Deputy PM Birchall: 'There's excellent relationship between Romania and Italy built on strategic partnership'

According to a Romanian government press statement, Birchall extended greetings from Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and mentioned the Romanian government's interest in continuing dialogue for deepening and consolidating the enhanced strategic partnership, underlining that Italy is one of Romania's most important strategic partners. 

The two officials highlighted the special character of the relationship between Romania and Italy and the shared interest in maintaining the intense pace of the bilateral dialogue and strengthening their economic co-operation. 

At the same time, it was emphasised the importance of continuing the exchange of views on current EU and international affairs, as well as the dialogue for preparing the Romanian presidency of the EU Council. 

"There is an excellent relationship between Romania and Italy built on two decades of strategic partnership and a decade of enhanced strategic partnership. Romania and Italy are united by membership of NATO and the European Union and implicitly by sharing common values such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The strong historical ties between Romania and Italy underpinned by common affiliation with the Latin spirit and spiritual and cultural affinities stand at the foundation of the long tradition of friendship and co-operation between our countries. A solid bridge between the two countries is represented by the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania," said Birchall. 

She also mentioned the developments in economic and sectoral co-operation in 2018, with an estimated value of bilateral economic exchanges being standing at over 15.5 billion euros, the highest value in the history of trade between the two countries. 

Birchall highlighted the "substantial potential for developing economic relationships in areas such as infrastructure, renewable resources, food, pharmaceuticals and IT industries." 

She also presented to the Italian official the state aid scheme approved by the government, which was promoted by Birchall at the Ischia Film Festival in July 2018, reiterating the invitation to Italian filmmakers to make co-productions in Romania. 

About Romania holding the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019, Birchall reiterated that Romania is committed to acting "as a genuine impartial mediator and a facilitator of consensus so as to be able to successfully carry out its duties for the six months of the term of office and advance the European agenda." 

Birchall thanked Salvini for supporting Romania's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, as well as for supporting Romania's bid for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Economic Development (OECD) membership.