Romania's Minister-delegate for European Affairs Ana Birchall is starting today a two-day official visit to Madrid, Spain, Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) reported in a press statement on Thursday.
In Madrid, Birchall is scheduled to meet Chair of Spain Parliament's Joint Committee on the European Union Soraya Rodriguez; senior official for European affairs with Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jorge Toledo Albinana; as well as Director of the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) Pascal Legai. Also featuring on the agenda is a meeting with Christian Orthodox Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal.
Part of the visit will be working meetings with Spanish officials on various European affairs themes of shared interest, such as the reflection on the future of Europe, the stakes and European approach of Brexit negotiations, the prospects for the traditional EU policies in the future post-2020 financial framework, EU internal security and the operation of the Schengen Area.
Also discussed will be the latest developments in and the outlook for cooperation between Romania and Spain in the area of European affairs, with emphasis on the Romanian community of Spain, which continues to be a main marker of the development of a solid bilateral partnership, says MAE.
Before leaving for Madrid, Birchall pointed out that "my meetings scheduled in Spain are opportunities to reassert Romania's commitment and determination to actively participate in debates on the future of the EU and the part of common polices, as it continues to be with the member states supporting European integration as part of the efforts to revive the European design."
"It is important for the process to be grounded in consensual objectives and principles shared and followed by all the EU member states and institutions, a reason why consultations with Spanish partners are essential," said Birchall.
The Madrid meetings are also part of a recent series of events conducted by Birchall to intensify consultations and cooperation with officials of the EU member states in an attempt to complete a congruent approach of topical European themes amidst the ongoing challenges against the European agenda.
Comentează