Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Romania and peace in the Middle East

Peace in the Middle East dominated the talks held by Romania’s president Traian Basescu this week with the leaders in Tel Aviv and Ramallah.

Romania and peace in the Middle East
Photo: Dragoş Ciocârlan

Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 23 Ianuarie 2014, 11:06

Although thousands of kilometres away from the epicentre of the conflict, Romanians have always shown a special interest in the situation in the Middle East.

The religious sensitivity of a majority Orthodox nation has been the source of a constant fascination for what religious writings call the Holy Land.

The hundreds of thousands of Romanian-born Israeli citizens are the most solid bridge between the two countries.

The tens of thousands of young Arabs, including many Palestinians, who studied in Romanian universities post-WWII have also fuelled Romanians’ interest in the region.

Not to mention the unexpected decision taken in 1967 by Romania, which was the only country in the communist bloc who disobeyed Moscow’s orders and refused to break off diplomatic ties with Israel.

Beyond the ambitions of the former communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu who acted as a mediator between the Israelis and the Palestinians hoping to win the Nobel Peace Prize, the fact remains that Romania has always been a credible interlocutor for both sides.

In fact, after Ceausescu’s fall, all Romanian post-communist presidents joined the Middle East peace efforts of the international community, travelling to the region and meeting the leaders in Tel Aviv and Ramallah.

This week, president Traian Basescu told both his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres and the Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas that Romania unreservedly supports the peace initiative of the US secretary of state John Kerry.

Faced with the irreconcilable positions of the two sides, Kerry again had talks recently with the Israeli and Palestinians leaders about an agreement on the borders, security, the status of Israel and the situation of Palestinian refugees.

Basescu reiterated that peace is not possible without guarantees regarding Israel’s security and without acknowledging that the Palestinians are entitled to have their own state. "I think it’s the belief of all those who love this region", said president Basescu “that none of these problems can be solved without a compromise whose chief goal is to have two states living in security and peace.

The purpose of Palestinian-Israeli talks is to bring peace, not to restore historical truth", he concluded.

President Basescu also said he was interested in finding a solution to the peace talks because both Israel and the Palestinian territories are home to many Romanian citizens, for whom the Bucharest authorities feel they have a direct responsibility.

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:33

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta

"Sea Shield 25" includes combat sequences that will test the coordination and response capabilities of the...

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta
Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 04:01

Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place

Romania will continue to contribute to the promotion of global security and democratic values, interim President Ilie Bolojan...

Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place
The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 03:59

The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities

The electoral period for the by-elections that will be organized in 19 localities in 14 counties of the country on May 4, on...

The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities
Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 03:58

Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free

Owners of land and real estate will be able to get their land register extracts free of charge at the land registry counter...

Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free
Internship at the Romanian Government
News in English 29 Martie 2025, 20:52

Internship at the Romanian Government

Young people interested in how public administration works can apply for a new edition of the internship program at the...

Internship at the Romanian Government
If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu
News in English 29 Martie 2025, 20:51

If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

If the current majority coalition will remain on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel...

If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu
Romania should stop making substantial changes to the legal framework before elections
News in English 27 Martie 2025, 15:18

Romania should stop making substantial changes to the legal framework before elections

Romania should refrain from making substantial changes to the legal framework shortly before elections, according to...

Romania should stop making substantial changes to the legal framework before elections
Constitutional Court debates the petitions to the law on airspace use control
News in English 27 Martie 2025, 15:18

Constitutional Court debates the petitions to the law on airspace use control

On Thursday, the Constitutional Court will debate the submissions of the AUR, POT and SOS Romania parties to the law on the...

Constitutional Court debates the petitions to the law on airspace use control