Minister Oana Toiu participated on Monday in New York in the informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the EU member states, held in the context of the high-level week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) reports.

'In the current security context, marked by multiple challenges and threats, the meeting aimed to strengthen the dialogue of the EU member states with global partners on the main crises and conflicts on the agenda of the UN Security Council. Particular emphasis was placed on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the provocations through the repeated violation of the sovereignty of the airspace of some member states, including Romania. Another central topic was the situation in the Middle East', informs a MAE press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday.

The meeting was structured in two sessions - the first session, in EU27 format, was dedicated to the coordination of member states on topics of interest on the UN agenda, and the second session had as guests the foreign ministers of Brazil, India, Mexico and Nigeria.

Oana Toiu appreciated the opportunity for the interaction of European ministers with their counterparts from states in the Global South, highlighting Romania's commitment to the rules-based international order and the role and contribution of the EU in crisis management and conflict resolution. She emphasized that maintaining peace is a common responsibility of UN member states and called for respect for the UN Charter and the principles of international law.

The foreign minister strongly condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscow's continued escalation of the situation and its provocative actions against EU member states, including the violation of Romania's airspace. She pointed out that Russia is acting contrary to its international commitments, generating risks and undermining the foundations of the UN.

She expressed support for the EU and NATO's steps 'to strengthen the security of its members in response to Russia's hostile actions'.

Oana Toiu pointed out 'the responsibility of the international community to support Ukraine and to do all it can to achieve a ceasefire and a just and lasting peace, in the conditions in which Russia, as an aggressor state, violates the UN Charter'. At the same time, she highlighted the need for solid and credible security guarantees to prevent a new aggression from Russia. In this regard, the head of Romanian diplomacy stressed the importance of continuing close coordination between the US, Europe and global partners for a sustainable peace process.

The minister drew attention to the duplicitous messages of Russia, which, although invoking peace, continues to attack Ukraine and cause loss of human lives, including among children. She called on partners to join the European effort to convince Russia to credibly engage in the peace process. She expressed support for strengthening the steps to sanction Russia, mentioning the prospect of adopting a new solid package of sanctions.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the Romanian minister stressed the urgency of a new agreement on a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.

'These are essential conditions for a permanent cessation of hostilities and ensuring a lasting peace in the region, in which the rights of civilians are respected and in which Hamas and other terrorist organizations have no place,' the MAE said.

Toiu reiterated concern about the recent attack in Doha, which represents a violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, with a destabilizing effect on the entire region. The Romanian official reiterated Romania's support for the two-state solution as the only sustainable and viable option for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The head of Romanian diplomacy stressed the importance of the significant increase in humanitarian flows to Gaza, evoked the essential support of the EU in terms of humanitarian level and underlined the fact that Romania represents one of the most important EU states in terms of contribution to medical evacuation flights for pediatric patients from Gaza. She conveyed assurances regarding the continuation of these humanitarian support efforts.

In concluding her intervention, Oana Toiu underlined the importance of assuming common responsibility by representatives of the international community to ensure respect for the rules-based international order. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)