Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Thursday that Romania’s most important non-EU economic partner is Türkiye, with trade relations between the two countries amounting to nearly 10 billion dollars.
He was asked on Romania TV what our country has offered in exchange to Türkiye for eliminating the requirement for Romanians to present passports when travelling to Türkiye.
„Absolutely nothing. Romania’s most important non-EU economic partner, reaching trade relations between countries of almost 10 billion dollars, and more than likely we will reach 15 billion, is Türkiye (…) It is a respect for a neighbouring state and a friendly state. When there was an earthquake in Turkey, the first state to help and intervene to save as many lives as possible was Romania. We sent the first teams to Turkey. These are things that are not forgotten”, Prime Minister Ciolacu replied.
The head of government was also asked if there is an interest in Romania buying arms from Türkiye.
„All arms from Romania are made competitively. I want to change the paradigm, that whatever contracts we make, important components start to be made in the defence industry (…) Everyone has an interest, but it is normal to have one. President Erdogan did not ask me about the arms companies. Instead, I made it very clear that if Türkiye wins any tender in the competitive environment at the Ministry of Defence, you should know that my requirements are to produce in Romania. Romania has the necessary capabilities, it has energy”, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu added.
The head of the Romanian government, accompanied by a delegation of ministers, was in Ankara on Tuesday for an official visit, at the invitation of Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.