The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, declared on Monday, after attending the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, that Romania’s humanitarian actions to support civilians in Gaza will continue in the next period.

„Regarding the developments in the Middle East, I expressed concern about the increasing volatility of the security situation that we see even in these days or hours. For Romania, it is extremely important to reach the end of hostilities both in Gaza and in Lebanon. In this regard, we support on the one hand the plan advanced by the U.S. administration, supported by Qatar and Egypt, in reference to Gaza, but also the efforts of France and the United States regarding a 21-day cessation of hostilities at the border between Israel and Lebanon. I believe that all parties have a responsibility to avoid the expansion of the war in the region. I also supported the importance of diplomatic efforts for the release of all the hostages in Gaza, and to ensure financial and humanitarian assistance both for the civilians in Gaza, as well as for those from Lebanon,” Minister Luminita Odobescu told AGERPRES.

She specified that, during the meeting, she presented the humanitarian efforts of Romania with regards to the aid sent to Lebanon, aid consisting of eight tonnes of food, but also the humanitarian efforts to support the civilians in Gaza, the last action aimed at bringing to Romania eight children together with their family members to be treated in hospitals in Romania, „actions that will continue in the next period”, as the head of Romanian diplomacy pointed out.

Luminita Odobescu said that, as to these humanitarian actions, Romania is in dialogue with its partners in the region to see exactly when is the most suitable moment in this direction.

„The security situation is volatile and we work in this sense when we can continue these humanitarian actions without endangering our colleagues who carry out these actions”, said Odobescu.

Minister Luminita Odobescu showed that the discussions within the Foreign Affairs Council focused on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova – in the context of the October 20 presidential elections and the referendum on joining the European Union and the situation in the Middle East. She also had a bilateral meeting with the foreign minister of the United Kingdom, David Lammy.

AGERPRES