Bogdan Aurescu: We have the availability to build a gas depot of the Republic of Moldova on the Romanian territory
Romania is asking the European Union for more support for the Republic of Moldova, both to deal with the wave of war refugees from Ukraine and in the run-up to EU accession. Our country is willing to participate in Moldova’s energy security by building a gas depot in Romania, Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Monday. The head of the Romanian diplomacy also said, before the meeting of the EU foreign ministers, that the sanctions against Russia must be increased, in parallel with the fight against propaganda and misinformation from Moscow.
“We are closely monitoring ongoing discussions between the Russian and Ukrainian sides on the resolution of this conflict. But for these talks to work, an immediate cessation of military action in Ukraine is needed. We call on Russia to end its military aggression and evacuate troops from Ukraine. At the same time, we condemn the loss of life among civilians and Russia’s attacks on civilians and civilian targets, “Bogdan Aurescu said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Moreover, the Romanian minister insisted on new sanctions against Russia, warning at the same time about the danger of Russian propaganda and misinformation.
“Today we need to discuss what other measures we can take to support Ukraine, and I believe that we need to be available and as open as possible to the adoption of new sanctions against Russia. At the same time, it is important to see what we can do to combat war propaganda and the practical misinformation of Russia in Ukraine and to look at the conflict in Ukraine.
At the same time, we need to see what steps can be taken to further isolate Russia in international fora, and in this context I welcome the adoption today by the Ministers of the principles of Russia and Belarus in multilateral fora. I think it is important to work even harder together to isolate Russia on the international stage, “said Bogdan Aurescu.
Color for war refugees
The Romanian Foreign Minister also specified that the Republic of Moldova, the country that was transited by hundreds of thousands of refugees, needs more financial assistance from the EU states.
“Last but not least, it is important to deal with the humanitarian situation and the values of refugees. Romania, as the EU member state with the longest border with Ukraine, is looking to deal with the situation. Yesterday, more than 526,000 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania and we are trying to provide them with all possible facilities. We have also created green corridors to take over Ukrainian refugees from the Ukrainian border with the Republic of Moldova, directly on the Romanian territory, in order to reduce the pressure on the Moldovan authorities, who are overwhelmed by the number of refugees.
At the same time, it is very important to see how we can help the Republic of Moldova even more. We organized a logistics center in northern Romania to collect and transfer humanitarian assistance, not only to Ukraine, but also to the Republic of Moldova. We have already sent product assistance to the Republic of Moldova. As we have already mentioned, we are taking in refugees, but it is important that the EU and the Member States make greater efforts to provide financial assistance and to take in a number of refugees from the Republic of Moldova to EU countries, “he said. .
Aurescu: We need to help Moldova with energy security
Romania supports the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, together with Ukraine and Georgia, and our country is willing to contribute to the energy security of Moldova, through the reaction of a gas depot on our territory.
“At the same time, we need to talk about the European perspective of the Republic of Moldova. Romania supports the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, not only of Ukraine and Georgia. All three countries deserve to be a member of the European family, and this is not just a circumstantial request from the Republic of Moldova, for example. The Chisinau leadership is very committed to the reform process, the democratic reform process and the European road.
I am therefore looking forward to the discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Nicu Popescu. We also need to help the Republic of Moldova with energy security and work with them to identify alternative energy sources. We have the availability to host, in our depots, gas from the Republic of Moldova, and to build, in the medium term, a gas depot of the Republic of Moldova on the territory of Romania “, explained Bogdan Aurescu.
In this context, Romania supports the organization, on April 5, in Berlin, together with Germany and France, of a Support Conference for the Republic of Moldova, in order to create a Support Platform (“Moldova Support Platform”) and to encourage the provision of more aid to these countries, Aurescu added.
Editor: Bogdan Pacurar