The President of Romania will make his first trip to the United States since taking office.
Nikusor Dan will participate next week in the first meeting of the Peace Council in Washington, in response to the invitation extended by US President Donald Trump.
"I will participate next week in the first meeting of the Peace Council in Washington, at the invitation of the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. "Romania will have observer status and I will state our firm support for international peace efforts and our openness to participate in the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip," the president announced in a Facebook post.
Nikușor Dan said that the decision to participate in the meeting in the United States was based on "support for the diplomatic process established by the resolution adopted in November by the UN Security Council".
"The decision to attend these discussions is based on support for the diplomatic process established by the resolution adopted in November by the UN Security Council, initiated by the United States of America. Romania has consistently supported the need to find a solution that will lead to an end to the conflict, and has provided support to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, especially through emergency medical evacuation operations,“ the head of state pointed out.
Participation was in question At the end of the week, President Nikusor Dan was considering whether to participate in the first meeting of the Peace Council, which will be held in Washington on February 19. Sources from the presidential administration told Digi24 on Thursday, February 12, that he was inclined not to participate in this meeting, as it is a format in which countries that have not decided to officially join the Council would be in the background, kept “on the sidelines“. Nikusor Dan explained, before the informal summit of the European Council, held on February 12, that Romania is still negotiating with the US regarding its accession to the Peace Council, proposed by Donald Trump. "Depending on the discussions with the American side, we will decide whether to go or not. Probably this week", said the head of state.
When asked whether Romania would prefer not to participate, whether the role of observers is secondary, the head of state replied: "It depends, it depends, because, as you know, the situation in Gaza is important for Europe, Romania traditionally has some relations with Israel and the Arab countries in the region, so it is important for us to be there, but it depends on what conditions."
The Romanian president confirmed on February 6 that he had received the invitation to participate in the first meeting of the Peace Council. "As I said before, Romania welcomes the efforts of the US administration to promote peace", said Dan.