President-Elect Calls For Closer Relations With Eastern Neighbors

Romanian President-elect Traian Basescu has outlined his foreign policy goals following his upset victory in a runoff election on 12 December. Basescu strongly endorsed Romania's partnership with the United States and Britain. He also said he wants stronger ties with Moldova and increased regional cooperation, including with Ukraine, Russia, and the Caucasus. Basescu said his top priority remains Romania's membership in the European Union. But he has stirred controversy by suggesting that he might call for reopening EU entry negotiations on some issues. Prague, 15 December 2004 (RFE/RL) -- In his first speech since defeating Prime Minister Adrian Nastase in a tense runoff vote, President-elect Basescu affirmed his commitment to Romania's partnership with the United States and Britain. "The Washington-London-Bucharest axis will be a foreign policy priority for Romania's president," Basescu said. Basescu also said EU candidate Romania's must consolidate its position as a pillar for stability in southeastern Europe: "Romania is located in NATO and the European Union's buffer zone with the ex-Soviet states," Basescu said. "In this respect, Romania, by maintaining good relations with [states such as] Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, must be a stability factor at NATO's [eastern] border." Western analysts say Basescu's statements suggest he is moving quickly to capitalize on the Euro-Atlantic organizations' renewed strategic interests in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Greater Middle East.