Minister Hurezeanu at informal meeting of EU diplomatic leaders; Ukraine war on agenda

  Minister Emil Hurezeanu participated on Wednesday and Thursday at the informal meeting of foreign ministers from EU member states (Gymnich format), hosted in Warsaw by Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister, Poland holding the EU Council presidency at present.   According to a Foreign Ministry press release of Thursday, at the session devoted to EU-UK relations, the ministers had an exchange of opinions with David Lammy, the UK secretary of state for foreign affairs, Commonwealth and development, about the evolution of EU-UK relations, European security, the support offered to Ukraine, the Middle East situation and so on.   Minister Hurezeanu welcomed the first EU-UK summit to be held on May 19, in a complex geopolitical context and expressed his support in consolidating the partnership between EU and UK, including the adoption of a defence and security partnership. The Romanian official also pointed out the importance to continuate the EU-UK cooperation about peace in Ukraine.   About the EU-USA relations, the head of Romanian diplomacy reiterated the importance of a solid bilateral partnership, essential for European security and prosperity and pointed out the relevance of building a positive EU-USA agenda. Emil Hurezeanu also pointed out the capital US role in talks about peace in Ukraine and pleaded for an increased involvement and cooperation with USA in ensuring security and prosperity in the Black Sea area. In context, he pointed out Romania's contribution within the Black Sea naval demining group which also includes Bulgaria and Turkey.   Referring to the Russian war against Ukraine, Hurezeanu reiterated the importance of concluding a just and durable peace with the involvement of Ukraine and Europe in negotiations in ensuring the susteinability of a peace accord.   He pointed out the essential role of continuing the EU support for Ukraine in all directions and reasserted Romania's support for the initiative proposed by Kaja Kallas for military support for Ukraine. Also, minister Hurezeanu expressed support in continuing pressure over Russia and pointed out the importance of adopting the 17th package of restrictive measures and additional sanctions in the regime on Russia's hybrid threats.   During the work dinner with partners from the West Balkan area, Turkey and Moldova, the Romanian foreign minister pointed out the importance of the EU extension policy, as strategic investment in the peace, security and prosperity of those partners and of Europe on the overall. He emphasized the intensification of Russia's hybrid actions, both against member states and partners. He also showed the importance of cooperation in the direction of consilidating the resilience of EU and neighboring partners by knowing the lessons learned, resulting from the experience of countries like Moldova or Romania. Minister Hurezeanu also expressed support for the adoption of EU strategy to counteract Russia's hybrid threats.  (Photo:https://www.mae.ro/)