Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean met on Tuesday with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, as part of the visit he is paying to Rome at the invitation of Italy’s Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) reports in a release sent late on Tuesday.

‘During the meeting, the two officials reconfirmed the excellent level of the Romanian-Italian ties, reflected both in the consolidated Strategic Partnership and the dynamics of the political-diplomatic dialogue, and in the development of the social and cultural cooperation. The ministers also emphasized the upwards evolution of the two countries’ trade exchanges, with the top Romanian diplomat evoking a series of economic opportunities for the Italian investors, such as the major projects in road infrastructure or agriculture. On this occasion, the Romanian foreign minister conveyed the message of Prime Minister Victor Ponta for his Italian counterpart, reconfirming (Romania’s – editor’s note) wish to speed up the bilateral cooperation in all domains and achieve tight coordination, considering the upcoming Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Particular attention was paid to the cooperation as regards European affairs considering Italy’s Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2014, with Italy’s priorities including the stimulation of economic growth and the fight against youth unemployment across Europe,’ the release reads.

According to this source, Minister Corlatean voiced hope that a balanced attention would be paid to the dimensions of the southern and eastern neighbourhood of the EU during Italy’s EU Council chairmanship.

In addition, the two officials tackled the developments within the Eastern Partnership, underscoring the need to firmly back the European path of the Republic of Moldova. As for the other developments in the eastern neighbourhood, the ministers voiced concern about the political crisis that has gripped Ukraine for more than two months.

During the dialogue, Titus Corlatean and Enrico Letta also exchanged views on major international and European topics of shared interest, with the convergence of Romania’s and Italy’s viewpoints being highlighted on the occasion.

 

Italy reaffirms support for Romania’s Schengen accession

 

Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Titus Corlatean met on Tuesday in Rome with his Italian counterpart, Emma Bonino, who reaffirmed her country’s support for Romania’s Schengen accession, informs a release of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

‘Italy’s support for Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area was reiterated, with the Italian official underscoring that this has been a steadfast element of the Italian diplomacy in relation with Romania and that it will also feature as a topic of interest on the future agenda of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European union,’ the Foreign Ministry informs.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the major themes approached by the two officials envisaged bilateral relations and economic cooperation, sectoral cooperation included, the European agenda in the light of Italy’s taking over the Presidency of the EU Council in the second semester of this year, the Eastern Neighborhood with focus on the European roadmap of the Republic of Moldova and the ‘concerning’ developments in Ukraine. Also highlighted were elements of interest in the stance taken by Romania and Italy in the perspective of the NATO Summit this year.

The two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and developments in Syria. The two officials also explored opportunities for cooperation within international organizations, especially inside the United Nations system, insisting also on the mutual support of the candidacies of the two countries.

Titus Corlatean and Emma Bonino pointed out the need for strengthening the Romania – Italy Strategic Partnership, as well as the two states’ unity of vision in a number of cases of mutual interest. Thus, the parties agreed to intensify bilateral political dialogue in all areas, with focus on economic cooperation, given that Italy is the second largest trading partner for Romania. Furthermore, the two officials underscored the importance of both the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian business community in Romania for the development of the relationship between the two countries.

Approaching developments in the eastern neighbourhood of the EU, the Romanian Minister remarked the successful model represented by the Republic of Moldova and the constant and concrete commitment of this country to its relationship with the EU. Corlatean emphasized the importance of adopting as soon as possible the decisions on the visa-free travel of Moldovan citizens and of signing the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement.

The two parties also agreed on the importance of supporting the Republic of Moldova on its European track and maintaining the pace of the already initiated irreversible reform processes. In this context, the Italian Foreign Minister accepted the invitation to attend the meeting of the Group of Republic of Moldova friends, which will take place at the initiative of Romania, on February 10, on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council.

The two officials also exchanged views on subjects of interest on the NATO agenda. Minister Titus Corlatean specified that Romania celebrates in 2014 ten years since joining the North Atlantic Alliance and reiterated Romania’s support for the open door policy.

The meeting of the two top diplomats took place in the context of the visit the Romanian ForMin is paying to Rome at the invitation of his Italian counterpart.