Visit to Berlin of Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu
Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu paid an official visit to Berlin on Monday, September 4, 2023, where she had meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, and the German Chancellor’s Advisor on European Affairs, Dr. Undine Ruge.
The meetings reaffirmed the complex and trusting bilateral relationship with strategic value between Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany, which is also reflected in the increased dynamism of the high-level dialogue.
During the meeting with his German counterpart, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined the importance of the prospects for the development of a solid economic relations between the two countries, with a focus on boosting joint economic projects and capitalizing of German investment potential in important areas of the Romanian economy: infrastructure, energy, agriculture and food industry, circular economy, digitalization, defence industry.
The discussions highlighted the interest of both sides in coordinating positions on topical issues on the European and international agenda, in the light of the multiple crises caused by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
During the meetings, joint European and international efforts to strengthen multidimensional support to Ukraine were also discussed. In this context, Minister Luminița Odobescu presented the Romanian side’s efforts to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports, especially to the most vulnerable regions of the world.
The Romanian official reiterated the strong condemnation of the Russian Federation’s attacks against the population and civilian infrastructure, including Ukrainian ports on the Danube near the border with Romania. Referring to the attacks during the night of 3-4 September, she pointed out that the means used by the Russian Federation did not pose a direct military threat to Romania’s territory or territorial waters. She informed that the Ministry of National Defence has taken measures of increased vigilance in the national land, sea and airspace, contributing to the strengthening of the defence and deterrence posture on the Eastern flank, in accordance with national and allied plans.
The Romanian minister called for further consistent European support for Moldova to strengthen its resilience in the face of current threats, including through the Moldova Support Platform, an initiative launched by Romania, Germany and France.
An important topic on the agenda of the talks was Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the state of play of the steps taken by the Romanian side, while both the head of the German diplomacy and the Chancellor’s advisor on European affairs reiterated Germany’s firm support for Romania’s achievement of this important objective.
At the end of the bilateral consultations, the two ministers held a joint press conference, available in video format here: https://www.mae.ro/node/62730.
The following is a transcript of the statements made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu at the joint press conference:
Good afternoon,
I would like to thank the German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, thank you, dear Annalena for your kind invitation to visit Berlin, for the hospitality and for the open and consistent dialogue we had.
During our discussions, I expressed, first of all, our gratitude for Germany’s swift support in providing medical care to our patients, victims of recent LNG gas explosions in Romania, a clear proof of solidarity provided by our close partner and friend. We are in constant contact with the medical facilities where they are being treated. We wish them a speedy recovery!
Our dialogue today reconfirmed the complex and reliable bilateral relation with strategic value, the sustained dynamic of the high-level dialogue, the broad economic and sectorial cooperation, as well as our traditional strong social interconnections.
We highlighted the positive trend of our bilateral economic exchanges, Germany being Romania’s first trade partner, as well as the significant presence of German investors in the Romanian economy. We would like to see their presence increase in the coming period, especially in areas such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, food industry, circular economy, defence industry.
We also discussed about the important role the German minority in Romania and the growing Romanian community in Germany – people very well integrated and active contributors to Germany’s socio-economic development – play in enhancing the relationship between the two countries.
In addition to strengthening bilateral relations, Romania and Germany have intensified the coordination on current issues on the EU, NATO and international agenda, especially in the context of the multiple crises generated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
I thus highlighted the importance of implementing the decisions adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius on strengthening the Alliance’s posture, including by promoting a structured approach to collective efforts in support of Black Sea security.
I reaffirmed Romania’s support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as our full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, victims of Russia’s aggression.
Romania condemns in the strongest terms the continued Russian attack on innocent people and civilian infrastructure, including on the Danube, close to the Romanian border. We work with the international community to bring those responsible to justice.
Romania is taking additional measures to increase the transit capacity of Ukrainian cereals, via the Danube corridor and the Black Sea. More than 22.5 million tons of cereals has already transited Romania, and our support will continue.
We highlighted Romania’s and Germany’s similar positions in regard to the Republic of Moldova, including in terms of coordination on key issues, such as continuing to provide consistent support to Chișinău on its European path and to strengthening its resilience in the face of current threats, including through the Moldova Support Platform, an initiative launched by Romania, Germany and France.
The very good dialogue we have had today has highlighted the common objective we share, to contribute to strengthening European unity and solidarity. Both Romania and Germany support a stronger and more resilient European Union.
The issue regarding Romania’s accession to the Schengen area was, of course, discussed. I took this opportunity to thank my German counterpart for her strong messages of support and for Germany’s commitment to support Romania in actively pursuing its efforts in this regard.
I also stress the absolute determination of the Romanian Government to continue its action at all political and diplomatic levels in order to mobilise the unanimous support necessary for the adoption of the accession decision.
My country makes an essential contribution to ensuring the internal security of the whole Union, an aspect appreciated by all our European partners.
I have also expressed the support for the advancement of the EU enlargement process, both in the Union’s Eastern Neighbourhood and in the Western Balkans region.
I reiterated that the European integration of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine is a major political priority and the short-term goal is to reach a positive decision by the end of this year on the opening of accession negotiations with both countries.
In conclusion, let me once again thank you, dear Annalena, for the warm welcome and for today’s substantial discussions.
Thank you!
Transcript of the Q&A session
Reporter: I have a question for the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are reports that Romanian territory was hit today by Russian drones or pieces of Russian drones. There are also reports that maybe the Ukrainians shut down these drones and pieces fell on your territory. Could you tell us what exactly happened?
Luminița Odobescu: As I said in the beginning, Romania firmly condemns the attacks targeting the Ukrainian ports on the Danube, the civilian infrastructure elements, considering them unjustified and breaking the humanitarian rules. The Ministry of Defense and all the institutions responsible in the field monitor in real time the situation generated by the Russian drone attacks conducted last night against the infrastructure of the Reni port. The drone attacks conducted by the Russian Federation did not pose any direct military threats against our national territory or Romania’s territorial waters. Our Ministry of National Defense continued to implement the enhanced vigilance measures on the ground, maritime and air space, as well as the measure destined to consolidate the defense and deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank in accordance with the national and allies’ plan.
Reporter: I have another question. You said there was no threat at any time, but is it possible that your territory was accidentally hit?
Luminița Odobescu: Of course, there is a risk, because what happens there is very close to our borders. Practically, we can see, as the Minister also indicated, from our part of the Danube, we can see what’s going on there. And we have seen that practically Russia cynically attacks and continues to attack the civilian infrastructure, not allowing Ukraine to export their cereals. Of course, there is a risk of accident or incidents, but for the time being, it was not the case.
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