Romania and Ukraine commit, through their bilateral strategic partnership, to enhance cooperation to ensure "the highest level of protection" of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in both countries, with full guarantees of linguistic rights and the "full exercise of rights related to preserving language, culture and ethnic identity", according to the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership signed on Thursday in Bucharest by Presidents Nicusor Dan and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In the chapter dedicated to the protection of national minorities in the two countries, Romania and Ukraine agree to guarantee by law the linguistic rights of minorities and ensure they are respected. The document, consulted by Agerpres, states that the parties commit "to ensure that the linguistic rights of persons belonging to the Romanian national minority (community) living in Ukraine and the Ukrainian national minority living in Romania are legally safeguarded and fully respected, in accordance with the national legislation and the international obligations and standards adhered to by Romania and Ukraine respectively".
The joint declaration underlines the importance of existing institutional mechanisms, with the two states recognising the importance of regular proceedings of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on the issue of ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities.
Regarding education in the mother tongue, the two states "exert all efforts to effectively ensure the rights to education in mother tongue" for the Romanian national minority (community) living in Ukraine and the Ukrainian national minority living in Romania, including by "creating the necessary conditions for the effective exercise of these rights". At the same time, the parties aim to increase access to education in national minority languages. The text also provides support for civil society involved in promoting these rights. Authorities will facilitate the activity of non-governmental organisations supporting mother-tongue education, including through "activities aimed at improving the quality of education in the mother tongue" or by "sustaining enrolment in public institutions having the mother tongue as the medium of instruction".
In addition, Romania and Ukraine commit to "take comprehensive measures" to protect the identity of minority communities. Specifically, the text states that the parties will act to ensure "the full exercise of rights related to the preservation of their language, culture and ethnic identity" of Romanians in Ukraine and Ukrainians in Romania, in areas where these communities traditionally live.
A separate point addresses the issue of differences between the names of the Romanian and "Moldovan" languages. In this regard, the two states will "maintain regular dialogue and exchange information regarding the implementation of commitments undertaken by the Ukrainian side regarding the resolution without delay of artificial differences between Romanian and "Moldovan" languages, including through the adoption of appropriate practical measures in line with relevant legal provisions".
The document also includes measures dedicated to Ukrainian refugee children in Romania, namely "to intensify joint efforts to enable education in the mother tongue for Ukrainian children temporarily displaced and granted temporary protection status in Romania".
In the field of cultural and academic cooperation, the agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Commission "on the research of issues of shared Romanian-Ukrainian history, culture and heritage".
The two states will also maintain constant dialogue in the religious field. The document stipulates that authorities will "ensure regular dialogue between their government agencies in charge of religious affairs and facilitate contacts between churches, religious denominations and organizations", while "fully acknowledging the separation between the Church and the State".
In order to streamline political dialogue within the strategic partnership, Romania and Ukraine also agreed to launch a High-Level Strategic Commission chaired by the Heads of State and to hold annual joint meetings of their governments.
"Close bilateral interaction in defence and security, transport connectivity, trade and energy, environment and agriculture is essential to respond effectively to threats to peace, security and stability" in the region. In this context, Romania and Ukraine agreed to strengthen trilateral strategic coordination with the Republic of Moldova "with a view to fostering a joint approach to addressing issues of common interest". Furthermore, the Parties also commit to ensuring, "whenever possible and feasible, the involvement of the Republic of Moldova in relevant bilateral undertakings".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid an official visit to Romania on Thursday. The Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Romania and Ukraine, signed on this occasion by the two heads of state, covers cooperation in several fields: politics and diplomacy, security and defence, Black Sea cooperation, cross-border connectivity, trade and economy, as well as environmental protection and legislative matters.
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