The Romanian authorities will focus their efforts on safely bringing home Romanian citizens in high-risk areas as a priority, according to decisions made at a meeting convened by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan on Monday at the Victoria Palace.

The meeting reviewed the situation of Romanian citizens stranded in areas bordering Iran due to the regional conflict.

According to a Romanian Government release, on Monday evening, Romanian citizens from Israel will arrive in Bucharest aboard two aircraft coming from Egypt, a country with open airspace.

'Up to Egypt, these individuals were transported overland with the support of the Romanian state and thanks to the efforts of Romanian diplomats. In the coming period, additional flights will be organised to safely bring pilgrims and Romanian citizens in Israel who have requested consular assistance back to the country,' the release informed.

Moreover, the Romanian authorities are preparing the repatriation of Romanian citizens in other Middle Eastern countries affected by the war.

'Priority will be given to children and medical cases. To this end, today the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Foreign Affairs Ministry will meet with representatives of airline companies to organise the return of Romanian citizens from war-affected countries when repatriation can be carried out safely,' according to the release.

Also on Monday, the Ministry of Economy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) are meeting with representatives of travel agencies through which Romanian citizens reached the conflict-affected area as tourists.

'Romanian authorities, representatives of airline operators and those of travel agencies will collaborate, based on their legal obligations, to bring Romanian tourists or Romanian citizens working in these countries back home and provide them with state support,' the quoted source mentioned.

Moreover, Romania will activate, together with other European Union member states, the European Civil Protection Mechanism for the repatriation of Romanian citizens. The Romanian authorities, through consular services, will remain in permanent contact with Romanian citizens in countries affected by the Middle East war.

Attending the working meeting at the Government alongside Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan were Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacsu, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister Radu Miruta, Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu, Economy Minister Irineu Darau, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ciprian Constantin Serban and Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Rodica State)