Romania – Meeting between Catherine Colonna and her Romanian counterpart (17 November 2023)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna will meet with her Romanian counterpart, Luminița Odobescu, in Paris on November 20.

France and Romania have a longstanding relationship based on trust and friendship and work closely together, both on a bilateral basis and within Europe. At their meeting, the two ministers will discuss bilateral cooperation on defense and major international crises, particularly the situation in the Middle East and the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Minister Colonna will reaffirm France’s involvement – having assumed the role of framework nation of NATO’s multinational battle group in Romania – in strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defense posture on Europe’s eastern flank. This military deployment is a very concrete example of France’s commitment to the security of its European partners.

We will also reiterate our joint determination to provide Ukraine with long-term support in every area and we will commend Romanian efforts to develop solidarity lanes for the export of Ukrainian grain. We will also reaffirm France’s support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain extremely vigilant in this regard.

Lastly, we will discuss the EU’s enlargement prospects and how it must prepare for them.