“How can we work together to make Europe safer in these difficult times? How can we make it more competitive?” These questions were the focus of the talks with Ilie Bolojan, as Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted at a joint press conference with the Romanian Prime Minister in Berlin on Wednesday. Bolojan was welcomed with military honours during his inaugural visit to the Federal Chancellery. 

In this “new era of great power politics”, in which freedom, security and Europe’s prosperity can no longer be taken for granted, strengthening Europe’s security and competitiveness is an urgent matter, Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised. He thanked Romania, noting how, in its position on NATO’s eastern flank and on the border with Ukraine, the country is doing “great things every day” for European security.

The most important points in brief:

• United for Ukraine: Germany and Romania are helping “our Ukrainian friends through these bitter days of winter”, in which Russia is systematically attacking Ukraine’s energy supply, said the Federal Chancellor. Romania is therefore making a very important contribution with its energy supplies, he added. Chancellor Merz noted that Germany has also stepped up its support again for Ukraine’s energy supply and air defence. “We want peace for Ukraine. And at the same time, we want security for Europe,” Merz urged.
• Strengthening security in Europe: Merz and Bolojan also discussed how to deal with the hybrid threat posed by Russia. The attacks have ranged from targeted disinformation and cyber operations to airspace violations on NATO’s eastern flank. “Germany and Romania are resolutely facing this together,” said the Federal Chancellor. This is therefore the fourth time that Germany has contributed Eurofighters to airspace surveillance in Romania. While the heads of government were meeting in Berlin on Wednesday, Germany’s and Romania’s defence ministers also met to sign a memorandum of understanding on arms exports.
• Expanding economic relations: Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised that Germany and Romania already have close economic ties. German companies are investing in Romania, creating jobs there and thus contributing to the modernisation of the economy. According to Merz, however, there is still great potential. In the areas of industry, digitisation, infrastructure and energy in particular, he noted, the “joint success story must now be continued with commitment”.

Read the transcript of the press conference here (in German only):