Moldova was forced out of Europe in 1940 - Traian Basescu

Romania intends to find support from the EU in order to bring Moldova back to Europe, which Moldova left in 1940 against its will, Romanian President Traian Basescu stated Wednesday, January 31, in a speech delivered before the European Parliament. Romanians and Moldovans share the same history, speak the same language, have the same culture, the same traditions and the same European aspirations. For certain, it is a moral and political obligation of Romania and of Romanian people to fight so that their families living on the eastern side of Prut come back home, in Europe. The European prospect offered to Moldova must be similar to that of the Western Balkans, Basescu stated, mentioning that the difficulties in the Western Balkans request an integrated solution, including a clearly secured European prospect. In the Western Balkans, the year 2007 will represent to some extent “the year of the truth”. It is the year when the EU will have to show that it can recommend a viable solution regarding Kosovo. Another zone that draws Romania’s attention more and more is the Black See region. Romania wants to provide the region with instruments and mechanisms for controlling the illicit trafficking of any kind, combating terrorism and proliferation of mass destruction weapons. “We wish that the year 2007 bring along real progress in settling the ‘frozen’ conflicts in the region and we are ready to open dialogue with any partner that can contribute to it”, Basescu stated. At the same time, he said that Romania will support the EU’s involvement in the process of settling the ‘frozen’ conflicts, including under the umbrella of the European Security and Defence Policy and trusts that the neighbour states will transform this region into a model of peaceful coexistence.