Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday met James O’Brien, coordinator of the Office of Sanctions Coordination within the US State Department, the two discussing about the security climate in the Black Sea, in the context of the recent Russian attacks on infrastructure objectives in Ukraine, write Agerpres.

According to a press release sent on Thursday to AGERPRES by the Government, the Prime Minister welcomed the adoption by the US Administration of the Strategy regarding the Black Sea and showed the openness of the Romanian Executive to work closely in the coming period to achieve the objectives of this strategy.

„The Romanian side also expressed its appreciation for the adoption by the American Senate of the law on the authorization of the US defence budget (National Defence Authorization Act/NDAA), which also includes the Black Sea Security Act bill. This represents a new signal regarding the strong bipartisan support the security of the Black Sea, as a region of strategic importance for the Euro-Atlantic community, enjoys at the level of the US Congress, alongside the other important decisions which shape a strategic framework for approaching the Black Sea region by the US Administration, including following dialogue and close consultation with Romania,” the press release also states.

The two high officials also reaffirmed their support for the security and stability of the Republic of Moldova, as an essential part for the security of the Black Sea region. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu reaffirmed Romania’s decision to support Ukraine for the continuation of grain exports to global markets, following the unilateral decision of the Russian Federation not to extend the Black Sea Grains Initiative and presented the complex measures implemented by the Government to improve cross-border connectivity with Ukraine, which contributed to the increase of transit capacities at the border points, states the abovementioned press release.

According to the same source, for the Romanian side, the use and development of already existing transit capacities and the engagement of support, including financial, from the United States of America and the European Commission for projects aimed at increasing storage and export capacities through the ports of Galati and Constanta remain a priority. The meeting provided a good opportunity to review economic cooperation, as well as the growing bilateral trade, as well as American investments in Romania, adds the Executive’s press release. The joint efforts regarding the progress regarding the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver Program were also highlighted and appreciated.