Romania Supports Resuming Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations Without Preconditions

„I have informed President Peres of Romania’s position regarding two issues. One is the resuming of Israeli-Palestinian negotiation, which we believe should have no preconditions attached, and the other is the resuming of Syrian-Israeli negotiations, in the same manner,” Basescu said, adding preconditions would block negotiations in the Muddle East.

Basescu also said talks with Peres touched on the two countries’ bilateral cooperation in the military, technology, education, business and tourism, besides regional issues and the Middle East peace process.

Peres is in Romania for a two-day visit for a memorial service for the six Israeli soldiers and Romanian who died in a helicopter crash last month and talks with Romanian officials.

The Israeli head of state will meet Thursday afternoon with Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, and Friday morning with the heads of the two chambers of Parliament – Roberta Anastase and Mircea Geoana.

Peres will also visit the Holocaust Memorial in Bucharest.

Before coming to Romania, Peres visited Bulgaria. The Israeli president’s visit to Bulgaria and Romania is part of an ongoing project to strengthen relations with states in Central and Eastern Europe, especially NATO and/or EU members. Peres was in Slovenia and Croatia in June and plans to visit Ukraine in September.