President Nicusor Dan held meetings on Wednesday in Prague with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, the President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrèil, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, during his official visit to that country.

'I had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš. I emphasized the importance of close cooperation at the bilateral, economic, and European levels, at a time when unity and a shared objective are more important than ever. We exchanged views on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework, a crucial file for the Union's competitiveness, cohesion, and long-term stability, as well as on how Romania and the Czech Republic can collaborate as negotiations progress,' the head of state wrote on his Facebook account.

According to him, the meeting also addressed the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and the defense industry, with the aim of ensuring credible deterrence on the Eastern Flank and safeguarding peace on the European continent. Furthermore, during meetings with the speakers of the two chambers of the Prague Parliament, Nicusor Dan conveyed Romania's interest in developing the parliamentary dimension of the bilateral relationship, noting that intensifying contacts between the two parliaments would complement the ties between the governments and institutions of both countries.

'In all the meetings, I highlighted the valuable role played by the Romanian community in the Czech Republic and the Czech minority in Romania in strengthening relations between our countries, firmly convinced that our shared history serves as a source of inspiration for our present and future cooperation,' Nicusor Dan emphasized.

Nicusor Dan paid an official visit to Prague on Wednesday at the invitation of his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)