the serious security situation created by the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, as well as the fight against its multiple effects”.

“Thus, we reconfirmed the full support that Romania provides to all refugees from Ukraine who come to our country, through concrete measures, including the operationalization of the humanitarian logistics center in Suceava. It is crucial that the support of the European Union and the Member States continues, both for Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees. I also presented the measures taken by Romania to support the Ukrainian economy, hard hit by the war, by facilitating the transit through our country of Ukrainian goods, including food, to third markets. We also addressed the need to adopt new sanctions for Russia and to continue its efforts to isolate it internationally. The pressure must intensify for Russia to stop the invasion and end the aggression,” the Romanian head of state said.

Klaus Iohannis also reiterated that Romania is endorsing the process of condemnation of war crimes in Ukraine.

“Equally, all war crimes committed by the Russian troops must be thoroughly investigated and punished by the international judiciary, with Romania supporting this process”, Iohannis said.

The visit of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier takes place in the context of the 30th anniversary of the signing, on April 21, 1992, of the Treaty between Romania and Germany on friendly cooperation and partnership in Europe, an emblematic framework document of the contemporary history of bilateral relations. a statement from the Presidential Administration.

“The consultations between the Romanian and German presidents will focus on the concrete ways of developing and deepening the Romanian-German relationship, which has a strategic character, being defined by a very active political-diplomatic dialogue, a constantly growing economic dynamic and special interpersonal contacts. facilitated by the German minority in Romania and the growing Romanian community in Germany. The two heads of state will also address the prospects of strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, given that Germany is Romania’s first trading partner, with exchanges totaling over 35 billion euros in 2021, and the third largest investor in the Romanian economy. At the same time, the stimulation of mutual investments and the deepening of the sectorial cooperation will be discussed “, read a press release issued by the Romanian Presidency prior to the meeting.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Klaus Iohannis will also talk about the “developments in regional, European and Euro-Atlantic security caused by the Russian Federation’s illegal aggression against Ukraine. The two heads of state will address, in context, support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, energy security, measures to strengthen the deterrent and defense stance on the Eastern Flank of the North Atlantic Alliance, coordination of regional, European positions and preparations for the Summit. NATO of Madrid. At the same time, the agenda will include issues related to the active and comprehensive support needed in the current regional context by the European Union’s neighboring states, in particular the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkan states, including their support for European integration,” the Presidential Administration also informed.

Later, the German president will also have a meeting with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, at Victoria Palace, according to the prime minister’s agenda.