Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu on Monday participated in a meeting in Brussels of the heads of the EU diplomacy, the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), reiterating support for Ukraine's sovereignty, integrity and independence and underscoring the importance of continuing the EU's multidimensional support for Ukraine.
According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE), Hurezeanu pointed to the need to speed up military support for Ukraine, including support under the European Peace Facility/EPF and adjusting the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission/EUMAM to meet the requirements on the ground.
He also voiced support for the need to keep up pressure on Russia and prepare the 16th package of restrictive measures to be adopted three years since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
He reaffirmed Romania's support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and said that any peace talks must involve both Kyiv and its neighbours participating in efforts to support Ukraine.
He also reiterated Romania's support for the European path of Ukraine and Moldova.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Hurezeanu welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the ceasefire and the release of a number of hostages.
He voiced support for the redeployment of the EUBAM Rafah mission, which will contribute to an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He underlined the importance of a constant dialogue with both sides and voiced support for the organisation of the EU-Israel Association Council, as well as the high-level political dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.
He also reiterated his firm support for the two-state solution.
Regarding the situation in Syria, the Romanian foreign minister pointed to the need for a peaceful and inclusive political transition that would ensure Syria's territorial integrity and protect the fundamental rights of all Syrians, including ethnic and religious minorities. At the same time, he voiced support for a gradual and reversible easing of sanctions, depending on further developments in Syria.
Regarding the situation in Lebanon, he welcomed the election of a new president and the appointment of a new prime minister, voicing support for institutional consolidation and reconstruction of the country.
Regarding the EU-US relations, the importance of maintaining a robust transatlantic relationship, essential in the current geopolitical context, was underlined. The EU must have a coordinated approach in the dialogue with the new administration in Washington, including in terms of securing solid transatlantic support for Ukraine and increasing the resilience of Moldova.
Regarding Moldova, the Romanian minister highlighted the fact that Russia weaponises energy to achieve its political interests and mentioned Romania's constant support, both through the supply of electricity and gas, and through the constant advocacy, at EU level, for an increase in European and member states' support for Moldova.
He welcomed the European Commission's announcement of an additional EUR 30 million in financial support for the management of the energy crisis.
On the sidelines of the FAC meeting, Hurezeanu attended an informal dinner with the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya. He pointed out that, like the 2020 elections, the presidential election in Belarus on January 26, 2025 can be considered neither free nor democratic, as the minimum requirements were not met. He encouraged the maintenance of the unity of the Belarusian opposition in exile and highlighted Romania's active involvement in supporting civil society, independent media and the Belarusian political opposition.
Hurezeanu participated in an informal breakfast on the hybrid threats facing Europe, especially from Russia, and had an exchange of views with his counterparts on ways to strengthen EU action to prevent and deter them.
At the same time, on the sidelines of the FAC meeting, the head of the Romanian diplomacy had brief meetings with his counterpart from the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, and with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braze.
The discussion with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, focused on the importance of the closest possible cooperation, through the relevant authorities, to solve the theft of Romanian artefacts from the Drents Museum in Assen. Hurezeanu highlighted the importance of recovering the stolen artefacts as soon as possible, highlighting their exceptional cultural and historical relevance for the Romanian heritage.
Veldkamp gave assurances over the support of the Dutch authorities for the identification of the perpetrators and the recovery of the treasure.
In his conversation with Spain's Albares, Hurezeanu appreciated the dynamism of cooperation with the Spanish side under a strategic partnership, with emphasis on coordination on topics of common interest on the European agenda.
Discussed at the meeting with Latvian Minister Baiba Braze were the developments in bilateral relations and the importance of the opening, last year, of the Romanian Embassy in Riga, which building will be soon inaugurated. At the same time, the two ministers discussed the national and European approaches in combating hybrid threats, as well as support for Moldova and Ukraine in their accession to the European Union.
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