Romanian Foreign Policy

"New actualities, new responsibilities, new perspectives"

The Romanian president, Traian Basescu, clarified the headlines of the Romanian foreign policy in the next year. The main theme of the speech regarded the framework of Romania in the EU. Traian Basescu pointed that Romania has the same rights as the other member countries and that means the right to a coherent foreign policy according to the interest of the country and in the same time with the recommendations of the EU institutions


By IOANA EMINA DUMITRASCU
from Bucharest, ROMANIA


On 3rd of September 2007 took place in Bucharest the annual meeting of Romanian diplomats under the motto: "New actualities, new responsibilities, new perspectives". Using this opportunity the Romanian president, Traian Basescu, clarified the headlines of the Romanian foreign policy in the next year. He focused his speech on few important problems drawn in the last few years on the world map; problems such the draft treaty modifying the treaty on the European Union and the treaty establishing the European community, the energetic policy of Romania within the EU framework, Kosovo's independence, conflicts in the Middle East and Moldavia, Serbia and Ukraine and the neighboring policy of the EU. The main theme of the speech regarded the framework of Romania in the EU and some so called mistakes that have been done by the Romanian diplomats because of the way of understanding this new status of member country. Traian Basescu pointed that Romania has the same rights as the other member countries and that means the right to a coherent foreign policy according to the interest of the country and in the same time with the recommendations of the EU institutions.

Regarding the draft treaty modifying the treaty on the European Union and the treaty establishing the European community, the Romanian president pointed that it is very possible that the final form of the draft will be ready in December. The recommendation was for improving the communication with the ambassadors, both for transmitting to the other EU members the Romanian position and for preventing the blockages that may occur in the Council.

Within the energetic policy framework Traian Basescu focused his speech on strengthening the relations with the eastern states (states as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan), their energetic resources being considered to be concurrent alternatives for the current system that supplies the EU with energy. The Georgian terminal can be considered another option for the terminal from Novorossiysk.

In Kosovo matters, Romania considers Serbia as an independent and sovereign state so that the integrity of such a state can't be broken. Traian Basescu explained that as far as this situation can be understood there is no juridical background for creating an independent state within the Kosovo region. Such a position sustained by Romania doesn't mean a blockage within the EU consensus while there are more member countries that agree with this point of view. There can be reached the consensus by expressing separate opinions attached to the EU decision in this matter.

Regarding the Middle East, the Romanian president speaks about four major conflicts: the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, the conflict from the south of Lebanese Republic, the interethnic conflict in Iraq and the Iranian nuclear program. He pointed that the Iraqi problem should be brought again to the Security Council because of the civil war aspect. The multinational forces should become forces for maintaining the pace in the region acting within the UNO mission.

Another important part of the speech regarded the relation between Romania and the Republic of Moldavia. The president asked the government on one hand to speed up the process of visas so that the Moldavian citizens could take the visa for entering in the Romanian space at the frontier and, on the other hand, to speed up the citizenship law so that Moldavian, Ukrainian and Serbian citizens that are studying in Romania will gain their right for Romanian citizenship at the end of their studies here. Traian Basescu explained that Romania will do everything that is in its power to help the Republic of Moldavia entering the EU and achieving all the needed standards for this.

The last major point of the speech regarded the relation with the Romanian communities abroad. The president asked for monthly reports from the ambassadors about the programs they are running for these communities. Also he asked to be sent in this regions Romanian teachers.

The speech generated various reactions in Romania but also in Chisinau and in the European Union capitals. In some matters these clear guidelines for Romanian foreign policy reduce the ambiguity generated by some politicians' speeches and adjust some positions expressed by the minister of foreign affaires, but in the same time create the idea of inconsistent decisions within the government and in the relation executive - legislative. Also the speech created a wave of discontent in the relation with Romania neighbor countries and with the European Union countries.


(Published: 10.10.2007.)

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