Belgium’s King Philippe was welcomed on Friday by President Klaus Iohannis as he touched down at the 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base.
The two state leaders will hold official talks, meet with troops stationed at the base and deliver speeches.
According the Presidential Administration, the President of Romania and the King of Belgium will discuss the priority topics of the bilateral agenda and ways to deepen European and international cooperation. A special focus will be on the crisis in Ukraine and its multidimensional impact, the cited source said.
“In addition to the official talks, the two high officials will meet with the Romanian, Belgian and other allied military, deployed on the Romanian territory as part of the Allied effort to strengthen the deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank, given the worsening of the security situation due to the Russian illegal aggression against Ukraine. The visit of His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians, takes place against the background of a strong bilateral dialogue at a high level and of the close Romanian-Belgian cooperation in the field of defense, especially in the context of the participation of the Kingdom of Belgium with a contingent in the NATO Battle Group in Romania,” the Presidential Administration’s release says.
“In the context of the humanitarian crisis caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, there will also be discussions about the assistance measures for Ukraine and the support of the Ukrainian refugees, including through the humanitarian hub in northeastern Suceava. The two high officials will also address the strengthening of support for the Republic of Moldova, given that it faces multiple challenges generated by the effects of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, including hosting a very large number of refugees,” the Presidential Administration also informs in the above-mentioned release.
Iohannis: NATO has the capacity to deal with any threats and challenges, present or future
The North Atlantic Alliance has the capacity to deal with any threats and challenges, present or future, said on Friday, President Klaus Iohannis, at the Mihail Kogalniceanu military air base, in southeastern Constanta County.
“Dear military, you are the concrete expression of our determination, as allies, to work together and coordinate to improve our common security. We have full confidence in you and in Alliance’s ability to face any threats and challenges, present or future!” said Iohannis, at the 57th Air Base Mihail Kogalniceanu, where he welcomed the King of Belgium, Philippe.
The president thanked for the important contribution of the Belgian military to the NATO presence in Romania.
“Together we are stronger and more efficient in our joint effort to strengthen the security of the Euro-Atlantic space and the safety of our citizens!” Klaus Iohannis emphasised.
King Philippe voices hope that war in Ukraine will end soon, says Western support will not end with the last cartridge fired
The King of Belgium, Philippe, expressed his hope, on Friday, at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in eastern Constanta County, that the war in Ukraine will end soon, pointing out that the support of the West will continue even after this moment.
“Today I feel strong emotions, anger, pride and hope. Anger because a sovereign nation has been brutally invaded in violation of international law. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has caused so much suffering for the first time in Europe, after so many decades, so much suffering among the population. Weapons have sown death and brought war to our continent again. I feel pride that the European countries have united in the face of these acts of barbarism, abuse and outpouring of violence. The European Union has responded with one voice, condemning the aggressor, adopting sanctions. NATO also reacted quickly, bringing troops and equipment to the Eastern Flank. Your presence here, military from seven NATO countries far from your country, sometimes in difficult conditions, shows that solidarity within the Alliance is put to the test in critical times. I came here to support you and your families who are far away from you and who miss you. I feel hope that this fight will end soon, that we will be able to rebuild a prosperous and free Ukraine. Western support will not end with the last cartridge fired. Our values will prevail – democracy, freedom, solidarity and respect for human rights,” said the King of Belgium.
President Iohannis, King of Belgium discuss security situation in the region, measures to help Ukrainian refugees
According to the Presidential Administration, during the talks, the two heads of state welcomed the positive dynamics of the bilateral relationship between Romania and Belgium, in multiple areas, and the close coordination at the European and international level.
President Iohannis praised the excellent results of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence and thanked King Philippe for Belgium’s contribution to the defence and deterrence measures on the Eastern Flank, especially for participating in the NATO Battle Group.
The same source said that, in terms of security and defense, the talks of the two heads of state focused on the security situation in the Black Sea region, in the context of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, as well as on measures to help Ukrainian refugees. In this context, President Klaus Iohannis underscored that Romania will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, while emphasizing the role of the Suceava hub for the transfer of international support to the benefit of this country.
The head of state also said that the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine brutally threatens the European security architecture and the international order, and that the Allies and partners must continue to act in a united and coordinated manner, both within NATO and at the European Union level. to diminish the impact of the multiple and profound effects of this war.
President Klaus Iohannis also presented Romania’s standpoint in support of the process of accession to the European Union of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, in the context of the European Commission’s opinions published on Friday and the decisions scheduled for next week’s European Council.
The two heads of state met with the Romanian, Belgian and other allied contingents at the Mihail Kogalniceanu 57th Air Base, whom they thanked for the way they carry out their missions, as part of the joint allied effort in the Black Sea region.
King Philippe’s visit takes place amid the strengthening of the high-level bilateral dialogue between Romania and Belgium, in addition to the close cooperation between the two states in the field of defence, including in the context of the Kingdom of Belgium’s participation with a military contingent to the NATO Battle Group in Romania, according to the Presidential Administration.
Compiled from Agerpres
Photo: www.presidency.ro
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