The first joint meeting of the Romanian and Turkish governments is a big step forward, a step that will bring the two countries even closer together strategically, economically and socially, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

„We are certainly witnessing today the most important moment in the relationship between Romania and Turkey since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between our countries in 2011. And I say this because by formalising the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council, we were practically able to organise the first joint government meeting between Romania and Turkey. This is a big step forward, a step that will bring our countries and nations even closer together, both strategically and economically and socially. And here I would like to congratulate President Erdogan for this initiative!”, said Marcel Ciolacu during the statements made with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the end of the official meetings held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Agerpres reports.

He said he was honoured that Romania had thus earned its well-deserved place and was officially recognised as „a country of primary interest” for Turkey.

At the same time, the head of the Romanian executive highlighted the friendly relations between Romania and Turkey that have been strengthened over time.

„President Erdogan is a visionary leader who has always known who his true friends are. And Romania has responded accordingly, so that today we speak of Turkey as our main economic partner outside the EU, one of our most important allies in NATO, a strategic regional partner and a good neighbour and friend. And I insist on the idea of friendship, because, beyond anything else, I think that is what has linked our nations most over the years. When the need arose, Romania responded and stood by Turkey. Last year, after that terrible earthquake, Romanians were here from the first moments and helped save lives. Such moments of deep solidarity bring us today to the point where we can talk about an unprecedented development of relations between our countries,” said Ciolacu.

In this context, the Prime Minister thanked President Erdogan for the „special gesture” he made towards Romanian citizens regarding the travel regime.

„With today’s decision, Romanians who wish to travel to Turkey will be able to do so only with their ID card, and will no longer need a passport. We know very well that many Romanians prefer Turkey as a tourist destination and I think this will help a lot”, said Ciolacu.

The Prime Minister also mentioned another very important decision agreed with the Turkish side, with an impact on Romanian farmers, regarding the resumption of exports and transit of meat and live animals to Turkey.

„This is a huge opportunity for Romanian producers to have access to a huge market, but at the same time they will be able to establish solid trade routes with other areas of interest in the region and the Middle East,” Ciolacu said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that such measures are needed to achieve the ambitious economic goals that the two sides have set themselves.

„Last year we exceeded $10 billion in economic exchanges, but together we have set an ambitious target of $15 billion to tick off in the coming years. And we can only do this if we continue to encourage the presence of Turkish companies in the Romanian market, mirroring a stronger representation of Romanian companies in Turkey,” Ciolacu said.

Last but not least, the Romanian Prime Minister expressed his conviction that the success of this first meeting between the Romanian and Turkish governments will pave the way for the development of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

„I would like to thank the members of the two delegations for making it possible to conclude today’s documents, which will give even more substance to the bilateral cooperation. I hope, Mr. President, to have you as our guest in Bucharest shortly, together with your ministers, to organize the next meeting of our governments”, Ciolacu added.

At the end of the joint meeting of the two governments, in the presence of Prime Minister Ciolacu and President Erdogan, several bilateral documents were signed:

• Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on the work activities of family members of members of diplomatic missions and consular posts;
• Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in the field of urbanization;
• Administrative Arrangement on the implementation of the Agreement between Romania and the Republic of Turkey in the field of social security;
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in the field of tourism;
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania and the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey.
• Protocol between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey in the field of education and training of law enforcement personnel.

The government delegation accompanying Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on his official visit to Ankara includes Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacșu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu, Minister of National Defence Angel Tîlvăr, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu, Minister of Justice Alina Gorghiu, Minister of Education, Ligia Deca, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Radu Oprea, Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration, Adrian Veștea, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Florin Barbu, Minister of Health, Alexandru Rafila, Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity, Simona Oprescu, President of ANSVSA, Alexandru Bociu.