H.E. Dr. Laureniu-Mihai tefan:

I thank the Deputy so much. I was impressed by the fact that the committee decided to visit Romania and Moldova. As I told the Deputy at our previous meeting, the focus in regard to the particular issue of humanitarian assistance should be on Moldova. Romania is supporting and partnering with Moldova. We are careful, which is the reason Romania, along with Germany and France, decided to initiate the Moldova support platform. That is the urgent need and it is an issue I said a few words about in my introduction.

The second issue is the European perspective. Everybody knows this is a long road but the European perspective should be clear. Romania and other European countries, including, I am sure, Ireland, will support that and convince other European countries that are much more sceptical that we - Romania, Ireland and other European countries - should be together with the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. Let us not forget about Georgia, one of the first countries to be affected by Russian aggression. It is the role of the embassies of our countries to maintain momentum and keep attention on the region - Ukraine, of course, and the Republic of Moldova but also Georgia - as high as possible. Let us not forget about Georgia. It may not be affected by the humanitarian crisis to the same extent as Romania, Poland and the Republic of Moldova, but it is important.

I spoke with my colleagues in Bucharest and Suceava who praised the fact that members of the committee were there on the field. It is not easy. People are keen to stay in their offices to watch and comment but I am here to praise the fact that the committee decided to visit and witness the hardship of the people in Moldova and the complexity of the processes.

As we discussed last time, Romania has put in place a complex mechanism to assist. There are six groups in the chancellery of the Prime Minister dealing with children, elderly people, housing, schooling and students. All the sensitive human issues are covered and the six working groups are co-ordinated by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister travelled to Kyiv yesterday. The Ukraine foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, was in Bucharest. We are in close co-ordination with Ukrainian officials to see what is needed in terms of practical assistance to carry on the war and also refugees. We have started to discuss the future. We should talk more about the future and be optimistic while providing the necessary assistance, both for the people in Ukraine and those who travel to safety from Ukraine to other countries.

I do not have specifics on the UNHCR mechanism. I know the Romanian Government is looking to the Romanian people who are hosting. There was a recent decision to increase the allocation for food and rent to people who decide to host. It is to encourage Romanians who host Ukrainians to carry on doing so because at some point they may become a burden. We should carry on with the hospitality but resources are necessary. My Government is looking into that.

I will stop there and I can come back later. I thank members for the opportunity to praise the committee and its work.