A number of 43 participating states in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) meeting on Tuesday voiced their support and solidarity for Romania, expressing compassion for the victims affected by the drone incident which occurred last week in Galati, a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release informed.

According to the quoted source, Romania's partners firmly condemned the aggressive and irresponsible conduct of the Russian Federation, arguing that it affects the security of the entire OSCE region. Alongside the statements of the participating states, also presented were common standpoints of the European Union member and candidates states, as well as those of the Bucharest 9 (B9) and Nordic-Baltic 8 (NB8) groups.

The special joint meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council of the OSCE was convened following the incident in which Romania's airspace was violated on the night of 28 to 29 May.

At Romania's initiative, 14 participating states of the OSCE, members of the B9 and NB8 groups requested an extraordinary joint meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council at the OSCE level, in order to discuss the regional security implications of the breach of Romanian national airspace, which led to an explosion resulting in civilian injuries and material damage in the city of Galati.

Romania highlighted the particular seriousness of the incident which occurred as a result of the Russian Federation's attacks over Ukrainian ports on the Danube. The incident took place in the broader context of the aggression war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Romania presented solid evidence which prove that the responsibility for this incidents lies exclusively with the Russian Federation.

In the joint statements (B9+NB8), these incidents are condemned, showing that they reveal a persistent pattern of irresponsible conduct by Russia, that bears the entire responsibility both for its war against Ukraine and for these incidents that represent a direct consequence of Russia's large-scale invasion against Ukraine. Russia's blatant disinformation and intimidation campaigns were rejected and a commitment was expressed to counter Russia's malign activities, including cyber threats and hybrid actions.

Alongside its partners, Romania reiterated the firm commitment to continue the multidimensional support for Ukraine, including in view of obtaining a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace, in agreement with international law and the Helsinki Final Act.

Romania will continue to endorse the use of OSCE instruments to document and hold accountable the Russian Federation for the crimes committed against Ukraine.

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The OSCE is the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, made up of 57 participating states, serving as the world's largest regional security organisation. The OSCE was established to maintain peace, security and stability in Europe through the prevention, management and reduction of risks.

The organisation's main bodies for consultation and decision-making are the Permanent Council, which deals with political issues, and the Forum for Security Co-operation, which handles politico-military affairs. A joint meeting of these two bodies is convened only in extraordinary circumstances to discuss situations marked by rising regional tensions and to address serious security concerns affecting participating states.

The most recent joint meeting of the two formats took place on 26 May, at Ukraine's request, to discuss the consequences of the Russian Federation's massive attack on Ukraine during the night of 23-24 May, in which an Oreshnik ballistic missile was also used. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Rodica State)