Opening the grain transshipment terminal at Dornesti, Suceava County, is further proof that Romania's support for the Ukrainian state and people, for the Ukrainian economy, remains solid, consistent and sanctioned by the government, civil society, as well as the private sector, Romania's consul general in Chernivtsi Irina Stanculescu said on Friday.

She added that "Romania has been by Ukraine's side since the first day of the war of aggression triggered by the Russian Federation" and "it will continue to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes - including in the reconstruction process."

"Romania remains one of Ukraine's key partners in facilitating the transit of grain to international markets. Through Romania's investment and efforts, on national behalf or with support from international partners, the transit of approximately 37 million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural produce has been secured since the beginning of the war of aggression. The opening of new border crossings with Ukraine, the development of border infrastructure, commissioning broad-gauge railways are just a few examples of measures taken by Romania in that regard. Opening the Dornesti terminal adds to all these efforts and proves, once again, that transport infrastructure is essential for capitalising on the potential of our economies, to the prosperity of our societies. Investments in developing interconnectivity with Ukraine are also investments in Romania's prosperity," Stanculescu said.

She added that "public or private initiatives to expand the cross-border infrastructure with Ukraine respond not only to economic, but also to political and strategic imperatives", showing that this way "we actually contribute to Ukraine's effective integration with the European single market."

"I want to take this opportunity to remind that Romania was among the most active supporters of Ukraine in the process of European integration. Awarding Ukraine, the status of a candidate to the European Union in December 2023 was a recognition of the efforts made by the Ukrainian authorities to adopt complex reforms, all the more difficult amidst Russia's war of aggression. We are currently making political and diplomatic efforts to effectively open accession negotiations and convene Intergovernmental Conferences with Ukraine and Moldova by the end of June. We are expressing our hope and confidence that the coming month will bring us the good news we have been waiting for. Ukraine continues to fight bravely for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. To Romania, it is a political and moral duty to support Ukraine against the illegal and unjustified aggression of the Russian Federation. Romania remains committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will continue to work alongside our Ukrainian partners, including for deepening cross-border interconnectivity, advancing the European agenda, and also further in Ukraine's reconstruction process," said Stanculescu.

The largest grain transshipment terminal in Europe was inaugurated on Friday at Dornesti, Suceava County, in the presence of Romanian and Ukrainian state officials. The new terminal was built under a public-private partnership and cost approximately EUR 10 million, with funds coming from Grampet Group, the largest group of private railway companies with Romanian shareholders in South-Eastern Europe. AGERPRES (RO - author: Cristian Lupascu, editor: Karina Olteanu; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)