Bolojan’ messages at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania

  Acting President Ilie Bolojan said on Tuesday, at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania, that Romania is a democratic state, which continues to act to strengthen its institutions and the trust in them, and stressed that the goal in regards to the presidential election is to work for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.At the meeting at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, he conveyed several messages regarding Romania and its foreign policy."The first message is one of stability. Despite a financially challenging year, Romania has a governing coalition that ensures the stability of the country. Responsible budget management, maintaining a high level of investments that generate economic growth, and improving the quality of public services are the conditions for good governance," said the acting president.Ilie Bolojan pointed out that the second message is that Romania is a democratic state, which continues to work to strengthen its institutions and the trust in them."Strengthening our democracies is a permanent goal, and Romania is no exception," he said.The acting president brought to mind that at the end of last year, amid external interference, the Constitutional Court made a decision regarding the electoral process."It is evident that this situation generated challenges, and some perceived it as a crisis. It was an exceptional situation, managed with democratic tools. I want to affirm, with full responsibility, that we are within the constitutional framework, the law, and democracy. For the presidential elections that will take place in May, our goal - for all institutions - is to work for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process. From the position I hold, in accordance with the responsibilities I have, I will oversee the fulfillment of this objective," he stressed.A third message, Ilie Bolojan pointed out, is that Romania's foreign policy will maintain its natural course as an EU and NATO member, with a Strategic Partnership with the U.S., and being open to cooperation with all partners who share the same values and principles that Romania supports."The main directions of foreign policy remain unchanged," added the acting president.He mentioned that he has a strengthened team alongside him, including presidential advisers and the Government, with whom he will work intensively in the coming period."We remain a state that firmly believes in the future of the European Union. We remain pro-Atlantic and a responsible allied state. We are a trustworthy partner both bilaterally and in the international community," Bolojan highlighted.     He also said that Russia's aggression in Ukraine must end, underscoring that a ceasefire followed as soon as possible by a just and lasting peace is an objective that should be pursued not only by the parties in the conflict but also by the entire international community."In a few days, it will be three years since Russia's attack on Ukraine, which itself is just a continuation of the one from 2014. It is time for this aggression to stop. A ceasefire, followed as soon as possible by a just and lasting peace, represents an objective that must be pursued not only by the parties in conflict but also by the entire international community. The negotiations that have begun are a first step, but peace will not be lasting if it does not result from compromises acceptable to both sides equally and if international actors do not provide a comprehensive package of security guarantees for Ukraine, both in the short and long term," Ilie Bolojan said at the Cotroceni Palace during the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania.He stressed that security arrangements must be complemented by a broad reconstruction plan that would allow not only the rapid rebuilding of the country but also the economic sustainability of Ukraine's sovereignty."In ensuring all these elements of peace, the role of the European Union, including the countries in Ukraine's neighborhood, will be essential," added the acting president.Ilie Bolojan said that, in the face of Russia's aggression, the path of European integration has become more necessary than ever."2024 has brought major progress on this path, both for Ukraine and for the Republic of Moldova. It is important that these progresses continue. Likewise, the European integration of the Western Balkans, which remains of strategic interest for Romania and which we will support through concrete actions," added Bolojan.      The European Union is undergoing "a process of transformation that cannot wait any longer", interim President Ilie Bolojan said .He added that our country supports "good" proposals from the EU bloc, such as faster decision-making, debureaucratization, increased investment in the defence sector, with the exclusion of such spending from the Stability Pact, boosting the competitiveness of economies, positioning Europe on the map of developments in terms of innovation and artificial intelligence, protecting democracy and the rule of law, including from interference and increasingly sophisticated hybrid actions, and preparing a new budget, taking into account developments in security and defence, but also safeguarding our interests in cohesion policy and agriculture.The interim head of state recalled that Romania has been, since the beginning of the year, a full member of the Schengen Area and remains "a committed and active partner in strengthening the internal security of the EU and the security of external borders"."It can already be seen how Romania's presence in Schengen brings positive developments for tourism, transportation, trade and the environment. We have the funds from PNRR [the National recovery and Resilience Plan] and the European funds, and the government must resolve the delays and use them as efficiently as possible, because they mean investments and jobs for Romanians. They mean prosperity. The benefits of our membership of the EU are clear, and Romania supports any process at European level aimed at increasing the cohesion and strategic resilience of the Union and its Member States," the interim president went on to say.Ilie Bolojan recalled that, from a strategic and security perspective, Romania has undertaken that it will continue to play an active role in consolidating defence and deterrence, as well as NATO's presence on the Eastern Flank and the Black Sea."It is a region of strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security. We will continue to coordinate closely with allies to ensure NATO's defence and deterrence measures. I thank all our allies and partners for the contribution they have made to the security of Romania and the Black Sea region by deploying military personnel and equipment on the territory of our country," the interim president pointed out.   