Syria and Moldova – topics of the talks between Klaus Iohannis and Federica Mogherini

The conflict in Syria and the situation in Republic of Moldova were two of the topics addressed on Friday by President Klaus Iohannis at the meeting, at Cotroceni Palace, with Federica Mogherini, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

“We have approached almost all the topics within the scope of Mrs Mogherini – the Eastern Partnership, the situation of the European Union in the southern area, Middle East, but also issues related to the EU, for example, the organization and better coordination of European defence. (…) In regard to Syria, we are on the same side and we want the conflict to be solved peacefully, by diplomatic means. We’ve both agreed that the military option is not a solution. Consequently, the diplomatic approach is certainly important, even if at this point the discussions between the US and Russia have reached deadlock on Syria, the EU wants to get involved, it wants to be a partner that facilitates and participates in these discussions. (…) We have agreed to have a common approach regarding Moldova and we agreed that this approach can only go in the direction of supporting it to strengthen its public institutions, to have a sound democratic life and to continue in this way a journey that we hope will still keep the eyes facing Europe,” Iohannis said.

He said he found openness from Federica Mogherini in regard to Moldova’s roadmap towards the EU membership.

“It was well understood that Romania does not have only a special interest, but also a legitimate interest in the smooth running of things in Moldova, and we have agreed to correlate much better our approaches regarding Moldova. These approaches obviously do not mean interference, but go in the most sincere way to support Moldova in its European democratic course,” President Iohannis said.

The President stressed that Romania and the EU will not interfere in the elections in Moldova because this would be unfair.

FM Comanescu on Schengen: Romania’s efforts are increasingly better understood

Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu said on Friday that the efforts made by Romania to strengthen its external borders are increasingly better understood arguments in favour of our country’s accession to the Schengen area.

“Now it is increasingly highlighted the strong need that the EU’s priorities (focus on) the consolidation of its external borders. Everything Romania has done so far, in terms of its external borders, which are also EU’s external borders, represent arguments which are understood better and better, in the sense that Romania’s accession to the Schengen area will be likely to strengthen the EU capabilities to cope with the security challenges we face,” the Foreign Minister said after the meeting with the EU High representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini.

Comanescu said that in the near future, there will be ‘revolutions’’ that will confirm the importance of strengthening the security of Romania’s external border.