Joint Declaration signed by Prime Minister Victor Ponta and his I…e Government of Romania and the Government of the State of Israel 22/09/2022, 10:53 The Governments outlined their aspirations for further strengthening relations between the two states and the unique relationship between the two peoples, based on the affinity for centuries between the Romanian and Hebrew peoples, supported and promoted by a large community of Israeli citizens of Romania and a strong Hebrew community in Romania who strives to preserve the Hebrew traditions and heritage. The consultations were attended by the following Government members: For the Romanian side: Prime Minister, Mr. Victor Ponta; Vice -Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, Mr. Liviu Nicolae Dragnea; Vice -Prime Minister, Minister of Culture, Mr. Kelemen Hunor; Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Titus Corlăţean; Defense Minister, Mr. Mircea Dusa; Public Finance Minister, Mrs. Ioana-Maria Petrescu; Minister of Economy, Mr. Constantin Nita; Minister of Health, Mr. Nicolae Banicioiu; Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Attila Korodi; Minister for Information Society, Mr. AlexandruRazvan Cotovelea; Minister of Labour, Family, Social Protection and Elderly, Mrs. Rovana Plumb; Minister of Education, Mr. Remus Pricopie; Minister of Youth and Sports, Ms. Gabriela Szabo; Minister Delegate for small and medium sized enterprises, business environment and tourism, Mr Florin-Nicolae Jianu; Minister Delegate for higher education, scientific research and technological development, Mr. Mihnea Cosmin Costoiu. For the Israeli side: Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu; Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman; Defense Minister, Mr. Moshe Ya'alon; Finance Minister, Mr. Yair Lapid; Minister of Economy, Mr. Naftali Bennett; Interior Minister, Mr. Gideon Sa'ar; Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources, Mr. Silvan Shalom; Public Security Minister, Mr. Yitzhak Aharonovich; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Yair Shamir; Minister of Science, Technology and Space, Mr. Yaakov Perry; Education Minister, Mr. Rabbi Shai Piron; Minister of Culture and Sports, Mrs. Limor Livnat; Minister of Communications, Mr. Gilad Erdan; Minister of Health, Mrs. Yael German; Minister of Environment Protection , Mr. Amir Peretz, Minister for Elderly, Mr. Uri Orbach; Minister of Housing and Construction, Mr. Uri Ariel. Foreign affairs Governments welcome the signing of the Protocol of Cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Governments of Romania and the State of Israel recognize the importance and mutual benefits for Israel and the European Union, of promoting peace, democracy and regional cooperation through the European Neighborhood Policy, encouraging scientific research, academic exchanges, environmental protection and increased cultural ties between the parties. The Governments hope that direct negotiations in the Middle East peace process will resume and that they will end up with a just and lasting solution. Both governments share the international community's concern for the destabilizing impact on region of internal conflict in Syria. Government of Romania and the Government of the State of Israel recognize the importance and mutual benefits of deepening cooperation between NATO and Israel in the spirit of NATO's Partnership Policy. Romania will continue along the NATO member states concerned, to facilitate Israel's participation in relevant allied structures and programs. The two Governments also welcome the signing by the Foreign Ministers of the Joint cooperation programme for the years 2014-2017, in the cultural, educational and scientific area. Defense, National Security, Public Security and Interior Affairs Governments recognize the defence and security cooperation as a key area for Romanian-Israeli relations. Considering the relations between the two ministries of Defence and the Military Cooperation Agreement signed in Bucharest on 9 March 2006, Romania and the State of Israel are determined to promote and deepen the strategic cooperation between the Ministries of Defence. The Governments agree to strengthen and expand law enforcement cooperation, particularly in combating all forms of organized crime and terrorism. The Governments should take steps to end in the near future of an Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the State of Israel on cooperation in security and public order through Ministries for public security and internal affairs. Cyber security The two governments aimed at strengthening cooperation in combating cyber security and cyber crime, expanding knowledge, understanding and expertise on cyber security from technological, strategic, social, and international law perspective. Governments will cooperate to create a situation in which to reduce potential interferences to an acceptable level regarding authenticity, integrity and availability of data or other damage to participants in cyberspace. Identity security Romania and Israel share the view that the use of biometrics can play an important role in securing the identity https://gov.ro/en/news/joint-declaration-signed-by-prime-minister-v…he-government-of-romania-and-the-government-of-the-state-of-israel Page 2 of 7