Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Wednesday that he will discuss with interim President Ilie Bolojan the mandate of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Head of the Executive mentioned that Emil Hurezeanu is „an exceptional diplomat, a man with expertise, with experience, an excellent ambassador”, but the new policy of the US administration shows „a different dynamic”.

He was asked by journalists in Constanta what displeases him about the activity of Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu, and whether he is responsible for the „deterioration of relations with the United States”.

„I am not dissatisfied with anything in particular. It is obvious that the new policy of the United States administration (…) is in a different dynamic. Mr. Hurezeanu is an exceptional diplomat, a man with expertise, with experience, an excellent ambassador. I am firmly convinced that as Foreign Minister, for Europe, he would be very sought after, but we live in a different dynamic, I am not dissatisfied with anything else. Now, it is normal for us to rethink the collaboration and to come to meet the new administration in the United States. (…) This will be discussed, first of all, with the interim president, with Mr. Bolojan. Even if he is the interim president of Romania, the attributions in the foreign area, constitutionally, are with the president of Romania and I am firmly convinced that we will find the best solutions. I would not like us to remain with this not exactly true news: sir, Mr. Hurezeanu is not a good Foreign Minister! No, we live in a different logic,” declared Marcel Ciolacu.

Asked if he was considering dismissing Hurezeanu from office, the prime minister replied: „I am not dismissing anyone, I just announced that I will have a discussion with the interim president of Romania, Mr. Bolojan.”

„I do not propose changes or no changes, although it is my attribute. A different dynamic is needed in the relationship with the United States. From my point of view, it is normal that I respect the European Union, the European Commission, it is normal that Romania’s place is in the EU, but Romania now has a security priority, and Romania’s security is based first and foremost on NATO membership and the Strategic Partnership with the US. We still have a war on the border, Romania having the longest border in Europe with Ukraine, namely 650 kilometers. It is normal that we want a new approach. (…) We do not have to choose between the EU and the Strategic Partnership with the US,” Ciolacu conveyed.

He maintained that the relationship with the US „is not damaged”, when asked how Romania is improving its relationship with the United States.

„We are improving it every day, first of all, it is not damaged,” the prime minister declared.

The Prime Minister added that the announcement from the American side regarding the Visa Waiver Program is related to „the Trump administration’s new immigration policy.”

„At this moment, it is an announcement, an announcement… It is not related to Romania, it is related to the new immigration policy of the Trump administration. The only Visa Waiver program that had not been implemented was Romania’s. It is normal that there was a delay in implementing the program, but you will see that there will be some measures that will target all the states that benefit from the Visa Waiver Program. (…) We are waiting for all the clarifications,” explained Marcel Ciolacu.

The Prime Minister participated, together with the Minister of Development, Cseke Attila, at the handover ceremony of the Constanta Casino from MDLPA to the Constanta City Hall.

AGERPRES