Romanian President Klaus Iohannis welcomed at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Wednesday Portuguese Republic Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho, who is currently paying an official visit to Bucharest, according to Agerpres.

According to the Presidential Administration, President Klaus Iohannis appreciated on this occasion as well the excellent bilateral relation, enhanced not only by the cultural affinities, but also by the cooperation and projects in various areas, as well as by the converging objectives and the close coordination of the two countries on a European and international level.

President Iohannis highlighted the dynamics of the recent political dialogue, bringing to mind the visit of Prime Minister Antonio Costa to Romania, in the context of strengthening the cooperation in the area of security and defence between the two countries and hailed the presence of Minister Cravinho as a special guest in the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, „a proof of the importance of the diplomatic dialogue and bilateral cooperation strengthening.”

Iohannis reiterated Romania’s appreciation for Portugal’s decision to participate in the NATO multi-national presence in Romania with a land force contingent and underscored the excellent cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

„Through this gesture of solidarity and unity, Portugal has joined the common efforts to consolidate the allied deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank,” reads the Presidential Administration release.

Based on the decisions made on the occasion of the visit of the Portuguese Prime Minister in Bucharest, Romania’s President encouraged the continuation of the collaboration demarches in the areas with special potential, such as defence, renewable energy, digital governance, the modernisation of the health systems, education, agriculture and environment.

President Klaus Iohannis and Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho had an opinion exchange on topical matters on the European agenda, generated mainly by the regional security situation and the development of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The Portuguese Foreign Minister hailed the dynamics of the high-level political dialogue and the excellent cooperation between Romania and Portugal, including in the context of the Portuguese military presence in Romania, appreciating the similitude of stances in terms of foreign policy.

He highlighted the important role of the Romanian community in Portugal in consolidating the connections between the two countries, appreciating its integration and contribution to the development of the Portuguese economy and society.

The Portuguese Foreign Minister also underscored the interest of Portuguese companies in investing in Romania in areas such as energy, agriculture or health.

Agerpres