Minister of Foreign Affairs Emil Hurezeanu had on Tuesday separate meetings in Brussels with EC Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu, and with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, highlighting on the occasion the security situation in the Black Sea and the need to support Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said in a release.
At the meeting with the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Social rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Minzatu, the foreign minister discussed a series of files of relevance to the current European agenda for maintaining support for the EU enlargement process, continuing support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, developing a strategic vision for the Black Sea, promoting convergence and cohesion goals in the negotiations on the future post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, or consolidating European action on defense.
Resilience aspects were also approached in the perspective of the EU Preparedness Strategy that Roxana Minzatu will coordinate.
At the meeting with Marta Kos, Emil Hurezeanu approached topics such as the European Union enlargement process, the Republic of Moldova and the complex situation at the Black Sea. The Romanian top diplomat welcomed the European Commission's recent announcement regarding the grant of an EUR 30 million emergency assistance package for the Republic of Moldova, a first step of a broader EU approach to support the country amid the current energy crisis.
Also, Minister Emil Hurezeanu cautioned that, with Moldova's approaching 2025 parliamentary election, Russia's hybrid actions against Chisinau will intensify, and the democratic administration needs strengthened European support and that of the member states to increase its resilience in the face of these attacks.
With regard to the enlargement process, the foreign minister stressed that EU accession remains a key instrument for projecting stability, peace and security in Europe, and that enlargement must continue based on the merits of each of the partners, which requires determination in implementing irreversible reforms in all areas.
The two officials also had a brief exchange of views on the status and accession prospects of each EU candidate state.
Regarding the European path of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, Minister Emil Hurezeanu thanked the European Commission for presenting the screening reports on the first thematic group of chapters (Cluster 1), which show that both states have made progress in the reform process, and expressed hope that accession negotiations will open during the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
In the context of the Black Sea geopolitical and security developments, Hurezeanu emphasized the need for a more ambitious EU approach to this region, including by developing a dedicated strategy, which could have connectivity and security as its main pillars. AGERPRES