UPDATE/President Iohannis meets Italian PM: Pleased our communities not merely accepted but integrated

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Thursday that the relation between Romania and Italy is a good one, pointing out that one of the positive matters is that both the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian one in Romania are not "merely accepted, but integrated."

"Our bilateral relation between Romania and Italy is a good, very good one. This shows in many domains," Iohannis said at Cotroceni Presidential Palace after the meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, on a visit in Bucharest.

He mentioned the political relations, the economic exchanges and the almost identical stance with regard to European policy.

"As we are both politicians, we have multiple, very good exchanges in the political area and we also have similar or even identical stances in several matters of European policy, of international policy. I am pleased with these things. We have had a good collaboration between us so far, that I would particularly like to appreciate on this occasion. There is the great economic relation between Italy and Romania, important commercial exchanges. Italy is Romania's second largest partner. And we also have something in common, which is very special and positive - the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania. We are both pleased that these mutual communities are not merely accepted, but they have also integrated very well and Italians are very welcome and very well integrated in Romania, with a large community of business people and the large Romanian community - 1,300,000 Romanians live in Italy - it is a community that is well integrated and very well accepted in Italy ," Iohannis affirmed.

The head of state specified that he also discussed with the Italian official on European topics.

"Romania is up for an interesting period, a rather tough trial period. As of 1 January we will hold the Presidency of the Council [Council of the European Union, ed.n.]. We have discussed these matters," Iohannis said.

He showed that the talks also tackled the multi-annual financial Framework post-2020 and the Brexit case.

"Perhaps it will surprise that among the very positive things I have mentioned in these discussions the migration issue. (...) Italy's policy, the policy under the leadership of Mr President of the Ministers' Council, Mr. Gentiloni, has led to a dramatic drop in migration influx in the Mediterranean Sea. A very wise, efficient policy," said President Iohannis who congratulated Italy's PM for the policy in migration control in the Mediterranean Sea.

The head of state added in the context that a European management and control system of migration and the strengthening of the European Union's outer border are needed, also recalling PESCO.

President Iohannis specified that "burning" international issues were also tackled during the talks. AGERPRES (RO - author: Florentina Peia, editor: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - author: Simona Iacob, editor: Bogdan Gabaroi)

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