There are currently 14,000 Romanian citizens in the United Arab Emirates, but only a minimal number of extremely urgent cases, Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said on Monday.

'The authorities' assessment is that, for today and tomorrow, remaining in their current locations is the recommended option for Romanian citizens,' the head of Romanian diplomacy said at a press briefing.

Oana Toiu added that there are around 200 Romanians in Israel, of whom 140 are in Jerusalem. These figures do not include dual nationals.

Among Romanian citizens in Israel, there are four urgent medical cases, she said. Evacuation from Israel could be carried out via Egypt or Jordan, Toiu added.

According to the minister, an emergency meeting with transport operators will take place on Monday to identify solutions for the return of Romanian citizens from areas affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

'We want to put together the data and analyses we have, including with travel agencies that organise a large part of these groups and with airlines. We are discussing with airlines, including the possibility of opening flight corridors, organising military flights and the availability of aircraft and crews,' she explained.

She also said that the European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated. 'This means coordination with other European Union member states so that when a member state can send an aircraft - whether civilian or military - we can assess to what extent urgent cases of citizens of other states can be included on those transports,' Toiu added.

If the situation allows flights enabling Romanians in the region to return home, priority will be given to medical emergencies and minors. She noted that, given the large number of people in the conflict zone, no EU country can provide personalised consular assistance, but citizens' safety remains essential. Romanians in affected areas are urged to register with Romania's diplomatic missions in those countries.

'When the airspace in the respective countries reopens, that will be the moment when we can announce in detail all our plans. As regards evacuation through airports in neighbouring states, the element we are currently assessing is land transport to those airports. In the Emirates, for example, the recommendation to avoid large-scale movements at this time is linked to transit duration, not to the airspace itself in neighbouring countries,' she reiterated.

Oana Toiu assured that Romanians are safe in the context of the conflict. 'If we have data or information about a risk, we will communicate it through Romania's institutions. There is no reason at this point to believe analyses suggesting an Iranian attack on the continent. Clearly, we have no certainty regarding future developments, but it is very important at this time to rely on credible information,' the minister said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)