Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu will attend the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, July 18, where European foreign ministers will have an in-depth exchange of views on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Digi 24 reports.

“With regard to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Minister Bogdan Aurescu will present the Romanian side’s assessment of developments on the ground and the consequences for regional security. He will also express support for maintaining pressure on Russia and strengthening the sanctions regime against it, as well as on EU support for Ukraine, including through the allocation of a new financial tranche through the European Peace Facility (EPF),” reads an MFA press release.

Also, on this occasion, “the Romanian Foreign Minister will present the most recent measures adopted by Romania to facilitate grain exports from Ukraine, including the opening of new border crossing points, the completion of works on the broad gauge railway line in the port of Galati, as well as Romania’s agreement to the transit of the Chilia and Bastia canals by third flag vessels loaded with grain”.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba will also take part in the discussion on Ukraine via video conference.

On the geopolitical consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the implementation of the EU Action Plan, he will reiterate his support for European diplomatic efforts to further isolate Russia internationally and present Romania’s concrete steps in dialogue with third partners with the aim of combating Russia’s narrative. He will stress the importance of stepping up EU support for the states of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, regions particularly vulnerable to the actions of the Russian Federation.

“Minister Bogdan Aurescu will also present the results of the second edition of the Ministerial Conference of the Support Platform for the Republic of Moldova, hosted and co-chaired with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, and the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships of France, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou,” according to the MFA.

The meeting, which succeeded in raising financial assistance worth 615 million euros, including over 432 million euros in grants, focused on supporting Moldova’s reform efforts, including in view of achieving the objectives set by the European Commission’s Opinion of 17 June 2022, which proposed that Moldova be granted EU candidate status, a proposal that was materialised at the European Council of 23-24 June.

In this context, the MFA states that Minister Bogdan Aurescu “will encourage EU Member States to continue to provide direct assistance to the Republic of Moldova during this difficult period”.