President Nicusor Dan: Romania supports ambitious EU budget, stronger NATO Eastern Flank

President Nicusor Dan discussed the European Union's future budget, strengthening NATO's Eastern Flank, defence industry cooperation and the EU enlargement process with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday, during a meeting in Rovaniemi on the sidelines of the European Summit on the Arctic Region.The head of state said in a Facebook post that the meeting reconfirmed the strength of relations between Romania and Germany and provided an opportunity to identify concrete ways of deepening the partnership between the two countries."We reviewed the priorities on the European agenda for the period ahead, particularly the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Romania supports the adoption of an ambitious European budget, the maintenance of a robust cohesion policy and adequate funding for agriculture," Nicusor Dan said.As far as security is concerned, the president stressed the need to strengthen NATO's Eastern Flank in response to threats posed by the Russian Federation, including drone incursions into Allied airspace."I appreciate Germany's support for strengthening the Allied deterrence and defence posture in our region. We also discussed the significant potential for cooperation between the Romanian and German defence industries in terms of investment, joint production and technology transfer," the head of state said.Another topic addressed during the meeting was the European Union enlargement process, which Nicusor Dan described as "a strategic investment in the security of the continent".In this context, the president noted the progress made by the Republic of Moldova and stressed the need to accelerate its European path."We addressed the EU enlargement process, a strategic investment in the security of the continent, with particular attention to the progress made by the Republic of Moldova, whose path, I stressed, must be strongly supported, including through the opening of all negotiating clusters without delay," Nicusor Dan said.President Nicusor Dan is in Finland, where he will attend the European Summit on the Arctic Region on Monday, hosted by the Republic of Finland in Rovaniemi.   The head of state will visit the Lapland Air Wing military base before travelling to the Arktikum Centre, where he will take part in the working session entitled 'Current Developments, Security and Future Outlook on the Arctic', attend the working lunch, 'The EU's Role and Actions in the Arctic', and visit the 'Arctic Opposites' exhibition. The President's programme on Monday will conclude with a joint press conference with the leaders participating in the Summit, at Lappia Hall.According to the Presidential Administration, the meeting is being organised at the initiative of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and brings together leaders of European countries - German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen - together with representatives of EU institutions, including European Council President Antonio Costa and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.The Summit aims to strengthen the European Union's strategic approach towards the Arctic region, against a backdrop of its growing geopolitical, economic and climate importance. The meeting will focus in particular on defining a more ambitious role for the EU in the security and economic development of the Arctic region.During the discussions, President Nicusor Dan will present Romania's vision for the coherent and unified management of challenges across the entire area stretching from the Arctic to the Black Sea, given that the security challenges facing these regions are interconnected.He will express Romania's interest and willingness to contribute to joint EU and NATO efforts by assuming responsibilities both in our region and in the wider region, as well as by engaging in concrete sectoral projects in areas such as the protection of critical infrastructure, strengthening defence capabilities and energy security.