French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) meets with Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu in Bucharest, Romania, on April 12, 2018. Romania can count on France's support for its first presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said here Thursday at a press conference with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu. (Xinhua/Cristian Cristel)

BUCHAREST, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Romania can count on France's support for its first presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said here Thursday at a press conference with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu.

Le Drian underscored the strong connection between the two countries, "at an important moment" for the EU when Romania is preparing to take over the EU Council rotating presidency for the first time at the beginning of 2019.

According to Melescanu, the Romania-France Strategic Partnership "has had a major contribution to deepening the bilateral relation," and the two countries are discussing the joint demarche to update the road map, "which could be signed even at the end of this year."

"The renewal of the strategic partnership and its road map will be a reflection on the quality of our relation," said the visiting French minister.

Melescanu requested France's support on a swift decision, in respect to Romania's acceptance into the Schengen Area.

Le Drian arrived here on Wednesday for a two-day visit to Romania. His schedule also includes meetings with President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, as well as the presidents of the two chambers of the Romanian Parliament.