PMs Ciolacu, Netanyahu: Romanian Gov't supports Israel's right to self-defence

Romania supports Israel's right to self-defence, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu stated on Thursday in Israel, where he went to meet his Israelian counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu."[I am here - editor's note] for strengthening cooperation with PM Netanyahu and our Israeli friends. Romania and the Romanian Government supports Israel's right to self-defence, as we are worried about the security situation in the region and the danger of an escalation," Ciolacu wrote on the X platform.   Romania is strongly condemning the latest terrorist attacks on Israel and calling on all parties involved to contribute to the restoration of security and the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Thursday in Jerusalem, where he met his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu."I am the first head of government to come to Israel immediately after the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023 to express my solidarity with our Israeli friends. Same as then, Romania remains close to Israel, its important strategic partner in the wider Middle East region. Romania is strongly condemning the terrorist attacks on Israel and calling on all parties involved to contribute to the restoration of security and the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement. In this regard, Romania supports the efforts of the US and its foreign partners in the region to conclude a ceasefire agreement and release all hostages in the Gaza Strip," Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on a working visit at Netanyahu's invitation, according to a Romanian government press release."I was glad to note the friendship and openness of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, towards Romania and, especially, towards deepening economic cooperation. We have a dynamic economic co-operation due to concrete projects in the fields of defence and food industry, as well as shared interests in cutting-edge sectors such as information technology, communications, research and development. The Romanian and Israeli ministers will discuss in detail the implementation of these projects."Ciolacu added that Romania will continue to strongly advocate for the release of all hostages and will support Israel's efforts in that regard and other international partners for their release from the Gaza Strip, including those with dual Romanian-Israeli citizenship or with Romanian origins."Romania is worried about a possible regional spillover of the conflict. Let me voice our support for the right of the State of Israel to self-defence against terrorist threats. We also emphasise the importance of respecting international and humanitarian law and the need to protect all civilians. Romania's efforts are materialised by the transmission of humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and the willingness to take children from this region for treatment in Romanian hospitals."Also, during the meeting with his Israeli counterpart, the head of the Romanian government reiterated Romania's position on a just peace and support for a two-state solution, based on international law and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also had a meeting with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. He also met on Thursday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.During the meeting with the Israeli president, Ciolacu gave assurances that Romania will continue to support the release of all hostages."I have assured the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, that Romania will continue to strongly support the release of all hostages and I strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Israel," the prime minister said on X network.In talks with the speaker of the Knesset, he emphasised that the safety of the Jewish community is a priority for Romania."The Romanian government stands in solidarity with Israel in the face of the challenges posed by the alarming rise in anti-Semitism. I have assured the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, that the safety of the Jewish community is a priority for us," the prime minister wrote on the same network.   The prime minister is accompanied by a delegation that includes the minister of defence, Angel Tilvar, the minister of foreign affairs, Luminita Odobescu, the minister of economy, entrepreneurship and tourism, Radu Oprea, and deputy Silviu Vexler.