Here are President Traian Basescu’s main statements:
- we’re honoured to be the host of this event in a moment when we need critical analysis, discussions, consultancy and evaluations more than ever
- the EU has created the first world economy through common effort
- the uniqueness of the EU also consists in its intelligence and generosity of reaching out to ex-opponents
- the EU started its East European expansion 20 years ago, after the Iron Curtain fell
- The Central and East European countries had to be given the chance to change radically
- Romania is also part of the successful EU enlargement
- After being an isolated country, Romania has become part of the Occident again by joining the EU and NATO
- Russia is the biggest and most important neighbour, but also the most challenging. The list of disagreements is quite long
- Russia is the third most important trade EU partner; the main trade exchanges are Russian gas and oil exports
- the bilateral cooperation is structured into four important chapters: economic and environmental issues, international security, research and education, domestic business and justice
- the most important issues regarding the cooperation with Russia relate to the neighbouring region, East Europe and the Black Sea
- we face irreconcilable issues here regarding Russia’s unilateral recognition of Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence
- we also have the parallel energy projects and Moscow reticence regarding the Black Sea synergy and the Eastern partnership
- the EU will have to strive and convince Russia to cooperate and to involve Russia in partnerships, and this must be achieved with a certain distrust in mind
- the attacks on Georgia and the gas crisis have shaken the trust in Russia
- together with Russia, we’ll have to build not spheres of influence, but of trust
- the EU must accept Russia the way it is, asking for predictability and a minimum economic efficiency in return
- the global crises pushes more and more toward a collaboration between the European Union and Russia
- the EU – Russia cooperation works with satisfaction on both sides
- the Black Sea must be a destiny for unity, not for separation
- the European Union encourages the cooperation outside its borders
- we can enjoy together the same peace and economic cooperation