President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday that the Republic of Moldova remains a key foreign policy priority for Romania, citing the impact of Russian aggression and the importance of Moldova's European integration.
"Obviously, the Russian aggression directly affects the Republic of Moldova, which remains a key foreign policy priority for us. I do not think we need to explain why anymore - we will not be indifferent to the fate of a state where Romanian is spoken and felt. We want every political or administrative decision, every high-level or technical meeting to bring us closer, until we find ourselves where we belong, in the great European family. The European integration of the Republic of Moldova represents one of the ways to be together. As we know from our own experience, accession to the EU is also an excellent instrument for economic development, modernization and countering the foreign interference the neighboring state has been constantly subjected to after declaring independence," Nicusor Dan said at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Romania.
According to the president, Romania's accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is also a strategic goal.
"Decisive steps have already been taken, and the inter-institutional effort to complete the accession process in 2026 will continue. This accession represents a national objective supported consensually by both the power and the opposition. Along with the budget balancing process, OECD membership will represent, at the end of 2026 - or mid-2026, an additional instrument for promoting the Romanian economy, a strong, stable economy that offers credibility to foreign investors and creditors," Nicusor Dan added.
In this context, Romania intends to adopt "a more active approach to economic diplomacy".
"We will continue to strengthen both relations with Romania's strategic partners and those with the European Union's global partners. From this perspective, I welcome the positive results of the negotiations on the expansion of free trade between the European Union and several global partners, Mercosur, Mexico, India, Indonesia. Romania intends to fully capitalize on all these new opportunities to strengthen relations with our partners for the benefit of its citizens," Nicusor Dan mentioned.
He showed that Romania will continue to play an active role in supporting stability at a global level, mentioning in this regard that "diplomatic solutions based on international law" will be encouraged in the Middle East.
"I welcome the efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, which led to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of the hostages. Romania will maintain its humanitarian engagement in Gaza, including through medical assistance for children," the head of state added.
He indicated that Romania will continue to support the Western Balkan states, adding that their European integration can ensure the security and prosperity of this area.
"Last but not least, Romania will continue to develop its relations with the Caucasus states through mutually beneficial partnerships, understood as instruments for stabilizing and developing the region," the head of state also mentioned.
He went on to say that a "complicated and difficult to predict" period lies ahead. "Perhaps this fact alone, the awareness of unpredictability, represents the only indisputable aspect in this period of global resettlement, paradigm shifts and complex foreign policy calculations. Therefore, Romania will seek to actively participate in rethinking and rendering the multilateral system more efficient. We will be a trusted partner that supports and promotes democratic values and international law. I am thinking in particular of the United Nations, which this year will elect a new Secretary General and which will have to adjust to these new global circumstances. I also have in mind our membership of La Francophonie, where Romania wishes to assume greater responsibilities," the president also mentioned.
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