Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann will visit Romania between 29.09 and 01.10.2024, accompanied by a delegation of approximately 30 people.
He will meet on Monday, in Bucharest, for bilateral discussions with President Klaus Werner Iohannis and Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu. The purpose of the visit is to deepen economic and energy policy relations between the state of Baden-Württemberg and Romania, and to promote European integration in the Danube Region.
On the occasion of the meeting with Prime Minister Ciolacu, a Joint Declaration of Intent will be signed regarding the expansion of relations between the state of Baden-Württemberg and Romania. The two sides have been collaborating since 2004 within a mixed government commission, and since 2011 they have been implementing joint projects through the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Since then, relations have successfully developed both economically and in many other areas.
In the Joint Declaration, both parties reaffirm their support for the Republic of Moldova in its path towards integration into the European Union and express their readiness to invite government representatives from Moldova to the meetings of the Joint Government Commission.
Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann emphasizes on this occasion: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine shows us once again how important cohesion is within Europe. Romania is a pillar of stability in South-Eastern Europe and an important European partner for us, especially in terms of cooperation in the Danube Region. We need strong allies who share our values and with whom we can promote European integration.”
Ambassador Dr. Peer Gebauer states: “The state of Baden-Württemberg and Romania have already had a close cooperation for decades. As I come from Baden-Württemberg, I am particularly pleased with the visit of Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann – an important signal for the further expansion of relations. Through the high-level political meetings and the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent, the foundations for collaboration in new areas will be laid. And the joint support given to the Republic of Moldova is also an important signal. There is a great potential for cooperation in the economic and energy fields between Romania and the state of Baden-Württemberg, which will contribute to a sustainable transformation in Europe.”
Moreover, during the meeting at the Victoria Palace, a Declaration of Intent between the two Interior Ministries in the field of civil protection will be signed.
On Monday, Prime Minister Kretschmann will also meet with representatives of the German minority in Romania, as well as with other partner organizations. The delegation intends to visit the National Museum of the “Dimitrie Gusti” Village, which will give them an insight into traditional rural life and the history of Romania.
On Tuesday morning, there will be a round table organized by the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania), which will address energy issues, with an emphasis on the energy transition and collaboration in the field of green hydrogen. Romania plays a key role in the region for energy security and energy independence from Russia.
Finally, the delegation will continue its journey to Chisinau, in the Republic of Moldova.
