A large delegation of the Ministry of Interior – Macedonia and Thrace held a series of meetings at the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Heading the delegation was Deputy Minister of Interior for Macedonia and Thrace Konstantinos Gkioulekas. The delegation comprised representatives of chambers of commerce and other economic organisations, local government authorities and universities, as well as representatives from more than 50 businesses from Macedonia and Thrace.A common theme among all speakers was the vast potential for further growth in Greek-Romanian trade and business cooperation, the strong interest in collaboration between the ports of the two countries, and the boost expected from the European Union’s plan to implement major road and railway projects linking Greece, Romania and Bulgaria, which are set to enhance the region’s role in the European and global supply chain.Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister Luca Niculescu highlighted the growing momentum of Greek-Romanian economic and business cooperation, noting that Greek investments in Romania amount to 4 billion euros, while 9,000 Greek companies are registered with Romania’s National Trade Register.He also expressed a desire for closer cooperation between the ports of the two countries, as well as in the tourism sector, and underlined the close collaboration between Greece and Romania on the vertical natural gas corridor.“The Greek government consistently supports every effort to strengthen cooperation in the Balkans. Greece and Romania have long shared close ties and common prospects for peaceful development and prosperity for their citizens, as well as a shared commitment to utilising European funding and programmes for the benefit of growth.Greece is not only a strategic partner of Romania, but above all a friend. The Greek War of Independence began in Romania in 1821. In the very hall where we are gathered today, the Treaty of Bucharest was signed in 1913, defining the borders of the Greek state.We consider you our friends; we belong to the same alliances, to the same family, and we are building our common future together. Greece counts on you, we want to build even more bridges with you, and we will always stand by your side whenever you need us,” Gkioulekas stressed.