Romania is a strong democracy that wants a strong Europe, Romanian President-elect Klaus Iohannis said in an interview for Italian publication La Repubblica, reports local news agency Mediafax. He spoke about unity, about the implementation of his political program, highlighting the need of a Government with center-right policies.

“It’s been 25 years (editor’s note: since the fall of Communism in 1989), there have been successes and failures, now we are looking to the future. The complex situation between the East and the West requires a common European action,” said Iohannis, writes local Mediafax.

When asked if there is the possibility of a normal relation with Russia led by Vladimir Putin, Iohannis said: “The current situation is more difficult. A joint action is needed at a European level. At the moment, the relation with Russia is influenced by the crisis in Ukraine and the perception of an aggressive policy, incompatible with the international law.”

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com