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Minister Tuppurainen highlights rule of law and support for Ukraine on visit to Bucharest

Government Communications Department
Publication date 16.1.2023 20.00 | Published in English on 17.1.2023 at 10.49
Press release
Minister Tuppurainen and Romanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu discussing in a meeting
Minister Tuppurainen and Romanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen visited the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Monday 16 January. In several high-level meetings, discussions focused on support for Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression, the rule of law, EU enlargement and securing access to energy across Europe, among other topics.

During the day, Minister Tuppurainen met with Romanian Minister of Justice Cătălin Predoiu and Minister for Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu. She also met with State Secretary for Energy Dan-Dragoș Drăgan and State Secretary for European Affairs Daniela Gitman, with whom she will continue on to the Romanian town of Suceava and then to Moldova.

Their discussions highlighted the importance of continuing and increasing the EU’s comprehensive support to Ukraine and bringing Russia to justice for the war crimes and destruction it has committed in Ukraine. Finland is open to the proposal to set up a tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. It is also important to ensure that the tribunal is legitimate and able to function effectively.

“As soon as possible, the EU and international partners must explore ways to get Russia to pay adequate compensation for the war and its damage in line with international law. In Finland’s view, it is important to continue the investigation into the possible use of frozen Russian funds to support Ukraine promptly, even if the topic is legally complex,” says Minister Tuppurainen.

Romania has expressed its strong willingness to advance the rule of law in the country, and has pursued rule of law reforms with determination despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

On the topic of EU enlargement, it was noted that the process should continue to be based on strict but fair conditionality and complete fulfilment of the membership criteria. It is important to ensure that all candidate countries are assessed on an equal basis. The discussions also addressed the EU membership application submitted by Kosovo in December 2022. Romania is one of the EU Member States that has not recognised Kosovo. 

“In 2022, the EU’s enlargement policy took historical steps as the Council recognised the membership perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and granted candidate country status to Ukraine and Moldova. Now it is important to take advantage of this momentum in enlargement policy. It is also time to move forward with approving Romania’s application for Schengen membership,” Minister Tuppurainen says.

Minister Tuppurainen’s discussions in Romania also highlighted the EU’s actions to secure access to reasonably priced energy and its measures to support the economy. She stressed that the EU’s actions must be consistent in incentivising clean energy production and must not create uncertainty in the energy market. Both countries emphasised the importance of a well-functioning single market and the need to develop it further.

Minister Tuppurainen also expressed her gratitude to Romania for its swift ratification of Finland’s application for NATO membership in July 2022. Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership will increase the security of Europe as a whole.

While in Bucharest, the Minister also visited a centre providing comprehensive services to Ukrainian refugees. 

Inquiries: Emilia Tervonen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 516 1035 and Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302, Prime Minister’s Office