Loading ...President Traian Basescu on March 12 told a conference dedicated to Romanian initiatives in the Black Sea region that the European Union should have a more proactive approach of the frozen conflicts in the Black Sea region.
Basescu referred to the situation of Transdniester, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, all three with lingering frozen conflicts that could rekindle any time.
"Romania treats all these three frozen conflicts equally because they are very close to our border and the risk that they reactivate must be prevented. The EU should be more involved, more active, negotiate and try to find solutions to the three conflicts for the Union’s security to stay unaffected," said Basescu at the Swedish Institute for International Affairs.
According to the Romanian head of state, the sooner does the EU have a high representative for foreign policy, the more capable will the organization be for active involvement in the settlement of these situations.
Answering a question about the situation of Transdniester, Basescu said that Romania does not participate in the negotiation format and can exert but little influence, but is waiting for a solution for Transdniester to be found "in compliance with the legitimate right of the Republic of Moldova to full territory integrity."
"We do not look only to public statements, but I believe it’s time for us to witness a different example than what we recently saw somewhere else in Europe," said Basescu.
The Romanian President invited Sweden to join Romania and other states in the Black Sea area in their effort to turn the multitude of challenges in this area into opportunities. He said that Romania wants to promote security, stability and prosperity in the Black Sea area, as a part of European security.Basescu said he considers that the EU can play a positive part in this area, provided that it defines its interest in the region. The head of the Romanian state mentioned, as a desideratum, Russia and Turkey’s involvement in regional profitable projects in the Black Sea area.
"The Black Sea is a highly important hub for the transit of energy resources from producing to consumer states. A European energy market is a crucial goal that requires joint strategies," said Basescu, adding that Romania backs the Nabucco project.
The Romanian President said the EU needs to approach the issue of energy security in a common voice because "otherwise we will not be successful or miss the chance to attain our major goals.
"In this context, Basescu mentioned that priorities in the Black Sea region are good governance, the rule of law state, sustainable development and strengthening tolerance.
The President underscored that a project he puts forward for attention refers to the setting up of a network of civil society representatives in the Black Sea region, starting from their need to communicate and find common solutions.
"Civil society is growing mature, but it can act as a catalyst for political-economic transformation. We are contemplating the launch of an annual civil society forum in the Black Sea area, a kind of Davos of Black Sea NGOs, this is a project that will really add value to regional cooperation," said Traian Basescu.
He specified that Romania would further advocate the tightening of relations between the EU and the Black Sea region, in a move that would benefit all parties.
President Traian Basescu’s speech at the Swedish Institute for International Affairs practically marked the end of his state visit to this Scandinavian country. After the farewell ceremony at the Royal Palace, the Romanian delegation headed by Traian Basescu will leave for Brussels, to attend the spring European Council.
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