Romania's deputy FM says AL-EU summit good platform for dialogue

CAIRO - 8 February 2019: Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister Monica Gheorghita asserted the importance of a summit to be held between the Arab League (AL) and the European Union (EU) on February 24 and 25 in Sharm el Sheikh.

Describing the summit as a step for developing relations between the European and Arab countries, Gheorghita said that she considers it also as a good platform for dialogue between the AL and the EU.

In pre-departure statements to MENA after her two-day visit to Egypt, Gheorghita expressed pleasure that the summit will be held for the first time during Romania's chairmanship of the EU.

Romania, as the EU president, is committed to holding dialogue and negotiations to promote regional cooperation and find solutions to the Middle East crises, Gheorghita said.

These solutions will be implemented through cooperation between the Arab and European countries along with the key international players, Gheorghita added.

Gheorghita said that this approach goes in line with Egypt's foreign policy and priorities during its presidency of the African Union.

Gheorghita pointed out that she had fruitful talks during her visit to Egypt to mull boosting bilateral relations as well as economic and trade cooperation, she said.

She added that Egypt is Romania's first trade partner in the Middle East and Africa regions, representing 17.3% of her country's total trade exchange with both regions.

Trade exchange between Egypt and Romania hit one billion dollars in 2018, with a 60% increase compared with 2017, she said.