Prime Minister of Baden-Wurttemberg, received by President Iohannis

President Klaus Iohannis received on Monday, at the Cotroceni Palace, the Prime Minister of State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, in a context in which the latter expressed his firm support for the fastest possible accession of Romania to the Schengen area with land borders, "which will contribute to ensuring the growth of economic exchanges", reports the Presidential Administration.The two high officials expressed support for the development of cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, social and educational fields, including the expansion of successful projects regarding dual professional education. The emphasis was also placed on the development opportunities of investments from Baden-Wurttemberg in the Romanian economy and on the continuation of cooperation within the framework offered by the EU Strategy for the Danube region.Also emphasized was the "essential role" played by the German minority in Romania and the Romanians who settled in Germany for the consolidation of relations and cooperation, including at the social and economic level.Klaus Iohannis appreciated the signing of the "Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation between Romania and the state of Baden-Wurttemberg" by the Prime Minister of Romania and the Prime Minister of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, a declaration that contributes to the strengthening of sectoral relations and facilitates the expansion of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the identification of joint projects in support of the Republic of Moldova, within the scope of the activities of the Romania-Baden-Wurttemberg Joint Governmental Commission.At the same time, the Romanian head of state highlighted the importance of continuing economic support and the European path of the Republic of Moldova, which is one of the countries very affected by the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.Iohannis and Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann also addressed the security situation, emphasizing Romania's and Germany's decision to continue supporting Ukraine's defense, as well as its European perspective.European developments were also discussed, from the perspective of the results of the elections for the European Parliament and the formation of the new European Commission. The desire was emphasized that, through the closer cooperation of the member states and the streamlining of procedures, the European Union better responds both to the need to ensure European competitiveness on a global scale, and to the current needs and fears of citizens, in order to defend democracy and the project European in the face of the growing influence of populist-extremist forces.