Romania and France have agreed to extend the strategic partnership signed five years ago, after Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault signed the roadmap to re-launch the partnership. The document provides for joint political, economic and social projects. The list of main priorities for the 2013-2018 period includes boosting employment by stepping up investment, the management of EU structural funds, the integration of Rroma both in France and Romania, agriculture, healthcare and defense.

On his first visit to Paris after the legislative elections in Romania in December last year, Victor Ponta dwelled on the economic dimension of the partnership and the opportunities Romania has to offer, adding there were many projects that could benefit both countries: “I am confident the strategic partnership will over the next years yield the results both our countries seek”, said the Romanian official. Victor Ponta also argues that the number of French investors must increase, naming energy, agriculture and infrastructure among the fields that French businesses can invest in.

In turn, the French Prime Minister said relations between France and Romania were excellent, highlighting the friendship and cultural values tying the two countries. He said the French-Romanian relationship is defined by the strategic partnership signed in 2008. The new agreement signed for the next five years focuses on more important economic aspects, as well as on aspects pertaining to European defence, explained the French Prime Minister. Source: Radio Romania International