United Nations, New York — Romania's Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu has stressed that her country has a strong partnership on military procurement with Türkiye while arguing that any proposed pause in Russia-Ukraine strikes must extend beyond energy facilities.

"The new capabilities of our naval army come from Türkiye," Toiu told TRT World during a press briefing on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

She said the Turkish navy forces were recently in Constanta during the national celebration for Romanian naval army, "and it was also a moment to work to show practically to the citizens that partnership as well."

She said she had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the UNGA sidelines, adding her country is currently working with Bulgaria and Türkiye on the Black Sea de-mining task force.

"We've done that for a number of years and we've done that successfully," Toiu said, adding the three countries decided during the Ankara summit to increase the partnership for protection of critical infrastructure in the region.

"And by that we mean undersea cables, for example, by that we mean the energy infrastructure, by that we mean our collective capacity to protect the Black Sea," she added.

Black Sea energy security

Asked what impressions is she getting from talks with diplomats of multiple countries at the UN concerning potential pauses in attacks on energy sites across the region amidst the wider fallout of Russia-Ukraine war, she called for a comprehensive approach to securing critical infrastructure in the Black Sea.

"At this moment of time, just a ceasefire dedicated to just one of the of the areas, I don't think it's a path that has the potential for success," said Toiu.

Toiu said that any proposed pause in strikes must extend beyond energy facilities to protect vital food and trade transit corridors.

Romania, she said, also relies on the Black Sea commercial lanes when it comes to importing petrol from Kazakhstan.

She said this "directly connected to the security of the Black Sea," and confirmed plans to meet with Kazakhstan's foreign minister at the UN to discuss strengthening and preserving these vital shipping connections.