According to him, the year 2025 will be a "crucial" one for both our country and globally, evoking "increasingly intense, increasingly sophisticated" hybrid actions."The year 2025 will be a crucial one. A valid observation both for Romania and globally. We see around us and throughout the world numerous forms of aggression, from wars to new spaces of confrontation and geopolitical risks that create shock waves for markets, supply chains and industries. We see increasingly intense, increasingly sophisticated hybrid actions, with the use of online networks, algorithms, illegal sources of financing, which generate security risks for us, for all of us," said Bolojan.The interim president added that to these are added direct attacks on critical infrastructure and, even more seriously, massive disinformation and fake news campaigns, complemented by campaigns targeting democratic institutions and dividing the population. ''It is a new reality and it is clear that we need to be better equipped and coordinated,'' he said."I am confident that we will find the best answers to the challenges we face. Even if it involves great efforts, these answers can be found with seriousness and perseverance. You, as diplomats, have an important role in this context. You are in the privileged position of being the connecting element that can facilitate the international efforts we were talking about. I would like to thank you, the countries and organizations you represent for the work you have done in consolidating and deepening relations with Romania," he addressed the diplomats present.    În this context, Bolojan Romania shared the opinion that "defence investments need to be strengthened". "We share with the United States the conviction that defence investments need to be strengthened, something that Romania is already doing by increasing the share of defence in GDP and through its endowment projects," the interim president said.Ilie Bolojan stressed that the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America "has been and will remain a pillar of Romania's foreign policy"."Our ties are deep and we share a community of values and destiny. We believe in this relationship, which has progressed substantially over time, as we believe that it can be further strengthened in its substance through our jint projects, whether in the field of security, energy security, trade or investment," Bolojan added.The interim president welcomed Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, "which will have a crucial impact on our relations, including from the perspective of cultural and scientific exchanges, and relations between citizens".   Bolojan also stated that supporting the Republic of Moldova is a duty for Romania, pointing out that the resilience of this country must be strengthened in the context of the parliamentary elections that will take place this year."Supporting the Republic of Moldova is a duty for Romania. The Republic of Moldova will have parliamentary elections this year, and its resilience must be strengthened. We cannot allow Russia to continue using instruments of blackmail and coercion, as we have recently seen with the use of energy. The solution for energy security is the best possible interconnection with Romania and the European Union, and for this we are working intensively," said Ilie Bolojan, at the Cotroceni Palace, at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania.He underscored that, for Romania, security and stability in the area are essential."But our neighbourhood offers us not only challenges, but also opportunities, and here I am referring to connectivity. Whether we are talking about transport, energy or digital networks, there is immense potential in our region and for Romania's role. Therefore, coordination and joint projects with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are vital, the same as our involvement in the future reconstruction of Ukraine. I am also referring here to the potential of our relations with partners in the Western Balkans region, with Turkey, as well as with states in the Caucasus and Central Asia, working on the coordinates of connectivity," the interim president also stated.      Romania's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) remains an "important objective," Acting President Ilie Bolojan also said on Tuesday at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania."An important objective for the upcoming period remains Romania's accession to the OECD. The process of aligning with the organization standards, through internal transformation of policies, practices, and legislation, will continue. We are committed to completing the accession process, and I would like to thank all our partners for their open and constant support," said the acting president.Ilie Bolojan underscored that Romania remains "a reliable and attractive partner in the economic area" and urged Romanian diplomats to become more involved in promoting the country's economy."We are already taking measures to ensure sustainable economic growth and to increase foreign investors' interest in our country. I have asked ministers and Romanian diplomats to promote Romanian companies and to get more involved in attracting investors by presenting the opportunities offered by our economy. In our relations with all states that host Romanian communities, we will continue to value their role as catalysts for bilateral cooperation, but also constantly pursue the essential objective of ensuring that Romanians abroad have their rights respected according to European and international standards," he said.He voiced his conviction that Romania must continue to promote the multilateral framework, "but one that is efficient," and remain active and engaged within all relevant international organisations."We will be a responsible and committed part of international efforts to manage problems for which only the multilateral framework offers real solutions," Bolojan said.The acting president pointed out that dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy "remain ways to promote our common interests and resolve the problems we face, including global crises."In this regard, he praised the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.Bolojan thanked for the efforts to release hostages, including those with Romanian citizenship or origin."It is important that these efforts continue for a lasting peace in Gaza and for the implementation of the two-state solution, ensuring the security of Israel and the Palestinians' right to self-determination. We will continue to provide humanitarian support in Gaza, including the continued reception of children who need medical assistance," added the acting president of Romania.Ilie Bolojan also advocated for the development of international partnerships."Romania remains firmly interested in opening new horizons for cooperation. We will continue to pay special attention to relations not only with European states, but also with countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, particularly with those who share the same values, approaches, and interests. At the same time, we will be pragmatic in our relations with all actors with whom we can identify common interests," the acting president of Romania concluded.  (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)