President Iohannis: Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should result in restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity
President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday that the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity was the only acceptable option in the country’s negotiations with Russia.
The head of state welcomed the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
“One topic we discussed in depth was the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, which has led to the worst security crisis in decades, with multiple implications. We discussed the concrete ways in which we can support as effectively as possible the refugees who fled the war, highlighting Romania’s complex efforts, including the humanitarian hub in Suceava. I also reiterated that Romania supports a thorough investigation by the International Criminal Court into all war crimes committed by Russian troops. As for the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, they should result in the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the only acceptable option being a solution in line with international law and Euro-Atlantic security interests,” the Romanian president said.
He stressed that Romania supports the consolidation of the set of sanctions adopted against Russia.
“We are committed to continuing to coordinate with our partners and allies in this direction,” Iohannis said, according to Agerpres.
Romania, Lithuania support elimination of European Union’s energy dependency
Romania and Lithuania support the elimination of the European Union’s energy dependency, said, on Friday, President Klaus Iohannis after the meeting had with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, who paid a visit to Bucharest.
“As regards the topic of energy, Romania and Lithuania support the elimination of the Union’s energy dependence. A joint concern is also the attenuation of the impact of high energy prices on consumers and we will continue dialogue regarding the measures necessary to protect European citizens,” said the head of state.
He added that Romania fully supports the integration of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia in the EU.
President Iohannis reiterated that the Republic of Moldova needs substantial direct financial assistance, both to manage the refugee flow it is facing, as well as to consolidate its energy security, public finances and to implement the ambitious reforms it assumed.
“Romania will host in Bucharest, together with Germany and France, the second edition of the Conference of the International Moldova Support Platform, in order to work on the commitments already made by participating states and we have invited Lithuania to be involved,” said Iohannis.
The head of state also reiterated the necessity of strengthening the NATO’s deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern Flank, in the long-term, especially regarding the Black Sea.
He also referred to Romania’s decision to resume participation in 2023 in NATO air policing missions in the Baltic area, the base for executing the missions to be hosted by Lithuania.
“This measure represents a responsible contribution of Romania to strengthening Allied collective security and proof of solidarity with the states in this region,” said the head of state.
Discussions between the two officials also referred to deepening cooperation within the Bucharest 9 format and the Three Seas Initiative. In context, President Iohannis reiterated the importance Romania grants to the accomplishment of interconnection projects Rail2Sea and Via Carpathia.
The head of state thanked his Lithuanian counterpart for the constant support of his country for Romania’s strategic objectives, such as accession to the Schengen Area, as well as the OECD.
President Iohannis also showed that bilateral trade with Lithuania is on the rise and there is potential.
“We must make additional efforts, including from the perspective of reciprocal investments. We have efficient cooperation in domains such as defence, internal affairs and research and we may extend this cooperation in other sectorial domains, such as innovative technologies or energy security,” the head of state added.
PM Ciuca, President Nauseda discuss situation in Ukraine and its impact on the energy sector
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on Friday welcomed at the Victoria Palace the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, who is currently paying an official visit to Romania, the two focusing on the situation in Ukraine, its impact on the energy sector and the importance of joint implementation of sanctions against Russia.
According to a press release of the government, the PM confirmed Romania’s contribution to NATO’s Eastern flank security, including by participating in the Alliance’s Air Police mission in the Baltic area since 2023.
“The two high officials also underscored, on the same occasion, that EU Member States must rapidly diversify their energy sources to eliminate the Union’s energy dependence and work for the implementation of solutions that improve connectivity,” the same source said.
At the same time, Prime Minister Ciuca presented Romania’s experience in the nuclear energy sector, showing that the country is ready to cooperate with Lithuania in this field.
Our country is interested in benefiting from Lithuania’s recent experience in preparing for OECD membership, as well as cooperation in the financial technology sector, the government press release said.
The Prime Minister underscored that the Republic of Moldova needs financial support in order to manage the humanitarian crisis and to strengthen its energy security.
Last but not least, the head of Executive has pleaded in favour of the applications for membership of the European Union of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia.
Senate Chair Citu, President Nauseda discuss support for Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia seeking EU membership, reconstruction of Ukraine and sanctions against Russia
Support for Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia seeking European Union (EU) membership, reconstruction of Ukraine and keeping or adding more sanctions against Russia were the subjects addressed at a meeting in Bucharest of Chairman of the Romanian Senate Florin Citu and visiting President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda.
“Three important messages were discussed today in my meeting with the president of Lithuania. First of all, support for the bids of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia to become members of the European Union. That is very important. There was a lot of discussion about Moldova and Ukraine, but to us it is important for Moldova to be included in this package,” Citu said after the meeting.
He added that the reconstruction of Ukraine was another subject of his conversation with Nauseda.
“We talked about the reconstruction of Ukraine. First of all, last week, during a visit to Kyiv, I found out the impact, the cost, the effect of the invasion, the aggression of Russia in Ukraine – 600 billion US dollars. The common message was that Russia must make a substantial contribution to Ukraine’s financial reconstruction. Of course, it is up to the world community to make decisions, because Russia will never do it voluntarily,” he said.
Discussions also focused on the need to keep in place or even add to the sanctions against Moscow, as Lithuania is the first country to ban natural gas imports from Russia.
“The third message is very clear: to keep in place or add to the sanctions against Russia. We discussed the economic context in the EU with economies that are starting to get a little tired. It is important not to lose energy, to keep up the pace in imposing the sanctions, because otherwise Russia can regroup. Lithuania is the first country to ban gas imports from Russia, an example that must be followed by all EU countries,” Citu concluded.
Compiled from Agerpres
Photo: www.presidency.ro
