Iohannis: While holding EU Council Presidency, Romania will explore ways to bring India, EU closer

At a joint news conference with visiting India's Vice-President Venkaiah M. Naidu at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Wednesday, President Klaus Iohannis said that while holding the presidency of the Council of the Union European Union Romania will explore avenues to bring India and the European Union closer together.

"We also approached the ever closer collaboration between the European Union and India, both partners with increased convergence of views on current global affairs. Even from its position of the holder of the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2019, Romania will seek to explore those ways of action that can bring India and the EU closer together," said Iohannis.

He added that Naidu is accompanied by a sizeable business delegation, mentioning that during their talks he encouraged boosting economic relations and Indian investment in Romania.

"We also agreed that priority should be given to development, co-operation in the areas of culture, education and tourism, areas that have demonstrated throughout the history of the traditional relations between Romania and India that they are true friendship bridges," he said.

The president mentioned that during the talks, the security situation in the regions where the two countries are located was analysed, with emphasis on the developments in the Black Sea region and in the extended vicinity of India.

"This agenda naturally led us to an exchange of views on issues relevant to the United Nations, its agenda and institutional architecture in the future, all the more so as as early as next week, leaders from around the world will meet at the UN headquarters in New York for the annual general meeting," said Iohannis.

The president added that he particularly appreciates the fact that Romania and India share "not just similar visions, but also common goals and commitments." He stressed Naidu's visit took place in the year when Romania celebrates 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties with India, and five years since the establishment of an extended partnership between the two countries.

"Our friendship, collaboration and understanding relationships have an excellent tradition and are supported by cultural and spiritual affinities that have marked generations of young people and intellectuals. I am convinced that the discussions that we have today will contribute in a real and palpable manner to the further development of these links," said Iohannis.

India's Vice-President Venkaiah M. Naidu, visiting Romania September 18-20, on Wednesday morning met Chairman of the Romanian Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and Speaker of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea.

At a meeting with Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, which is scheduled for later in the day at the Government House, the two officials are to sign a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Romania and India on tourism co-operation. AGERPRES (RO - author: Irinela Visan, editor: Catalina Matei; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Adina Panaitescu)

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