Putin, Basescu hold talks over bilateral Russian-Romanian cooperation

(Initially published in http://www.romania-report.ro/ - Feb 15, 2005)


Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Romanian counterpart, Traian Basescu, on Monday, saying that Russia and Romania have overcome the decline in bilateral relations. Romania wants to mediate in Transdniestria settlement

"We have overcome the decline in our relations in the recent years", the Russian president said at the meeting with visiting Romanian President Traian Basescu, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

Putin cited the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and Romania in 2003 and the constant growth of trade turnover, which particularly rose by over 15 percent in 2004.

Putin also expressed the hope that he will have a good working relationship with Basescu, who was elected president last December,and expected further interaction between the two countries and their people.

Basescu, who arrived in Moscow earlier Monday, said the main aim of his two-day working visit is "to strengthen confidence, political and economic relations", according to Itar-Tass.

The Romanian president noted that it is important to create partnership with Russia and jointly solve problems in the Black Sea region, particularly the arms and drugs smuggling and of people trafficking.

Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko said prior to Basescu's visit that Russia is ready to hold dialog with Romania and expects the new Romanian administration to carry on the development of bilateral relations.

Yakovenko hopes that Romania's "accession to NATO and integration with the European Union will not have a negative effect on the high level of Russian-Romanian political relations, trade and economic cooperation.

Romania, which was part of the Soviet bloc until 1989, joined NATO last April and is seeking European Union membership in 2007.



Romania wants to mediate in Transdniestria settlement

Romanian President Traian Basescu has urged the Russian leadership to support Romania's efforts to join the Transdniestrian settlement process as a mediator.

"We are asking for Russia's support in our efforts to join the multilateral talks on ways to settle the Transdniestrian conflict," Basescu told during a news conference in Moscow on Tuesday.

Romania Report – primary source: ITAR-TASS, Interfax