The relations between Romania and France are not ordinary bilateral relations, we have a long history and a very stable future,” President Nicusor Dan told a press conference on Tuesday after the meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

He added that the discussions within his working visit were „extremely cordial.”

Furthermore, he stated that, within the meeting, he addressed the perspective of investments in the defence industry through the SAFE programme.

The head of state said that in terms of the Romanian defence industry, there have been several stages: one in which „we bought without asking for anything” and a second, „when we bought and set the condition that things had to happen in Romania and once the order was completed, the investment was no longer relevant.”

Romania currently „wants the investments which SAFE brings to our defence programme to become permanent investments,” the head of state pointed out.

President Nicusor Dan added that he invited President Macron to Romania and the French president confirmed that the visit will take place next year.

The head of state mentioned that he talked with his French counterpart about economy and French investments in Romania, with President Macron underscoring that, in the vast majority of cases, the French investments in Romania are long-term strategic investments and not speculative investments.

„We talked about concrete matters, such as the investment in Tarnita, which a French company wants to make in the energy area. We discussed about the Republic of Moldova and found out that our standpoints are aligned on this matter and, of course, we talked about the other topics of the European agenda. You know we have a European Council meeting at the end of next week, with several topics: the multiannual budget, the support for Ukraine and everything else. And we shared our experience regarding the hybrid war, including in terms of disinformation which is a challenge for all of us and we agreed to learn from each other,” the head of state pointed out.

Nicusor Dan also said that he tried, within the discussions with the French press, to provide a realistic picture of Romania.

„I believe we matured enough to no longer say one thing back home and another abroad. I tried to describe Romania as it is, with the challenges and opportunities that it provides and with the place and role it understands itself to have within international institutions, especially within the European Union,” the head of state pointed out.

The Elysee leader shared a video on his X account alongside President Nicusor Dan.

„I am very content to welcome the Romanian president on his first visit as president, even if he knows our country very well,” Emmanuel Macron said, greeting his counterpart with „Welcome!” in Romanian.

In his turn, Nicusor Dan said: „I believe that we have a partnership and that there is room to strengthen it in the areas of security, economy and cultural exchanges.”

Emmanuel Macron said that Romania and France had achieved a lot in the past months for the bilateral relation, for Europe and for Ukraine. At the end, French President Macron said „Long live the friendship between Romania and France!.” AGERPRES