Speaker Dragnea asks Italian IntMin Salvini to protect Italy's 1.2 million-strong Romanian community

Dragnea welcomed Salvini on a visit to Bucharest on Tuesday, to discuss co-operation within the framework of the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries, co-operation in the context of Romania's holding the presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019 and the situation of the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania. 

According to a press statement released by the Chamber of Deputies, Dragnea asked the Italian Government to support the 1.2-million-strong Romanian community, showing that it has an important role and actively contributes to the economic development their host country. 

Salvini agreed on the proposal, voicing full support for Romanian families who are integrated with and respected by the Italian society. 

Dragnea and Salvini reviewed the status of bilateral economic and cultural relations, amidst the current topics debated at a European level. 

Talks highlighted a common perspective on topics on the European public agenda, such as the future of the EU, the Multiannual Financial Framework, cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the internal market or the enlargement of the EU. There were also some convergence points on migration in terms of co-operation with countries of origin and with third countries to combat the root causes of migration. 

Dragnea mentioned that the programme of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union will have the citizen at the forefront. "Our efforts will be focused on the advancement of legislative and non-legislative files that can bring tangible results to European citizens, thus leading to a stronger, more democratic and closer union with its citizens. Romania's programme will focus on four pillars: convergence, security, common values and Europe's global outlook," said Dragnea.

Agerpres