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Romania remains a steadfast state in its relations in the Middle East and maintains its attitude of peace promoter, but will unconditionally stand by its allies in difficult moments, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said Tuesday at the end of his meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
He stressed that his visit to Israel is an expression of solidarity with the Israeli people, following the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas.
"I have decided to come to Israel today because, in such difficult moments, as those currently experienced by the Israeli people, partners and friends must show their solidarity. The Romanian society, the community of Israelis in Romania and the community of Romanians in Israel mourn with you, Mr Prime Minister, the innocent victims, women, children, young people in their prime, following the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas. I convey our compassion for all these losses of human lives and for the many injured, among whom, tragically, there were also citizens of Romanian origin," said Marcel Ciolacu.
The prime minister pointed out that Romania has strongly condemned what has happened in Israel in recent days, and, together with the international community, calls for the immediate release of all hostages and kidnapped persons and the refraining from any further act of aggression, especially against civilian targets.
"Romania has strongly condemned what has happened in Israel in recent days, the level of atrocities committed by Hamas, a terrorist group that holds the Palestinian population hostage to satisfy its extremist interests. In this context, the Romanian Parliament was the first legislative body among democratic states to adopt in a joint session a declaration of solidarity with the Israeli state. Together with the international community, Romania calls for the immediate release of all hostages and kidnapped persons and the refraining from any further act of aggression, in particular against civilian targets," Ciolacu said.
Marcel Ciolacu also called for humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip.
"I am convinced that the entire international community will get involved in opening humanitarian corridors and providing the necessary assistance to refugees," Ciolacu said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for the involvement of the Israeli authorities and for his support for the safe repatriation of more than 2,200 Romanian citizens from Israel.
In conclusion, the Romanian Prime Minister reiterated the "necessity and urgency" of a sustainable peace in the Middle East.
"And I wish for a joint effort for the safe evacuation of Romanian citizens from the Gaza Strip, so that such moments do not happen again," Ciolacu added.
