Minister Odobescu voices Romania's strong support for comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine

Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu participated on Thursday in the informal meeting, in a restricted format, which preceded the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Malta, where she reiterated Romania's firm support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the UN Charter and the principles of international law.According to a MAE press release, the meeting focused on the OSCE's support to Ukraine in the context of the Russian Federation's war of aggression.In her address, the Romanian minister referred to the implications of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine and the role of the OSCE in this context, reconfirming Romania's principled position of condemning this illegal aggression.The head of the Romanian diplomacy condemned the drone attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, which affect the global transit of food, as well as Russia's encroachment on the airspace of countries in the vicinity of the war, including Romania. She also evoked the effects of the war in the wider Black Sea region, condemning the Russian Federation's hybrid attacks and malign interference in democratic processes and democratic societies.She highlighted the OSCE's work in support of Ukraine in dealing with the consequences of the war and strengthening democratic institutions, also emphasizing the need for this activity to continue. She also reaffirmed our country's strengthened and multidimensional support to Ukraine.Luminita Odobescu also referred to the organization's contribution to the process of holding the Russian Federation responsible for breaches of the International Humanitarian Law and human rights committed in Ukraine and the need for the OSCE to continue the documentation process.At the same time, the Romanian Foreign minister reiterated the need for the organization and the autonomous institutions to be able to fulfil their mandate, the appointment of the future OSCE Chairmanship and the leadership team being essential, as well as the approval of the organization's budget. She gave assurances that Romania will continue to actively support the organization in order to ensure its proper functioning. In context, Luminita Odobescu welcomed Finland taking over the chairmanship-in-office of the OSCE in 2025.