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Romanian Ex President Says Authorities Should Be More Politically Involved In Talks With Russia

Romania’s former president Ion Iliescu said Wednesday that Romania’s political relationship with Russia is very important and cannot be ignored and urged Romanian authorities to be more involved, adding President Traian Basescu contacted Vladimir Putin in the morning.
Romanian Ex President Says Authorities Should Be More Politically Involved In Talks With Russia
07 ian. 2009, 13:55, English

Asked whether he thinks Romanian authorities should be politically involved in managing the crisis triggered by Russia’s decision to cut natural gas supplies, Iliescu said: "Of course, because who’s in command there? Putin! Therefore the political relationship is important, it can’t be ignored. I see Traian Basescu already called Putin this morning."

Iliescu said he doesn’t know what the two officials discussed, adding jokingly that he “wasn’t listening in”.

"We should stop ignoring our direct, bilateral relationship with Russia and approach these issues. But Russia has large interests, including this relationship with Ukraine," he said.

The country’s former president added gas is a political instrument and Romania has the advantage of being a gas producer itself, unlike Bulgaria, which is left uncovered from this standpoint.

All Russian gas supplies to Romania were halted Wednesday morning, after deliveries were cut at Mediesu Aurit gas import station at around GMT0700. Gas supplies via the other gas import station, Isaccea, were cut Tuesday morning.

Romanian Economy Minister Adriean Videanu called Wednesday state of emergency in the energy system, saying the country currently has gas reserves to last for 60-80 days.