President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that the NATO summit in Vilnius must have clear and substantial results for Ukraine and showed that Romania will continue to be a strong supporter of Kyiv, write Agerpres.

The head of state also stressed that allies must not forget vulnerable partners in the region, especially the Republic of Moldova, and pointed out that close cooperation with Chisinau must continue.

„Ukraine remains at the centre of our efforts. The Summit must deliver clear and substantial results for Kyiv, by advancing our political and practical support, including for Ukraine’s concrete, measurable progress towards NATO membership. Romania’s support for Ukraine and its aspiration to become a full ally is well known. We will continue to be a strong supporter of Kyiv ,” the Romanian president told the conference after the meeting dedicated to the preparation of the Vilnius NATO Summit in The Hague.

He recalled that NATO allies agreed that Ukraine will become a member at the NATO summit held in Bucharest in 2008.

„In Vilnius, we must take this commitment further. It is about responsibility and trust in our relationship with Ukraine, but it is also about credibility for the Alliance. In Vilnius, we look forward to a meeting with President Zelensky, hopefully in the format of the new NATO-Ukraine Council,” Iohannis said.

He affirmed that the Republic of Moldova’s and Ukraine’s security are connected and that the security of these countries is linked to transatlantic security.

„We must not forget our most vulnerable partners in the region, especially the Republic of Moldova. Its security and that of Ukraine are connected. And their security is linked to our transatlantic security. If they are stronger, our region is stronger, the Black Sea is safer, and so the entire Allied territory is safer. We must continue to engage in close cooperation with Chisinau, especially given the huge efforts made by this country to support security and stability in the region since the beginning of the war,” the head of state said.

He reconfirmed Romania’s unwavering commitment to a stronger Alliance.

„As a dedicated Ally, Romania will continue to act as a responsible security provider in the Black Sea region. I look forward to the Vilnius Summit and all its concrete results!,” concluded Iohannis.

The meeting, held in The Hague at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, was also attended by the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland, the Prime Ministers of Albania, Belgium and Norway and NATO Secretary General.