Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, had a telephone conversation on Tuesday with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in which they discussed the negotiations in Islamabad and the prospects for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

'Romania is affected by the conflicts in the Middle East because global security, increased prices in the energy market and limited access to fertilizers are also felt here,' the head of Romanian diplomacy wrote on Facebook.

During the telephone conversation, she thanked Minister Ishaq Dar for Pakistan's mediation efforts.

'Along with regional partners, these steps were essential for obtaining the ceasefire agreement and for avoiding a dangerous military escalation in the region. The discussion reflected hope, but also moderate optimism, the ceasefire agreement is fragile and, in these days, it is a priority for the US and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue discussions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for naval traffic, without blockages and to restore the free navigation regime as it was prior to the conflict', Oana Toiu said.

The foreign minister mentioned that, in coordination with international partners, Romania will continue to urge de-escalation and dialogue.

'We all know that there are no problems that can be solved directly from here, but we can also contribute, at the diplomatic level, to solutions, together with our European partners, in the coalition initiated by the UK for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz of which we are a part, at the UN and in the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, where Romania received the support of the other countries for the role of deputy governor', the head of the Romanian diplomacy emphasized.

The two ministers also agreed to continue, in a future meeting, the dialogue for the development of bilateral cooperation, especially the increase in trade, which is now approximately 150 million dollars.

'The signing in March this year of the memorandum of understanding for collaboration between the Port of Constanta and the Port of Karachi is a concrete step that signals the common priority of our countries for maritime trade routes that contribute to the growth of our economies,' Minister Oana Toiu pointed out. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)