Ilie Bolojan presented from Paris the security guarantees requested for Romania in France, as well as the conclusions of the meeting on Ukraine and European security, which he attended Wednesday evening.
The interim president obtained confirmation from Emmanuel Macron that French troops will remain in Romania, and their presence will even be strengthened soon.
At the war meeting, one of the conclusions was that Ukraine's security is also the security of Europe and Romania, and a just and fair peace cannot be achieved without the participation of Ukraine and the European Union.
When asked if Romania has received any request from the US to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, Bolojan replied: "In this period, considering the various scenarios that may arise, this subject is also being discussed, and Romania will form its opinion in the coming period, depending on the situation."
Here are the most important statements made by the interim president from the Romanian Embassy in Paris:
- We have once again ensured that, just as France has been with Romania in very important moments of our country's history, it remains with us today.
- We have reaffirmed the strategic partnership with France.
- We have reaffirmed the stability of the French military presence in Romania, at our country's request.
- We have a significant French contingent, which, alongside the contingents of allied countries, including the United States, contributes to our country's security, and we have confirmed that this presence will be strengthened in the coming period.
- We have confirmed the continuation of cooperation and development in the economic and defense industry sectors, considering not only regional needs but also the possibility for this industry to be a development hub in Romania in the coming years.
- I thank President Macron for this meeting and for his friendship towards our country.
- Ukraine's security is also the security of Europe and Romania.
- We, from Eastern Europe, know what this is about, and Monday marks 3 years since Russia's aggression.
- In these years (since the 2022 invasion), our shield has been NATO.
- We are not standing by Ukraine only out of a humanitarian sentiment, primarily for this reason and injustice, but also out of a strategic interest for our country.
- Collaboration between European countries and the United States of America can be the best formula for resolving this crisis in a way that not only leads to a ceasefire, which is very good, but also to a just peace, so that in the coming years, a new conflict does not reoccur, and this just and fair peace cannot be achieved without the participation of Ukraine and the European Union.
- An important support package is being prepared to be adopted at the next European Council. It is about a financial and military package, which does not mean military forces, but armament.
The interim president Ilie Bolojan was welcomed by Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace with a guard of honor.
He left the country early in the morning on a regular flight to represent Romania at the second meeting in Paris on the topic of Ukraine and European security.
However, Bolojan had a bilateral meeting with the President of France beforehand.
Bolojan is accompanied by Luminița Odobescu, presidential advisor for European affairs.
France hosted a second meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss Ukraine and European security, but this time invited European countries that were not present earlier this week, including Romania, as well as NATO ally Canada.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted an important summit in Paris on Monday, dedicated to the situation in Ukraine and European security.