Political

FAC meeting in Luxembourg /// Bogdan Aurescu proposed the establishment of a new sanctions regime against those who act against the constitutional order of the Republic of Moldova

Foreign ministers from European Union member states, meeting in Luxembourg on Monday for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), are expected to reach a political agreement to establish a new sanctions regime against those who act to destabilise the state and against the constitutional order of the Republic of Moldova, Agerpres reports. The proposal was made by Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu at the Foreign Affairs Council.

MAE România
Sursa: MAE România

"I believe this is the fastest process of creating a sanctions regime in the history of the European Union. I am very happy that this will be a very important tool to strengthen the resilience and security of the Republic of Moldova in the context of actions orchestrated by Russia, such as demonstrations or subversive actions against the constitutional order of the Republic of Moldova, which we have witnessed in recent months," Aurescu said upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

According to him, it is very important that this sanctions regime is adopted, because any measure taken to increase the security of the Republic of Moldova will also strengthen the security of Romania and its citizens.

"We are already working with the Moldovan authorities on the first list of persons to be sanctioned once the sanctions regime is adopted. These measures, which will include travel bans and asset freezes for such persons or entities involved in such destabilising actions, will not only represent sanctions against these persons, but will also act as a deterrent to further such actions in the future," explained the Romanian Head of Diplomacy.

At the same time, another important item on the agenda will be the adoption of the decision to create a civilian EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova, which Romania has strongly supported and which will also contribute to increasing the resilience and security of the Republic of Moldova, as it will fight against hybrid actions, disinformation, actions targeting the cyber security of the country and will also improve the management of crisis situations in the Republic of Moldova. Romania will propose experts to participate in this Mission, said the Romanian Foreign Minister.

Last but not least, regarding the Republic of Moldova, Bogdan Aurescu said he would encourage further assistance to the country under the European Peace Facility. A decision in this regard will be taken at the beginning of May, he said, adding that it is very important that the Republic of Moldova remains on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council and that, within the Council, he will revive his proposal to have the protracted conflicts in the Black Sea region on the agenda of a future Foreign Affairs Council before the summer. It is also important that the EU continues to pay attention to this very relevant issue.

At the Luxembourg meeting, foreign ministers will also discuss the EU Action Plan on the effects of Russia's war against Ukraine, and in this context, the head of Romanian diplomacy will present Romania's efforts to raise awareness among third countries, including those in Latin America, in the context of the visits Romania's president is making these days to three Latin American countries to counter the Russian narrative.

Bogdan Aurescu strongly condemned the statements by the Chinese ambassador in Paris, which call into question the sovereignty of states that have gained or regained their independence since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Such statements are unacceptable and contravene the UN Charter, stressed the Romanian Foreign Minister.

Also on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg are the reform process in Georgia, in the presence of the country's foreign minister, and the situation in Sudan - immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, better coordination between EU member states for the evacuation of European citizens from Sudan.

At the end of his statement, Aurescu expressed Romania's gratitude to the French authorities for facilitating the safe evacuation of nine Romanian citizens and one family member from Sudan to Djibouti on Sunday and Monday.

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