Acting President meets with Romanian MEPs, stresses upcomig election is of strategic interest to Romania

  Acting President Ilie Bolojan met on Monday at the Cotroceni Palace with Romanian MEPs to discuss the country's strategic priorities in the current European and international context, the Presidential Administration informs.According to the cited source, the talks focused on priority topics on the European Union's agenda, including European security and defense, the transatlantic relationship, the Union's multiannual budget, the absorption of European funds - those under the NRRP facility in particular - support for Ukraine and the Union's enlargement policy, as well as on the ways how Romania can strengthen its position and contribution within the EU.The acting president thanked the MEPs for their sustained efforts in promoting Romania's interests at European level, emphasizing their essential role in advancing these interests. Also, Ilie Bolojan told the Romanian MEPs that efficient collaboration between them and the Romanian Representation to the EU, as well as with the country's institutions - Parliament, the government, the ministries - is highly important for coordinating national positions and ensure a unified approach in key areas."In the field of defense, the meeting concluded that a coordinated vision is needed, which would integrate the defense industry, priority investment areas, financial aspects and complementarity with NATO, as the guarantor of collective defense. Romania will pursue the consolidation of its defense capacity and the development of the national industry, capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the European Union, in accordance with the commitments pledged within NATO," the Presidential Administration shows.A topic tackled by most of the Romanian MEPs was the current electoral context."In this regard, President Ilie Bolojan stressed the need for a transparent and efficient electoral process, emphasizing that a fair conduct of the elections represents a strategic interest for Romania, paramount for consolidating democracy and for the gaining citizens' trust in state institutions," the cited source said.As far as the transatlantic relationship is concerned, its importance and the need for closer collaboration with the new American administration were highlighted. "The strengthening of this relationship is essential, given the strategic role of the partnership between the United States and Europe, both in the security and economic fields," the release states.The discussion also addressed the subject of European funds, especially the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the acting president underscoring the importance of an absorption as efficient as possible, through constant communication between decision-makers and a clear prioritization of projects.As far as support for Ukraine is concerned, Ilie Bolojan said that Romania will continue to cooperate with European and international partners in order to contribute to a rapid and lasting peace solution."The need for the active involvement of the European Parliament in this effort was emphasized by the participants," the cited source adds. (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)