President Dan met the Romnian heads of diplomatic missions: Externally, we are experiencing multiple crises; diplomacy must adapt

President Nicusor Dan underscored on Tuesday that diplomacy must adapt, taking into account the multiple external crises of recent years: the war in Ukraine, global competition over economy and resources, hybrid warfare."Where are we today? Domestically, as you know, the Romanian state needs reform and right after reform, we must relaunch the economy and I'm very optimistic we can achieve this thing. Externally, we are experiencing multiple crises for several years now: the war in Ukraine, a global competition that has shifted, it become more intense, focused on the economy, on resources, technology is becoming increasingly important; hybrid warfare, including in our own region of Europe. In the face of these changes, it's clear that diplomacy must adapt and I am convinced we have the strength to do so," President Nicusor Dan stated at the meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions, consular offices and directors of Romanian Cultural Institutes, held on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy (RADR).The head of state mentioned that the commitment to the European Union, NATO, as well as the Strategic Partnership with the United States must remain predictable and coherent, along with the observance for international law, the rules-based global order and dialogue and cooperation with international partners."These are things we will not change. There are three directions which our activity must focus or which we should emphasize: security, the economic dimension and Romanians abroad," Nicusor Dan showed. The Republic of Moldova must remain a priority, President Nicusor Dan said on Tuesday, voicing optimism that the citizens of this country will continue to support the European path in the parliamentary elections that are going to take place at the end of September."The Republic of Moldova must remain a priority. We shall continue to support both the efforts to join the Union and all the concrete matters which the Republic of Moldova needs: transport, energy, economic cooperation. I am optimistic that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will continue - in the elections that will take place at the end of next month - on the European path," Nicusor Dan said at the meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions, heads of consular offices and directors of Romanian cultural institutes accredited abroad, on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy.He underscored that Romania will continue granting support to Ukraine and collaborating with its partners to this end.During the meeting at the Cotroceni Palace, the head of state highlighted that Romania must insist on three aspects: security, the economic dimension and Romanians abroad.According to the president, Romania will continue to be a NATO ally and is interested in the Black Sea area."In this respect, we must use the Bucharest 9 format. We shall organise the Bucharest 9 summit next year. We must invest in defence. The SAFE [Security Action for Europe] instrument of the European Commission, for which we have already sent proposals, is a way to do that," Nicusor Dan added.   President Nicusor Dan stated on Tuesday that the negotiations regarding the future Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union should be carried out in parallel with an internal reflection process regarding Romania's development directions.At the meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions, consular offices and directors of Romanian Cultural Institutes, occasioned by the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy (RADR), the President drew attention that this reflection process has not taken place.According to the president, Romania needs to have a stronger presence in the European Union."The economic dimension. Obviously, our membership to the European Union, where we have to be more present, negotiations for the future multiannual financial framework, which must take place alongside a reflection process that, in my view, we have not had internally, regarding Romania's development directions as of 2028," Nicusor Dan explained.The head of state supported the strengthening of the Strategic Partnership with the US, adding that it has not been "sufficiently" capitalized on in the economic area."The Strategic Partnership with the US must be strengthened, especially in the area of security and the economic area, which, in my view, we have not sufficiently capitalized on. And I invite you to contribute to the new National Defence Strategy, which we are to complete this autumn. An important component - the hybrid warfare one, which, in my opinion, just like all our partners, we continue to learn about," Nicusor Dan added at the meeting held at the Cotroceni Palace.The President highlighted that Romania's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) represents a strategic objective, with the deadline at end-2026."That will be the moment when Romania's economy - after completing the necessary reforms, which are currently unfolding - will begin to relaunch. We have a private environment which is competitive and I am optimistic that we will succeed in doing so," he mentioned. The Presidency and Government should define Romania's strategic economic priorities through dialogue with domestic companies, President Nicusor Dan also said on Tuesday.During a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions, consular offices and directors of Romanian cultural institutes, held as part of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, he advocated for the involvement of the diplomatic corps in this process.'We need a domestic effort in which the Presidency, the Government and the Ministry of Economy define Romania's strategic economic priorities, in dialogue with companies in Romania, a dialogue we have not had, to be very honest, and we also need your effort to enable Romania's private sector to develop partnerships and grow economically in the countries where you represent us,' said Nicusor Dan.The head of state underlined that such a strategy is necessary in the context of Romania's accession to the OECD and the country's economic recovery.'Romania's accession to the OECD - a strategic objective, with a deadline at the end of 2026. That will be the moment when Romania's economy - after completing the necessary reforms currently under way - should begin to recover. We have a private sector that is competitive, and I am optimistic that we will succeed. But for that, we need a strategy - which we currently lack, to be very realistic - and we need your effort, which, to put it very directly, our diplomatic service is not used to making,' he added.The President also highlighted the opportunities offered by Romania's geographical position, which could allow the country to become a connectivity hub between Europe and Asia, and Africa.'We have an opportunity related to our geographical position. Romania should and can become a connectivity hub between Europe and Asia and Africa. We need to work on this. The Black Sea strategy must be part of this broader strategy,' he concluded. (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)