ForMin Aurescu, in Brest, supports elements that reflect best Romania's interests tailored to EU global strategy

Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu supported on Thursday, in Brest, France, a series of elements that would best reflect Romania's interests, during the informal meeting on the elaboration of the Strategic Compass and the security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, informs a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

As for the Strategic Compass, Aurescu welcomed the evolution of the document that will define this instrument that must, in the opinion of the Romanian side, have a practical character, in accordance with the principles of the EU Global Strategy of 2016.

"Thus, (Aurescu, ed. n.) said that it is necessary to clearly highlight the complementarity and partnership with NATO and the US, in particular. He stressed the importance of an adequate reflection of the current security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, including in the wider Black Sea region. He recalled the impact on European security of the protracted conflicts in the Black Sea region and advocated an increased EU commitment to resolving them, including through the strategic document under discussion. He added that in-depth discussions are needed regarding the EU's rapid intervention capacity, taking into account the need to ensure full complementarity with NATO and avoid any duplication, and to strengthen the instruments for combating hybrid threats," the MAE release said.

The discussion on the security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood took place in the context of deteriorating security environment in the region and recent developments. Bogdan Aurescu presented Romania's assessment of these and stressed the importance of the EU unit, based on the common principles and values, and the continued preparation of the adoption of firm and credible measures to deter Russia, including sanctions, to be adopted in case of continuing the aggressive, escalating approach on the part of Russia, while strengthening the resilience of Ukraine and the other partners in the Eastern Neighbourhood, the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need for concrete de-escalation of the security situation, as well as the fact that attempts to undermine the current parameters of the European security architecture remain unacceptable.

According to the MAE release, Aurescu emphasised the need to intensify the EU-US and EU-NATO partnerships, as well as to reflect the adequate security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, including in the context of the elaboration of the Strategic Compass.

The Romanian foreign minister reiterated the importance of increasing the EU's involvement in the management and resolution of the protracted conflicts in the wider Black Sea region, given the impact on the security situation in Eastern Europe and starting from the results of the tour carried out in the South Caucasus in June last year, together with the Austrian and Lithuanian counterparts, in coordination with and with the mandate of the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

He reiterated his support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and welcomed the visit made by High Representative Josep Borrell earlier this month, confirming the EU's "strong" commitment to this country.