Klaus Iohannis, Teresa May meet in Brussels; talks about Brexit and Romanians in UK

AGERPRES special correspondent Madalina Cerban reports: President Klaus Iohannis Friday had a meeting in Brussels with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Theresa May, with whom he discussed the Brexit agreement and the situation of the Romanian community in the UK.

According to the Presidential Administration, the topics on the bilateral and European agenda were mainly tackled during the meeting, such as Britain's withdrawal process from the European Union.

At the same time, the Romanian president expressed hope that the efforts of the British Prime Minister will be reflected in the successful ratification in the London Parliament of the UK withdrawal agreement from the EU, aimed at ensuring an orderly withdrawal and certainty for citizens and the business community. Equally, talks on the ratification process must take into account all the elements that have already been agreed upon with the British Prime Minister through the withdrawal agreement, the Presidential Administration specifies.

"President Klaus Iohannis referred to the situation of the Romanian community in the UK and the fact that the withdrawal agreement will be an important point in guaranteeing the rights of those who live, work or study in this country. The President of Romania also emphasized the importance of observing the principles of non-discrimination, full reciprocity and equal treatment for all EU citizens, both recipients of the withdrawal agreement and those who will settle in the UK in the future," the Presidential Administration further shows.

According to the cited source, Klaus Iohannis mentioned the importance of discussing as soon as possible the agreement on the future EU relations with the United Kingdom as sign of commitment to maintaining a level of cooperation as high as possible with the British side.

Iohannis also said that our country fully supports the EU approach that wants this comprehensive and ambitious partnership with Britain after its withdrawal from the Union, covering diverse areas, from economic and trade cooperation to foreign policy, security and defense.

"Prime Minister Theresa May voiced her appreciation for the opportunity of the dialogue with President Klaus Iohannis, including from the outlook of the UK's withdrawal from the EU during the term of Romania's Presidency of the Council of the European Union," the Presidential Administration also shows. AGERPRES (RO - editor: Claudia Stanescu; EN - author: Simona Iacob, editor: Bogdan Gabaroi)