Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Sunday discussed exporting Ukrainian grain through Romanian ports with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
The two discussed plans to support Ukraine’s economy which has been hit by Russia’s invasion.
Mr Aurescu said he had mentioned Romanian plans to help Ukraine export grain though its ports of Galati and Constanta „and possible joint international action” linked to global food security.
Briefly discussed w/@SecBlinken in t/margins of Berlin @NATO informal ministerial about RO🇷🇴 efforts&plans to support UA🇺🇦economy by facilitating its grain export/transfer via Galați&Constanța ports,& possible joint int'l action in this regard,thus contributing to🌍#FoodSecurity pic.twitter.com/bWJyVgxqJB
— Bogdan Aurescu (@BogdanAurescu) May 15, 2022
After its Black Sea ports were blocked by Russia, Ukraine has been forced to use rail as its main route for exporting grain, which often leads to the accumulation of wagons at border crossings.
Senior agriculture officials said last month that Ukraine exported up to 300,000 tonnes of grain in March, and analyst APK-Inform said it exported 923,000 tonnes of grain in April.
Ukraine exported up to 6 million tons of grain a month before Russia invaded the country. It exported 38.99 million tons at this point in the 2020/21 season.
Romania’s main priority is to strengthen defense on the eastern flank from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, he said.
„Europe’s security architecture and the Euro-Atlantic space have been affected by Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. Our duty is to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security and also to ensure compliance with the international order. on rules.
Romania supports Sweden and Finland’s bid to join NATO, the minister said, because it „will lead to a stronger Alliance. .. and a more effective deterrence.”
