The Black Sea region and the Western Balkans are of strategic interest both to Romania and to NATO, President Nicusor Dan said on Tuesday, mentioning that this is a period marked by multiple challenges and that like-minded states must cooperate.

'The Black Sea region and the Western Balkans region represent a strategic interest for Romania, but also for NATO for geographical reasons. Clearly, there is our concern for Ukraine because it is our neighbour. Likewise for the Middle East, with all the consequences stemming from how matters there will be solved. What is Romania doing at national level? It is strengthening itself and by becoming stronger it is increasing security in the Black Sea, increasing security on the Eastern Flank and in the Western Balkans,' Nicusor Dan told the 10th edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, an event organised by the New Strategy Center.

The president said that Romania participates in NATO and European missions.

'At the level of the European Union, it contributes to bringing both Moldova and Ukraine, as well as the countries of the Western Balkans, closer to the Union. Of course, this is a process involving many technical levels and requiring considerable diplomatic attention and, naturally, within NATO, contributing to the deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank,' the head of state added.

He stressed that like-minded states must cooperate.

'We are living through a period with multiple challenges and, in response to these challenges, like-minded states must cooperate and this is what it is going to happen. This is the objective of tomorrow's discussions in the B9 format, this is the objective of the discussions in Ankara at the NATO summit in two months' time. And I am optimistic that in each of these formats we will express solidarity and effectively achieve the objectives we have set ourselves. That means investment in defence, that means interoperability and that means an effective transatlantic partnership,' Nicusor Dan also said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)