Romania supports strengthening of EU borders as solution to migrant crisis

Record ID: 102796

  • Title: Romania supports strengthening of EU borders as solution to migrant crisis
  • Date: 18th May 2016
  • Summary: VILNIUS, LITHUANIA (MAY 18, 2016) (REUTERS) LITHUANIAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE LITHUANIAN COAT OF ARMS
  • Embargoed: 2nd June 2016 13:48
  • Keywords: EU Russia NATO U.S. missile defence
  • Location: VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
  • City: VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
  • Country: Lithuania
  • Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014IC3SQH
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday (May 18) that strengthening the external borders of the European Union is one of the "good" solutions to the migrant crisis and his country supports it.
    "What we should be looking for in this immigration crisis are not sanctions - they do not resolve anything, we should be looking for solutions. We consider some of the solutions found so far weak and we hope that very good solutions will be found. Some of the current solutions are supported by us. Of course, I'm thinking here, first of all, about strengthening the EU's external borders, especially through Frontex, where Romania substantially contributes. After Germany, Romania is the second Frontex contributor," Iohannis said after meeting Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
    The Romanian president added that Russian criticism of the NATO missile defence system is unfounded and part of Moscow's "communication strategy".
    "The fact is (that) Russian rhetoric, which accuses NATO and Romania for the opening of Deveselu (anti-missile) facilities, is part of a communication strategy elaborated by Russia. It has a certain tendency to show that it (NATO missile shield) is against Russia. The shield, which Deveselu is part of, is not a structure against Russia. We've said that and we will say it because it is true."
    After the United States switched on its missile shield at a Soviet-era base in Romania last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was a step to a new arms race, vowing to adjust budget spending to neutralise "emerging threats" to Russia.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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