Secretary of state for global affairs and diplomatic strategies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Traian Hristea and the personal representative for Francophony of the President of Romania, Sergiu Nistor, had a courtesy meeting with Othman Jerandi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and for Tunisians Abroad, on the sidelines of the Francophony Summit, which took place in Djerba, Tunisia, over November 19-20, 2022, informs a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to Agerpres.

On this occasion, the Romanian officials congratulated the Tunisian side for organizing the Francophony Summit and reviewed the prospects for further development of the bilateral relationship existing between the two states, in the context in which, in December 2023, Romania and Tunisia will celebrate 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Secretary of State Traian Hristea also had a meeting with Ouch Borith, Secretary of State with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia and Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The dialogue included an exchange of opinions on topical issues on a bilateral level, as well as a review of recent developments, both in their respective regions and within the regional organizations the two states belong to, as well as at the international level.

Thus, the Romanian official highlighted Romania’s particular interest in revitalizing the bilateral agenda, as well as relaunching political-diplomatic contacts in view of the celebration, in 2023, of 60 years of diplomatic relations. He reiterated the opportunity to diversify and strengthen the bilateral economic and trade relationship, as well as and the need for a strengthened bilateral dialogue in the consular field and congratulated the Kingdom of Cambodia for the rotating Presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During his meeting with Rui Figueiredo Soares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration of the Republic of Cabo Verde, the Romanian official discussed the prospects for the development of the bilateral relation between the two states, in the field of education and professional training, agriculture, emergency management, digitalization and cybersecurity, including within the framework offered by the Euro-African partnership. There was also an exchange of opinions regarding the regional situation, the Romanian side presenting its multidimensional efforts to support Ukraine, as well as its contribution to ensuring food security globally, including in the benefit of African states. The Romanian Secretary of State also conveyed his appreciation for the stability and democratic performance of Cabo Verde, a state that represents an example to be followed in the West African region.

The Romanian delegation also had discussions with representatives of the delegation of the Republic of Benin, during which a series of concrete projects of Romania that are meant to benefit of African states were presented, as well as the possibilities of accessing scholarships in Romania. The Romanian said appreciated, during the same dialogue, the principled position of Benin on the war in Ukraine, further encouraging the solidarity of the international community for the promotion of the principles of the UN Charter and the norms of international law. At the same time, they analyzed the worrisome developments concerning the expansion of the terrorist phenomenon of Sahelian origin to the states of the Gulf of Guinea, including Benin, as well as the prospects for the implementation of the African continental free trade zone.

The Romanian Secretary of State had a short meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Mrs. Aissata Tall Sall, during which he discussed a series of bilateral projects, such as the organization in Dakar, to the benefit of African states, between November 28 and December 2, 2022, of the 14th edition of the International Post-conflict Reconstruction and Stabilization Course, financed by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the International Development Cooperation Agency – RoAid.

Agerpres