Held over two days and featuring 40 panels, the Black
Sea and Balkans Security Forum brought together in Bucharest top civilian and
military officials, diplomats and experts from EU and NATO countries, as well
as from partner states. The reconstruction of Ukraine, support for the EU
accession of the Republic of Moldova and of Ukraine, Europe’s post-war security
architecture, as well as the food crisis generated by Russia’s invasion,
Europe’s energy security and cyber resilience were some of the themes discussed
at the forum.
Romanian prime minister Nicolae Ciucă, who attended
the opening of the event, said the threats to the security of the Black Sea
region caused by Russia’s abuses call for the consolidation of the NATO
presence in this area. He recalled that these abuses did not only target
Ukraine, but also maritime security, which has had economic implications.
Ukraine’s reconstruction is a process that must begin
now and not at the end of the war, by creating international mechanisms to
support investments, said the interim speaker of the Romanian Senate, Alina
Gorghiu. She said regional stability is needed and warned things may become
complicated without security on the eastern flank. Alina Gorghiu:
The reconstruction of Ukraine is a huge economic
opportunity for Romania. It needs to become a country project in the coming
period. The government needs to draft a well-devised plan to be able to reach
this objective.
The geopolitical reality calls for new and daring
initiatives to protect shared values and interests, while reducing dependence
on Russian oil and gas, said the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel
Ciolacu. He said he was convinced Ukraine would win the war and gave assurances
that support for the Republic of Moldova would continue at all levels. Marcel
Ciolacu:
It’s in the best interest of the democratic community
to show its strength and solidarity, to support Ukraine and the Republic of
Moldova to become part of the European Union and NATO.
The forum was also attended by the Moldovan prime
minister Dorin Recean, who said his country has managed, with the help of
Romania and the Western states, to no longer depend on Russian gas. He also
said Moldova has been targeted by Russia through propaganda and cyber attacks.
Also in Bucharest, the speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu outlined
the dynamics of the reforms undertaken and expressed hope that the European
Union would give a response by the end of the year with regard to the start of
the accession process. (CM)