Supporting Ukraine is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the defense of the rules-based international order, and in the absence of a regional approach there is a risk of further aggression in the Black Sea, and the long-term solution depends on a secure, prosperous and connected region of Black Sea’s, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, said on Friday at The Black Sea Region as a Global Inflection Point event, organized by the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C., a release by the Foreign Affairs Ministry reads.

„In the Black Sea, Moscow’s aggression has clear political objectives. It seeks to create an alternative regional order, in which states have limited sovereignty, unilaterally imposed by the great powers. (…) The final result of Russia’s challenge to the international order based on the rules of the Black Sea region will be reflected at the global level. It will have profound and direct implications not only for our security, but also for US security and the ability of the US to lead a diverse global coalition in support of the rules-based international order,” the Romanian chief diplomat said.

She pointed out that all the major actors currently challenging the rules-based international order „have gradually aligned themselves and have a simultaneous, active involvement in the Black Sea region in support of Russian aggression”, mentioning here Iran, North Korea and China.

She reiterated the importance of the US’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region and welcomed the intense dialogue on this topic between Romania and the United States. At the same time, she reviewed Romania’s efforts to promote security, stability and resilience in the Black Sea region, implemented both nationally and through the fruition of multilateral cooperation opportunities. She reiterated Romania’s firm support for Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the other EU and NATO partner states in the Black Sea region and emphasized Romania’s commitment and sustained efforts to facilitate exports of agricultural products from Ukraine, the MAE press release also reads.

The minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, made, between June 19-21, 2024, a working visit to the United States of America, organized in the context of the 20th anniversary of Romania’s accession to NATO, as well as the 9th sessions of the Strategic Dialogue between Romania and the United States of America.

AGERPRES