The visit of Israel`s president to Romania

Shimon Peres hailed the brave way in which Romania has assumed responsibility for its anti-Semitic actions during World War Two and decided to found the National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania.

The Institute is named after the Nobel peace prize winner Ellie Wiesel, who was born in the north-western Romanian region of Maramures.

Peres also recalled Romania’s assistance in the rescue of 400,000 Jews, people who later had an important contribution to the construction of Israel, while preserving their native cultural heritage and love for Romania.

The friendship between the two peoples will stand the test of time and history, Peres predicted.

He hailed Bucharest’s stance regarding peace in the Middle East and terrorism.

President Traian Basescu reiterated his country’s belief that Israel’s peace talks with both the Palestinian Authority and Syria, which are seen to have reached a deadlock, should be resumed without pre-conditions.

Romania once played a relatively important role in the Mideast peace process and even acted as an intermediate between Israel and the Palestinians.

Bucharest has constantly voiced its support for the existence of two states.

The two presidents also discussed the Iranian nuclear dossier.

Romania firmly rejects the idea that a state like Iran posses nuclear armament, and unequivocally backs the new sanctions that the UN Security Council has imposed on Iran.

On the other hand, diplomacy rather than military force should be seen as the solution. However, if a conflict proves to be inevitable, Romania’s option will be very clear. Traian Basescu:

"I think this is not the right time to talk about a conflict. We are hopeful that the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council will give rise to the correct solution in Tehran, namely starting transparent negotiations, not digging graves for American troops. If need be, Romania will be a loyal partner of NATO, of which it is a member, and a loyal partner of Israel".

Beyond the political field, Romania and Israel will collaborate in areas such as the military, technology, economy, tourism and science.

The two presidents attended the signing of a protocol amending an intergovernmental agreement to mutually promote and protect investments.

(Radio România Internaţional, Serviciul în limba engleză).