Why is Romania President Basescu boycotting meeting with Barack Obama: Kosovo "entity" not recognized by Romania

Miercuri, 25 mai 2011, 16:27 English | Top News

The Romanian Presidency confirmed on Wednesday that President Traian Basescu will not attend the summit of Central and Eastern European countries due to take place in Warsaw May 2-28. It said the decision was made due to the host country's move to invite an "entity" which is not recognized as a state by Romania. Kosovo, which has not been recognized by Romania, is invited at the summit in Warsaw. Boycotting the reunion means President Basescu will not attend a meeting with US President Barack Obama at the event.

A statement of Presidency spokesman Valeriu Turcan, quoted by news agency Agerpres, says that the 17th reunion of heads of state in the CEE takes place in Warsaw May 27-28 and, considering that the hosts of the reunion this year decided to invite an entity which is not recognized as a state by our country, President Traian Basescu will not attend the event.

Polish media reported on Tuesday that Poland, convinced by the US, invited Kosovo leader Atifete Jahjaga at the event as well. Kosovo's statehood is not recognized by Serbia, Slovakia and Romania.

The previous Obama-Basescu meeting took place in Prague in 2010, when no Kosovo official was invited.