Romanian-Lebanese high-level talks

 

 

Beirut, April 15 /Agerpres/ - Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday said in a press conference held in Beirut together with his counterpart Michel Sleiman that the main message he wanted to convey to the Lebanese President has been one of strong support for the consolidation of the unity, the independence, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Lebanon.

'From this perspective, Romania believes that the national dialogue held with support from the League of Arab States is a basic political instrument in the process of inter-Lebanese reconciliation, ' has said Basescu, adding that in its capacity as member of a country of the European Union, Romania wants to support Lebanon in the process of consolidation of the institutions of the state.

Basescu has added that it has been agreed on the development of the cooperation between the two armies and that an important step in this respect will be the framework agreement of cooperation between the two states, which could aim not only at the equipping with Romanian weaponry, but also at the training in educational institutions in Romania.

Basescu has also said that the coordination of the cooperation in the field of police has been decided, firstly, as regards the combating of organized crime. He has stressed the importance of the battle against drug trafficking, terrorism, and human trafficking, showing that it is in the interest of both states that security be ensured in the region, and assymetric risks be diminished.

Traian Basescu underscored that Romania would support Lebanon for filling, in 2010, a non-permanent position in the UN Security Council.

Basescu has also stressed that Lebanon is an important economic partner of Romania in the region, filling the third position as a destination of the exports of Romania to the Middle East, after the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

President Basescu has added that approached have been new cooperation projects in the energy and industrial field.

The Lebanese president for his part has said that during the bilateral talks, the two parties have agreed 'to improve the trade balance, to encourage investment and strengthen the means of economic cooperation. 'He has added that during the talks, president Basescu has said that he thinks of an increase in the number of visas for the Lebanese youth, for them to be able to study in Romania.

President Basescu has thanked for the way in which the community of Romanians in Lebanon is dealt with, he has voiced appreciation for the way in which the Lebanese citizens who have settled in Romania are participating in the social and cultural life of the country.

President Traian Basescu is paying an official visit to Lebanon on Wednesday and Thursday, at the invitation of his Lebanese counterpart Michel Sleiman.

President Basescu and his spouse Maria Basescu were welcome on Thursday at Baabda Place in Beirut by Lebanese President, general Michel Sleiman, accompanied by Mrs. Wafaa Sleiman. After the official welcoming ceremony, the two head of state held one-to-one talks, followed buy talks in the plenum of the two official delegations.

The head of the Romanian state will meet on Wednesday evening at Romania's Embassy in Lebanon with representatives of the Romanian community of this country.

On Thursday, the second day of the official visit is scheduled a meeting with Lebanese businessmen at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut Mont Liban.

Also on Thursday, the Romanian President will hold talks with Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fouad Simiora and with Chairman of the National Assembly of Lebanon, Nabih Berri.

 

[Source: Romanian National News Agency AGERPRES ]