Romanian President on Official Visit to Slovenia

Brdo pri Kranju, 3.11.2010  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today received the President of the Republic of Romania, Traian Bãsescu, on his official visit to Slovenia. After a reception with military honours, the two presidents met briefly one-to-one before the plenary talks between the Slovenian and Romanian delegations, which were led by the respective presidents.

In his introductory statement, President Türk drew attention to the friendship between the two countries, which enjoy very good political and economic relations, and share many common issues and approaches within the EU and NATO. In Dr Türk’s view, bilateral relations between the two countries have developed smoothly, including trade in goods, which, although it decreased slightly in 2009 because of the global recession, is expected to reach its pre-recession level once more this year. President Türk and his Romanian counterpart also discussed opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation in the area of investments, trade in services, and joint ventures on third markets.

The presidents also focused on European themes. They agreed that the European Union faces important decisions that call for improvements in the management of the economic system. Moreover, the EU needs more effective mechanisms to control any future financial crisis. President Bãsescu pointed out that Slovenia and Romania share common views on the further development and the economic situation of the EU. He thanked President Türk for the support that Slovenia has given to Romania regarding its accession to the Schengen Area.

The two presidents also discussed the issue of the Roma people and the problem of expulsion of Roma people from several European countries. President Türk stated that problems of this kind should be settled in the places where they arise, and not by imposing restrictions on freedom of movement, which is a fundamental human right. He supported the idea of joint European efforts to solve health, education and other essential problems experienced by Roma people. President Bãsescu agreed that this is a European issue and stressed that Romania, as a concerned country of origin, does not deny its responsibility in this area. He added, however, that his fellow citizens, who are equally European citizens, cannot be forbidden to move freely across Europe. In his view, this issue should consequently be treated within the European context.

The presidents critically addressed the issue of the EU's common foreign and security policy. President Türk observed that this policy is still in the making and could be compared to a construction site rather than a completed building. In his words, the common foreign and security policy requires an improved definition of its priorities. Both presidents mentioned the need for a precise definition of transatlantic relations, which in fact have a good historical record and a solid basis. On this occasion, they stressed the importance of the new NATO strategic concept currently under discussion by NATO members.

The two agreed on the need to further develop EU partnerships with the countries of the EU neighbourhood and of the Caspian region. President Türk emphasised the Eastern Partnership as an essential priority of the EU, probably its most important. In his view, relations between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, including the Russian Federation, are critical for all sides to ensure economic progress, as well as security in the area, where a number of unresolved conflicts still persist. Among these, he raised the issue of the "frozen" dispute on the Moldavian Trans-Dniester region.

President Türk offered his view that this issue should be tackled with more determination in the belief that a solution to the problem is possible. In his view, this requires close cooperation between the EU and other countries, and in particular Ukraine and Russia. President Bãsescu described this issue as a test for the EU, of whether it is capable of finding a solution to the dispute, and for Russia, of whether as a party involved in the dispute, it can assume the role of EU partner. He assessed positively the recent statements by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. President Türk recalled the meeting of the French, Russian and German leaders held in October, where this issue was considered as a challenge for improvement of the European security architecture.

The two presidents also discussed the issue of the Lisbon Treaty and further EU enlargement. On the future of the Western Balkans countries, the two presidents supported their "European perspective" and stressed the need for accelerating the process of closer integration to EU. President Bãsescu said that Slovenia and Romania shared the same position on this issue; however, their views differed on recognition of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo.

The two presidents also drew attention to the importance of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. President Türk said that Slovenia supported the strategy and is taking an active part to the best of its ability. He considered this strategy one of the most important regional strategies for the future.

President Türk evaluated the talks with the President Bãsescu as very constructive and thanked him for his views on the issues discussed. President Bãsescu thanked his host for the invitation and for the discussions, which he described as fruitful and successful.