Cristian Diaconescu, after Paris meeting: There will be a discussion in COREPER

Presidential advisor Cristian Diaconescu categorically denied on Monday evening the information that appeared in the public space according to which Romania would have received an invitation to the Paris meeting, organized by President Emmanuel Macron, and did not accept it."I can categorically deny that an invitation was received. In fact, we are working day and night to open a series of communication channels. You will see, in the coming days and even hours, a series of developments in terms of Romania's positioning, of generating certain type of European and transatlantic solidarity, because both are in the interest of the security of our country," the coordinator of the Chancellery of the interim president of Romania said in a telephone interview for Antena 3 TV station.According to him, work is currently underway to "have the necessary consultations, in the idea that a united Europe and a transatlantic relationship are useful to us."The presidential advisor confirmed instead that, on Tuesday, a discussion would take place in COREPER [Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Union], and Ambassador Iulia Matei "has a mandate regarding the continuation of the steps and Romania's positioning"."Yes, I can confirm the steps and equally the fact that, in connection with the conclusions of the Paris meeting, tomorrow there will be a discussion in COREPER, in the meeting of ambassadors from the European Union and, obviously, our representative, Mrs. Iulia Matei, has a mandate regarding the continuation of the steps and Romania's positioning", declared Cristian Diaconescu.About ten European leaders attended an emergency meeting on Ukraine and European defense in Paris on Monday, as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to negotiate a peace deal for Ukraine directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, without the involvement of Europeans, AFP and EFE reported.    In turn, the interim president of the Senate, Mircea Abrudean considers that Romania’s absence from the informal reunion in Paris is not `a slap on the face” for our country, as formal reunions are important where decisions are taken and Romania will be ‘surely’ invited.‘What is important is what happens during formal reunions, where Romania will be surely invited and will take part at the level of adequate representation. As important as this is that Romania is part of the discussions with regard to Ukraine’s reconstruction and the fact that we are present there physically, at present, I don’t think it is a slap on the face given to Romania. We are connected to the discussions which take place there and what  is important is what will happen during formal reunions, where decisions are taken’ said Abrudean, on Monday at the Senate.