Financiarul

“Solidarity animates our efforts to support the Republic of Moldova’s progress towards the European Union. We all know the special relationship between Romania and its eastern neighbor. History connects us, we have the same language and the same culture. Romanians live on both sides of the Prut, and this fact makes the support of the Republic of Moldova’s European aspirations my soul project.

Not by chance my first visit abroad since the start of my new term will be the Republic of Moldova, in exactly one week time”, stated President Traian Basescu, on the occasion of his annual meeting, at Cotroceni Palace, with the heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Bucharest. The head of state reiterated on the occasion Romania’s backing for the Republic of Moldova within the European Union.

“After a period in which our goodwill was put to the test, there are now prerequisites for the reconstruction of a relation based on common trust, solidarity and aspirations, a kernel that we will not hesitate to value in our mutual interest. On our part, we will actively promote within the EU Chisinau’s inclusion in this space where, historically, it belongs. One obstacle to overcome is the Transdniestr conflict and, in our opinion, the Union could get more involved in this file”, stressed Traian Basescu.

He pointed out that Romania’s foreign policy in relation to the states in its eastern and south¬eastern neighborhood is grounded on solidarity and the valuing of opportunities. The information on an eventual visit of the head of the Romanian state to the neighboring country was released at the end of last week, being confirmed by the Moldovan Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca.

The head of Moldovan diplomacy stated on Saturday, at the end of the visit to Trakai, Lithuania, where he also met the Romanian ForMin Teodor Baconschi, that the “visit (of Traian Basescu- editor’s note) will be an important milestone in the further development of bilateral relations between the Republic of Moldova and Romania”.
Caretaker President of the Republic of Moldova Mihai Ghimpu addressed on Dec. 30, last year, to the head of the Romanian state, the invitation to pay a visit to Chisinau. The visit takes place in the context of improved relations between the two countries after the Chisinau Government reshuffle in the autumn of 2009.