Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and visiting German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday discussed, at a meeting at the Government House, deepening bilateral relations, economic and security co-operation, Romania’s full accession to the Schengen area, as well as issues of European interest ahead of the incoming European election.

According to a press release of the Romanian Government, Ciolacu thanked his German counterpart for Germany’s support and his personal support for Romania’s accession to the border-free Schengen area, a process in which Romania continues to count on Germany’s support, so that land border controls are eliminated as soon as possible.

Both senior officials also appreciated the excellent level of bilateral political dialogue and economic co-operation, with Germany being Romania’s most important trading partner and the second investor in the Romanian economy.

„An important objective of the Romanian Government is to boost investment using all the opportunities Romania has, including under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The interest so far of German investors in Romania is encouraging and certainly opens important new perspectives to co-operate in reference areas for the transformation of the Romanian economy, starting with projects in transport and energy infrastructure, digital transformation, green energy, the defence industry and many others,” Ciolacu is quoted as saying in the press release.

Also, Ciolacu and Scholz touched on „major topics of interest to the nationals of the European Union that must be reflected on the agenda of the new European Parliament to be elected in June, given the security threats generated by the Russian aggression on Ukraine right near the European borders; the prospects for EU enlargement, and also challenges related to migration, achieving green and digital transition objectives and strengthening the European internal market.

For all this and for defending the democratic values that underpin the entire European construction, unity, cohesion, solidarity and poise are needed – both officials agreed.

AGERPRES