Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on an official visit to Romania, was in Parliament on Monday, where he met the heads of the two Chambers - Mircea Abrudean and Sorin Grindeanu - and delivered an address to the joint plenary.

In talks with Senate President Mircea Abrudean, discussions focused on strengthening Romania - Israel relations. Abrudean underscored Romania's firm commitment to preserving Holocaust memory, combating antisemitism and hate speech, and highlighted the potential for expanding economic cooperation through joint projects combining Israeli technological excellence with Romania's growing industrial capacity.

President Herzog expressed Israel's readiness to continue supporting Romania's efforts to complete its accession to the OECD, praising Romania's progress and commitment to this strategic objective.

Abrudean stressed that mutual trust, regional cooperation and political dialogue are essential pillars for stability, security and prosperity, voicing confidence that bilateral ties will continue to expand across all areas of shared interest. He also noted the excellent level of defence cooperation, with Israel being a strategic partner contributing to the modernization of Romania's Armed Forces and NATO interoperability.

Substantial discussions also took place during Herzog's meeting with Chamber of Deputies Speaker Sorin Grindeanu.

'Parliamentary cooperation is an important vehicle for identifying new opportunities in the already excellent bilateral relationship between Romania and Israel,' Grindeanu wrote on Facebook, recalling the May visit of Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin for the Day of Solidarity and Friendship between Romania and Israel. The Speaker also emphasized Romania's continued focus on combating antisemitism and xenophobia, noting that the 2024 - 2027 National Strategy includes strong preventive measures through education.

Grindeanu added that Israel remains Romania's strategic ally and main partner in the Middle East.

'In this context, I conveyed Romania's interest in further developing the commercial relations between our states, as well as cooperation in cutting-edge technologies. I also underlined Romania's interest in resolving the conflicts in the Middle East and finding balanced solutions for the free passage of maritime vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Uncertainty affecting transport on this important maritime route influences European economies, including Romania's,' Grindeanu said.

Later, President Herzog addressed the joint plenary of Parliament, stating that in recent years Romania and Israel have played an increasingly important role in strengthening mutual, regional and international security. He noted that over 78 years of bilateral relations, the two countries have built a shared language, a friendship based on trust and a hope that can be turned into reality - a relationship that has become a strategic pillar of stability and cooperation.

Herzog praised Romania as an international model in Holocaust remembrance, historical responsibility and education, noting that Romania's efforts to combat antisemitism, hate speech and xenophobia - including the adoption of the working definition thereof by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance - have become a solid standard for protecting democratic societies.

Earlier in the day, President Isaac Herzog met with Romanian President Nicusor Dan at the Cotroceni Palace. On Sunday, he attended the 12th edition of the March of the Living in Iasi, commemorating the victims of the June 1941 pogrom. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)