Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ghana expresses appreciation to Romania for warm reception

A Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Thomas Mbomba has met with the State Secretary for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Ambassador Cornel Feruta, Bucharest.

Welcoming the Deputy Minister, the Romanian State Secretary expressed his country’s appreciation to Ghana for its support and views on a UN resolution on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

He added that in was in line with Ghana’s established reputation as a supporter of international humanitarian law and human rights.

Responding, Mr. Mbomba agreed with the assertion of the State Secretary and used the opportunity to express Ghana’s deepest appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Romania for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his delegation since his arrival in Bucharest on 5th March, 2022.

He also commended the Government and people of Romania for opening its borders to all Ghanaian students fleeing the war in Ukraine to the country, noting that such a gesture was a testament of Romania’s commitment to good bilateral relations existing between our two countries. Recalling, the meeting between the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and his Romanian counterpart on the margins of the 6th EU-AU summit in Brussels, Hon. Mbomba indicated that Ghana was committed to the further strengthening of the bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.

On his part, the State Secretary of Romania stated that Romanians were generally hospitable and welcoming to foreigners, particularly in such period of need and that his government was in solidarity with all people affected by the unfortunate war. He disclosed that over 295,000 people had fled the war in Ukraine, with about 80,000 of them making their way into Romania.

Continuing, the State Secretary revealed that the government of Romania had taken steps to amend the country’s laws to afford some of the stranded students from Ukraine the opportunity to continue their studies in Romanian institutions, with priority given to students in their final year. He added that such a gesture was intended to increase people to people interaction between the affected countries and Romania. To further boost the relationship between the two countries, the Secretary of State extended invitation to either the Minister herself or the Deputy Minister to visit Romania in the future.

He then used the opportunity to congratulate Ghana on its 65th independence anniversary and delivered an official message of Congratulations from H. E. Mr. Bogdan Aurescu, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Romania to his Ghana counterpart.

In his concluding remarks, Hon Mbomba thanked the government and people of Romania once again for the offer of the opportunity to Ghanaians students fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to complete their education in that country and pledged to initiate communication through diplomatic channels to take advantage of the offer.