OREANDA-NEWS. March 18, 2015. Following the meeting with President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has stated the transition to the new phase of Ukrainian-Romanian relations

"We have agreed to resume the activities of the joint presidential commission and hold its next session in the course of my visit to Bucharest. In the course of substantive negotiations we have identified promising vectors of cooperation in trade-economic, energy, environmental, transport, infrastructure and other areas that will have absolutely concrete practical results," Petro Poroshenko informed.

According to the Head of State, the parties have "successfully discussed sensitive issues of bilateral relations, including the issue of Danube – Black Sea Canal, and agreed to continue constructive dialogue on these issues at bilateral level and at the level of international organizations". "Today, we demonstrate that we are able to find common mutually beneficial solutions to the problems that haven't been solved for years," the President noted.

Petro Poroshenko has expressed sincere gratitude for the fact that Romania had been the first country to ratify the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. "It will remain in the history of Ukrainian-Romanian relations forever. It also reflects the attitude of Romania to the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the EU," Petro Poroshenko emphasized. The Head of State has expressed gratitude for Romania's willingness to defend the provision of the EU membership prospect to Ukraine at all levels.

The President has thanked the European countries and Romania in particular for constant and persistent support of Ukraine in the issues of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He has emphasized that "Ukraine and its warriors are defending freedom and independence of all European countries and nations".

The Presidents have agreed with the necessity of strict and full compliance with the Minsk agreements. "Ukraine firmly states that it will fulfill every item," Petro Poroshenko noted.

The Head of State has informed that he had addressed the Romanian party with a request to support the application of Ukraine to the UN Security Council and the EU Council on sending peacekeepers in order to guarantee the security on the collision line and the line of the uncontrolled area of the state border. "It will ensure more reliable stabilization of the situation and help us avoid numerous victims," the President said.

Also, the Presidents have reached an agreement on the necessity of substantial modernization of the security system in the Black Sea region.

Special attention has been paid to the events in the Republic of Moldova, particularly in Transnistria. "We have agreed to coordinate our actions on Transnistria in order to facilitate the unfreezing of the given conflict and help sovereign and independent Moldova regain its territorial integrity and reintegrate the Transnistria region," Petro Poroshenko informed.

Also, according to the President, the parties have agreed on significant progress in small border traffic. "We have instructed our ministers to simplify the border-crossing regime though the mechanisms of small border traffic," the Head of State said.

The Presidents have also agreed on Romania's support of the introduction of the visa-free regime with the EU for the Ukrainian citizens in the course of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga

The President has expressed gratitude for a series of initiatives on the development of the Eastern Partnership that will make this instrument much more efficient.

In his turn, Klaus Iohannis has informed that the parties had discussed the prospects of interaction between Ukraine, Romania and Poland as countries that have geographical and historical proximity. "I consider it important that we have several neighbors that respect the borders. We must increase regional cooperation between Ukraine, Poland and Romania, create a certain group of solidarity. Such an increase of coordination in Eastern Europe will significantly enhance cooperation at regional and all-European level," the President of Romania said.

"We have also agreed on the restoration of direct air connection between Kyiv and Bucharest," Petro Poroshenko informed.

The President of Romania has noted a high level of cooperation in various spheres – from intergovernmental contacts to cooperation of business-representatives. He has underlined the need for promoting mutual investment.

The President of Ukraine has informed on a series of instructions in energy cooperation. Delegation of NJSC "Naftogaz of Ukraine" will visit Bucharest to hold respective negotiations.

Petro Poroshenko has emphasized the importance of the Romanian President's visit to Ukraine. It is the first such visit in the last 7 years. "I believe that character of relations between our countries will be the same as between the Presidents – friendly, reliable and trustworthy," Petro Poroshenko said.