The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is making an official visit to Romania on Thursday, where he will have meetings with President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. For security reasons, the detailed schedule of the visit has not been made public.
Volodymyr Zelenski, official visit to Romania. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
According to a press release sent by the Presidential Administration of Romania, the high-level consultations take place in the context of the four years since Russia launched the war against Ukraine on February 24.
“The high-level bilateral consultations will take place in the context of the recent completion, on February 24, of four years since Russia launched the war of aggression against Ukraine”the Presidential Administration sent.
The institution emphasizes that Romania has provided constant support to Kiev since the first days of the conflict and currently participates in international efforts to achieve lasting peace.
“Romania has offered, since the first days, multidimensional support to Ukraine and is currently contributing to international efforts for a just and lasting peace, accompanied by solid security guarantees for Ukraine”the release states.
The agenda of the talks between the two heads of state will include topics related to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in several fields.
“The agenda of the discussions between the President of Romania and the President of Ukraine will include topics that facilitate the consolidation of a comprehensive, constructive, future-oriented bilateral relationship. The discussions will focus on the development of political dialogue, the intensification of economic cooperation, sectoral cooperation in areas such as energy and defense industries, the development of connectivity and cross-border projects, and on the role of Romania in the reconstruction process of Ukraine”the release states.
The two leaders will also discuss topical issues such as the European Union enlargement process, the transatlantic relationship, security in the Black Sea region and recent geopolitical developments.
During the meeting, the situation of the Romanian minority in Ukraine will also be addressed.
“Equally, the President of Romania will refer to the need to advance the bilateral dialogue in the field of respecting the rights of persons belonging to the Romanian minority in Ukraine, including the right to education in the mother tongue”states the Presidential Administration.
During the visit, the Ukrainian president will also have a meeting with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan at the Victoria Palace. The time of the meeting was not made public for security reasons.
Volodymyr Zelenski also paid an official visit to Romania on October 10, 2023, when he was received at the Cotroceni Palace by the president at the time, Klaus Iohannis.
Nicușor Dan's message four years after the war
On the four-year anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, President Nicușor Dan said that Russia's aggression represents one of the most serious security crises in Europe.
“Four years ago, one of the most terrible scenarios for Europe was becoming a reality. Russia attacked Ukraine, unleashing a merciless war against a nation that refused to be defeated. Since then, Ukraine has been fighting for all of us and maintaining the security of our entire continent with admirable courage and resilience. Broken families, unimaginable dramas, lost lives, all these represent huge sacrifices and efforts, for which we are grateful to the people Ukrainian”, sent the head of state.
He emphasized that Romania will continue to support Ukraine.
“Together with our partners in the European Union, we maintain that negotiations to end the war must continue until the conditions for a just peace are met, with security guarantees that prevent the possibility of any new conflict. Peace in Ukraine means peace for Europe. Anyone who threatens our citizens must know that our strength stands in unity. And the European Union is becoming stronger and more solidary”, Nicuşor Dan also showed.
