Romania sticks to its policy in relations with Moldova

Bucharest will not change its attitude concerning Romania’s relations with Moldova, Romanian President Traian Basescu told reporters on Friday, March 9, in Brussels, at the end of the spring European Council meeting. Romania follows a correct neighbourhood policy and has nothing to adjust in its policy within the bilateral relations. “As long as we respect standards of democracy, human rights, citizens’ rights to free circulation, respect for history, respect for neighbours, there’s nothing to adjust”, Basescu stated. The head of the Romanian state announced yesterday that Romania appealed to experts of the European Commission in order to work out a new law on citizenship. This law is to allow a much more rapid obtainment of Romanian citizenship by Moldovans. “Last month I initiated discussions with the President of the European Commission, Manuel Barosso and the European commissioner for Justice, Franco Frattini. Romania has a bill, but it should receive the agreement of the European Commission. We would not like to adopt a law which would fit Romania but affect the interests of other EU member states”, Basescu said. He said that it is very important that Romania should “adjust” its national interest to the general one of the EU, thus reinforcing it. Romania’s president made these statements shortly after a recently published interview of the Russian minister of Foreign Affairs, Serghei Lavrov, in which he criticised the EU and NATO for not taking attitude towards the issuance of Romanian citizenship to solicitors from Moldova. Authorities in Chisinau have also criticised the Romanian policy toward Moldova. A week ago, President Vladimir Voronin made a statement in this regard in TV show. Later, the Government in Chisinau issued a statement with similar accusations.