Romanian Defense Minister Vasile Dincu attends a press conference with French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly (not seen in picture) in Bucharest, Romania, on Jan. 27, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
BUCHAREST, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday thanked France for its participation in the military presence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in his country while receiving French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly.
The pair discussed issues relevant to the Strategic Partnership between Romania and France, with a special focus on the defense component, the NATO and European Union agendas, and recent developments in the Black Sea region.
Referring to the European agenda, Iohannis voiced his appreciation for the highly ambitious goals set by France for its term at the helm of the EU Council Presidency. These goals should contribute to ongoing progress in security and defense, he said.
Parly presented the priorities of the French Presidency, with a focus on the Strategic Compass, projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation and the Common Security and Defense Policy, space policy, and cooperation on cyber security.
Earlier in the day, Romania's Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca and Defense Minister Vasile Dincu also held separate meetings with the French defense minister, discussing NATO's eastern flank security, and security cooperation.
Meanwhile, negotiations on Romania's purchase of four French Corvette ships, an important issue for local media, have entered the final stage. ■
Romanian Defense Minister Vasile Dincu (R) and French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly attend a press conference in Bucharest, Romania, on Jan. 27, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
