PM Dancila holds joint statements with President Erdogan: Romania-Turkey cooperation at very high level

The cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Turkey is at a very high level, being characterised by trust, mutual support and based on common values and interests, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated within the joint statements with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that were carried out in Ankara. 

"Our dialogue today was fruitful. We reviewed the coordinates of the strategic partnership between our countries, which dates back from 2011. The cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Turkey is at a very high level, being characterised by trust, mutual support and based on common values and interests. There is a permanent dialogue between the Romanian and Turkish authorities, both in a bilateral format and in regional framework, but also on the bilateral dimension. We cooperate on security and defence areas, as well as at the level of business milieu, the academia and in terms of culture," PM Dancila stated. 

Viorica Dancila mentioned that, during talks, also reviewed were the level of commercial exchanges between the two states, which recorded an upward trend. 

"In 2017, the value of Turkish-Romanian commercial exchanges stood at 5.1 billion euro and a significant increase compared to the same period of last year was recorded in the first two months of this year. There is still a huge potential that must be exploited," the PM said. 

Furthermore, Dancila underscored the cooperation between Romania and Turkey as NATO member states, which is carried out at "very good parameters." 

"Our countries share security concerns and interests and actively cooperate at bilateral and allied level in view of promoting the shared objectives and identifying the adequate responses for the current challenges. Our dialogue is honest and open, which facilitates a better mutual understanding and identifying the common points. We are committed to further deepen the dialogue and cooperation in this area," the PM stated. 

Dancila mentioned having conveyed to President Erdogan that Romania will further endorse the European journey of the Republic of Turkey. 

"We commend Turkey's undeniable contribution to the European security and I take advantage of this opportunity to convey words of appreciation for Turkey's efforts in managing migration, by hosting a large number of refugees on its territory," the Romanian Prime Minister said. 

Romania and Turkey successfully carried out common projects within the "Black Sea Basin" Joint Operational Programme, Dancila stated. 

"We want for this cooperation to further expand, to the benefit of our citizens. I have conveyed to Mr President our wish to take advantage of all the opportunities existing at the Black Sea regional level, in order to ensure economic growth, stability and security in this region," the PM added. 

Dancila expressed her joy for the fact that the Romanian-Turkish partnership is "solid, it further has a great development potential and, above all, there is desire of both sides to strengthen it." 

"The signing of some cooperation documents on the occasion of this visit represents a clear proof in this regard," the Romanian PM added. 

Viorica Dancila also mentioned in her speech the fact that this year marks 140 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Turkey and 80 years since upgrading the relations at the embassy level. 

"The year 2018 is, at the same time, an important year for Romania, in which we celebrate the Greater Union Centennial and I would like to thank the Turkish side, because this important event of Romanians was symbolically marked on Turkish soil by planting 100 olive trees in the Turkey-Romania Peace and Friendship Park, near Izmir," the PM stated. 

Prior to the joint statements, the two high officials attended the signing of some bilateral documents. 

Thus, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Higher Education between Romania's National Education Ministry and Turkey's Higher Education Council was signed by interim Education Minister Rovana Plumb, on behalf of the Romanian side, and by Chairman of the Higher Education Council Prof. M. A. Yekta Sarac, on behalf of the Turkish side.