Romanian President pleads for Moldova’s accession to EU together with the West Balkan states

To let Moldova join the EU on another date than together with West Balkan states is almost a conviction, stated Romanian President Traian Basescu at the annual meeting of Romania’s ambassadors and consuls. Regardless of the tensions aroused between Bucharest and Chisinau, to support Moldova’s adherence to EU is an obligation of each Romanian diplomat, whether he is an ambassador or any other employee of the embassy, the Romanian President said. Basescu also said that he showed great understanding for Chisinau’s inconvenient statements more than once, until he felt they went to extremes. Also, he said that he understands the situation of the politicians in Chisinau, who, on one hand aim at approaching the EU, and on the other hand try to negotiate with Transnistria, talks which can only take place in Tiraspol. This is why Chisinau’s contradictory statements should be understood, said the Romanian President, mentioning also that he wouldn’t want to be even for a day in the skin of the president, prime-minister, or the head of diplomacy of Moldova. “This doesn’t mean that we accept public games of the kind that happened with the diplomat in Chisinau”, emphasised Basescu. The episode concerning the diplomat in Chisinau was left uncovered by any proof, at least audio or video, except for statements and stories, said Basescu. The Romanian President pleaded for simplifying the procedure of visa issuance. Visas should be issued at the border, at the simple request of Moldovan nationals. Basescu also declared that the authorities in Chisinau could request Romania not to issue visas at all. We understand that they already have a problem with Transnistria and that is why they are obliged to have a harsher position, the Romanian President said.