Oana Țoiu met with American Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “I changed opinions on topics of mutual bilateral interest”
Oana Ţiu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met in Vienna with the American Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, the discussions aimed at expanding cooperation in the field of civil nuclear and natural gas, against the background of Romania in the Aiea Governors Council.
Chris Wright and Oana Ţoiu, bilateral discussions in Vienna. Photo: X/Oana Ţoiu
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Țoiu, had an important meeting in Vienna, with the US Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, in the margin of the 69th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA). The discussions aimed at strengthening the cooperation between Romania and the United States in the field of civil nuclear energy, as well as the development of common projects on natural gas and regional energy resilience.
Oana Țoiu emphasized Romania's interest in extending the Strategic Partnership with the US in the field of energy, emphasizing the potential of small modular reactors (SMR) and on the importance of collaboration in the natural gas sector as part of the energy transition.
“Constructive and fruitful discussion today in Vienna with Chris Wright, the secretary of the Energy Department of the United States. We have changed opinions on topics of mutual bilateral interest, including projects in the field of nuclear and natural gas. We have also discussed energy resilience,” wrote Oana Țoiu on the X platform.
The meeting takes place in the context of the sustained diplomatic efforts of Romania to obtain a place in the Council of Governors AIEA for the mandate 2025-2027, so that, during the session of the Vienna General Conference, Oana Ţoiu promoted the candidacy, reaffirming the firm commitment of Romania for peaceful, safe and responsible use of nuclear energy.
In the discussions with the general director of AIEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Oana Țoiu presented the strategic projects of Romania in the nuclear field, namely the re -technologicalization of unit 1 from Cernavoda, the development of units 3 and 4, but also the implementation of the SMR technology.
On the agenda of the meetings were regional security topics. The minister expressed the deep concern of Romania towards the safety of the nuclear power plant in Zaporojie, under the control of the Russian Federation, as well as concerns about the Iranian nuclear program.
The vote for the designation of members in the Board of Governors Aiea will take place on Thursday, September 18, at the end of a diplomatic process that has spread over a year and a half.
