Romania Supports Resumption Of Direct Bilateral Negotiations In Middle East – PM

„To uphold Romania’s consistent position regarding the Middle East peace process, we have restated our country’s support for a solution negotiated by the two parties, not a unilateral solution, as the only way to ensure real and solid foundations for durable peace. We have stressed the need for direct negotiations to be resumed as soon as possible,” said Boc.

He reminded that Romania and Israel have a long tradition of excellent political and economic cooperation.

Netanyahu is visiting Romania at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart. This is the first visit by an Israeli head of government to Romania in the last 20 years.

The Jerusalem Post wrote, in its June 10 edition, that Netanyahu will visit Romania and Bulgaria, as part of a diplomatic campaign opposing the UN’s recognition of a Palestinian state. He will later visit Poland and Hungary; the four former Eastern bloc states are considered some of Israel’s most reliable allies in Europe, according to the cited source.

Poland and Hungary are among the 18 states (including seven European Union member states) that voted in 2009 against the UN General Assembly’s resolution calling for independent investigations by Israel and Hamas into the allegations of war crimes committed by both sides during Israel’s bombing and invasion of the Gaza Strip, in late 2008-early 2009. Romania, Bulgaria and 13 other EU member states abstained.

The UN General Assembly’s vote on the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state is scheduled for its September session.