Foreign policy priorities in 2017

Carrying over the presidential tradition of meeting with foreign ambassadors to Bucharest at the beginning of the year, President Klaus Iohannis outlined the priorities of Romanias foreign policy in 2017

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România Internațional, 19.01.2017, 13:55

Romania’s foreign and security policy will observe the same guidelines as before, President Klaus Iohannis has told foreign ambassadors to Bucharest. The president pointed out that the fundamental pillars of Romania’s foreign policy will remain the same in 2017, namely expanding the Strategic Partnership with the United States and consolidating the EU and NATO.

According to the Romanian President, combating illegal migration and terrorism remain on the priority list in 2017. On the other hand, the President said Romania is ready to take part in negotiations over Britain leaving the European Union, highlighting the fact that the result of negotiations should fully observe the rights of Romanian people working in Britain.

Klaus Iohannis said the Romanian-US Strategic Partnership will continue to develop after the swearing in of President Donald Trump, also as regards investment, research, education and, last but not least, lifting travel visas for Romanians. The President also referred to boosting strategic relations with Germany, France and Italy. The Strategic Partnership with Poland must continue to develop, the President argued, particularly with a view to ensuring regional security, but also at EU level, where the two countries share common objectives.

To an equal extent, the President insisted on expanding the strategic partnership with Turkey, which he sees as an indispensable ally in maintaining stability in the region. Closer cooperation with Baltic states and supporting the European and Euro-Atlantic integration efforts of states in the Western Balkans should also be part of Romania’s foreign policy agenda in 2017, as should be relations with Ukraine.

Klaus Iohannis also discussed about relations with neighboring Moldova, reiterating Romania’s expectation that the new president of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, should observe his constitutional prerogatives.

The President gave assurances that putting Moldova on an irreversible track towards EU accession remains Romania’s objective: “The Republic of Moldova needs stability and the devoted commitment of all political and institutional decision-making bodies with a view to continuing and consolidating the reform process. Reform is essential for modernizing Moldova and supporting its European accession efforts, to the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova”.

Klaus Iohannis believes Romania should focus on economic relations with states in Central Asia and the Middle East, arguing that relations with states in Asia, Latin America and Africa should be fostered more actively.