Secretary of State visits Romania for foreign minister’s meeting

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Romania Tuesday.

Blinken is attending the NATO foreign minister's meeting which will focus on Russia's war against Ukraine.

"We stand united in the face of President Putin's brutal war against Ukraine. Since February...we have acted with speed, with coordination, with determination to support Ukraine in the face of this Russian aggression. In each of these efforts, Romania's leadership has been critical."

Another topic of discussion will be the implementation of NATO's new strategic concept.

Blinken took a tour of the U.S.-Romania strategic partnership exhibit.

The exhibit celebrates key moments in the U.S.-Romania partnership since 1997.

"When you do think about the 25 years that have just passed, it is remarkable the extend in which the relationship between Romania and the United States has flourished. It's a partnership bolstered by a robust and growing economic tie, energy ties and investments that expand opportunities for Romanians and Americans alike. A partnership that has strengthened by our cooperation in international organizations and initiatives like the three C's, which Romania will be hosting in 2023."

Afterwards, Secretary Blinken had separate meetings with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Later he took part in a joint presser with Foreign Minister Aurescu

"We are not going to be deterred going forward. We're going to be reinforcing NATO's presence from the Black to the Baltic seas. And in that effort we are working constantly between each other as well as with NATO to affectively inform and reinforce our Black Sea strategy."

Also, Secretary Blinken will attend a working dinner with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.