António Costa in Bucharest: 'EU security is defended on the east'
Costa told Bucharest the EU will back Romania, resist Russian pressure and push merit-based enlargement for Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans.
President of the European Council António Costa said in Bucharest that the security of Europeans is closely tied to the stability of the EU's eastern border. After a meeting with President Nicușor Dan, Costa vowed that the European Union will continue to stand firmly with Romania and thanked the country for its consistent support for Ukraine.
Security, deterrence and enlargement
Costa stressed that attempts by Russia to intimidate European states or to undermine their unity will not succeed. He framed Romania's security as a shared European responsibility and said that a strong eastern flank is essential for the protection of the Union as a whole.
The European Council president also reiterated the importance of a merit-based EU accession process. He singled out Moldova, Ukraine and the countries of the Western Balkans as key to the bloc’s future and underlined that progress should be awarded on the basis of reforms and results.
The visit in Bucharest is part of Costa's wider tour of EU capitals. He continues next with stops in Sofia and Athens, and tomorrow he will travel to Cyprus and Slovenia as part of this “tour of capitals.”
Romania’s role on the EU’s eastern frontier and its support for Ukraine, Costa said, make it a central partner in efforts to preserve European security and cohesion.
Photo: press material from the event
