Oana Toiu and Ed Miliband discuss security and trade in London

Interim Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu met with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in London to discuss bilateral cooperation across four priority areas: the Romanian diaspora, economic cooperation, security, and educational and cultural collaboration.

Regarding security, the officials discussed trade security in the Black Sea and the role of the Port of Constanta, specifically focusing on British expertise in protecting critical maritime infrastructure. Minister Toiu expressed gratitude for the United Kingdom’s solidarity, noting the Royal Air Force’s enhanced air policing mission conducted in Romania between March and July.

Economic discussions highlighted that bilateral trade exceeds 10 billion euros. The UK currently ranks as the 11th largest foreign direct investor in Romania, with over 7,000 companies operating with British capital.

On the cultural and educational front, the meeting addressed the Romanian diaspora, which includes over one million citizens in the UK. Topics included the UK joining the Erasmus+ programme, youth and teacher mobility schemes, the mutual recognition of qualifications, and the presence of Romanian language lectorates at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.