Romanian President Wants To Encourage “Stronger” Romanian Associations

Basescu noted the need for unity in these associations to become “powerful” communication partners in relation with national governments and the European Commission.

Basescu left for Spain on Saturday to attend the opening reunion of the Romanian Associations Forum. He will also attend religious services at the Orthodox, Adventist and Pentecostal parishes near Madrid, and will meet with local and regional authorities.

Before departure, Basescu stated “for the people interested in the matter” he was invited to Spain as head of state, not as “a private individual”, and “not on an official visit” and he accepted the invitation of the organizing association, the Federation of Romanian Associations in Spain (FADER).

Titus Corlatean, secretary general of Romania’s main opposition Social Democratic Party, said Friday the forum of Romanians living in the Spain is an electoral move of the Democratic Liberal Party, and asked the presidency to explain the use of public money in Basescu’s departure to the event.

He added the Social Democratic Party asks Romanian electoral authorities to include the respective expenses in the electoral expenses of the liberal democrats for the campaign.

"We are asking the president to observe his status and not get involved in the Democratic Liberal Party’s election campaign,” Corlatean said.