Maintaining economic and trade dialogue directly helps reduce security risks, while trade continues to serve as a pillar of stability in a fragmented world, Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu said at the 'Next-Generation Trade Facilitation' strategic session held during the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.

The debate brought together high-level decision-makers to discuss how global trade flows can adapt to new geopolitical realities, according to a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

In her address, Minister Toiu offered business leaders and counterparts a fresh perspective on the intersection between geopolitics and the economy.

'Geopolitical decisions, pragmatic diplomacy and regional priorities are expected to play an increasingly decisive role in shaping markets. Across all continents, we now recognise a growing need for strategic autonomy, which also entails diversifying value chains and export markets,' the Romanian minister said.

The debate also underscored that, despite this year's Davos agenda being dominated by security-related issues, the Forum continues to serve as a vital platform for economic cooperation and global collaboration.

'Romania imports goods worth approximately EUR 120 billion a year, while exports amount to around EUR 90 billion. This nearly EUR 30 billion deficit cannot be addressed solely through domestic policies, but also through active economic diplomacy that opens new markets for Romanian products. Maintaining economic and trade dialogue has direct positive effects on reducing security risks, and trade remains a pillar of stability in a fragmented world,' Minister Toiu was quoted as saying in the release.

The discussion brought together ministers of trade and economy from more than ten countries across four continents — Europe, Asia, Africa and North/Central America. In addition to government officials, leaders of major international organisations participated, including senior representatives of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), UN economic agencies, as well as executives from global logistics and critical infrastructure companies.

'Romania's participation in this restricted format confirms our country's profile as an active partner in reconfiguring strategic trade routes and in supporting a rules-based international system,' the MAE press release added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - Simona Iacob)