The security of the Black Sea region, the energy security and the strategic partnership with the US were on the agenda of interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu, in the context of her participation in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 21 to 25 September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) said.

According to the quoted source, Oana Toiu addressed in New York maritime and food security in the Black Sea region, international law, peace and security, the Francophonie and the future of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), the role of women leaders in peace and security, Romania's role as President of the Executive Boards of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), as well as the involvement in the UN reform process, as co-chair of the process to revitalise the General Assembly.

She also held meetings with representatives of the US media and think tanks.

On the first day, she held meetings with UN officials and bilateral meetings with representatives of the US Congress, and attended the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers and a ceremony commemorating the naming of a New York intersection in honor of the centenary of Queen Marie of Romania's visit to the US.

The discussions with the President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman, focused on the importance of collective responsibility and the need for pragmatic approaches to support the peace and security pillar of the Organisation's mission, capitalise on the role of the General Assembly in identifying solutions to complex global challenges and promote effective multilateralism, the MAE informed.

According to the quoted source, Oana Toiu welcomed EU member states' coordination efforts to promote multilateralism and the EU's objectives for the UNGA, highlighted Romania's role in the Black Sea and the need for international pressure in order to ensure the flow of grain to global food markets, and underscored Romania's constructive cooperation throughout the session's term.

The Romanian minister held meetings with her counterparts from Vanuatu - Marc Ati, Ghana - Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Morocco - Nasser Bourita, occasion on which she continued and strengthened political dialogue, particularly on the further development of bilateral cooperation, as well as within international formats.

Within the meetings, the interim minister reaffirmed Romania's interest in deepening cooperation within the Francophonie and promoting shared values and initiatives.

The Romanian official also held a meeting with US Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina. The main topics tackled were aimed at the latest developments affecting the shared interests of Europe and the United States, security in the Black Sea region, Romania's contribution to energy security and the strategic partnership with the US, the US military presence in Romania, as well as aspects of economic and business cooperation.

At the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, attended by their counterparts from Australia, India, South Korea and Japan, the Romanian foreign minister welcomed the privileged multisectoral dialogue and cooperation with these countries.

'At a time when global security continues to deteriorate and interdependencies between the two regions are growing, shaping new prospects for cooperation at global level is essential for the EU and its member states,' the MAE said.

The Romanian official outlined the efforts made by our country to facilitate the transit of grain and the central role of the Port of Constanta in ensuring global food security and access to grain products for countries in Africa and the Middle East. Furthermore, she underscored the potential for cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen supporting infrastructure. At the same time, Oana Toiu condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and the escalation of the situation in the Black Sea region, and called for 'honest engagement by Moscow in the peace process and an end to hostilities.'

Another aspect highlighted was leveraging the Security and Defence Partnerships and trade relations, mentioning maritime security, critical infrastructure protection, supply chain security and countering hybrid threats as areas with potential for enhanced cooperation. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Rodica State)