The two Ministers noted with satisfaction that the trade exchange between the Czech Republic and Romania exceeded 2 billion EUR last year, whilst over 500 Czech companies are operating in Romania. The country is interesting for Czech entrepreneurs, also as regards foreign investments. Czech Republic´s exports to Romania amounted to 31, 7 billion CZK, which is more than for example the export to China. Minister Schwarzenberg also brought up the issue of Romanian state-owned companies´ debts to Czech companies, such as ČEZ or Ferromet. The Romanian side appreciated the significance of Czech investments, in particular the construction of the biggest wind park in Europe, which is being built by ČEZ in Dobrudgea. “There are not many countries so near that offer such opportunities for Czech entrepreneurs as Romania does”, Karel Schwarzenberg said.

He expressed Czech Republic´s consistent support to Romania´s and Bulgaria´s accession to the Schengen area. The two countries share a problem of visas for their citizens entering Canada. “We keep solving the issue of the free movement of goods in the European Union all the time, but we forget about the free movement of persons”, Titus Corlatean stressed. The two Ministers further agreed on the support to the integration efforts of the Western Balkans countries.

After the bilateral meeting, Ministers Karel Schwarzenberg and Titus Corlatean together opened a seminar on Czech-Romanian Investments Opportunities, attended by almost a hundred Czech and Romanian entrepreneurs.

Minister Karel Schwarzenberg also took part in the Congress of the European People´s Party in Bucharest.