Foreign relations of Romania

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Romania

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Romania

Constitution President Traian Băsescu Government Prime Minister Călin Popescu- Tăriceanu Cabinet Parliament Senate Chamber of Deputies High Court of Cassation and Justice Supreme Council of National Defense Ombudsman Constitutional Court Political parties Elections Parliament: 2004 - 2008 President: 2004 - 2009 Subdivisions Counties Foreign relations European Union Leonard Orban

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Since December 1989, Romania has pursued a policy of strengthening relations with the West in general, more specifically with the United States and the European Union.

Romania joined the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 1972, and is a member of the World Trade Organization.

It joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on March 29, 2004 and the European Union (EU) on January 1, 2007.

The current government has stated its goal of strengthening ties with and helping other Eastern European countries (in particular Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia) with the process of integration with the West. Romania has also made clear over the past 10 years that it supports NATO and EU membership for the democratic former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. In December 2005, President Traian Băsescu and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed an agreement that would allow a U.S. military presence at several Romanian facilities primarily in the eastern part of the country.

Romania also declared its public support for Turkey and Croatia joining the European Union. Romania shares a privileged economic relation with Turkey.

Romania has developed strong relations with Hungary, with the latter playing a key role in supporting Romania's bid to join the EU. Romania's ethnic Hungarian party also participates in the current governing coalition.

Contents 1 Military relations and peacekeeping missions 2 Regional relations 3 Relations with Moldova 4 Disputes - international 5 Illicit drugs

[edit] Military relations and peacekeeping missions

Romania was a partner to the allied forces during the Gulf war, particularly during its service as president of the UN Security Council. Romania has been active in peacekeeping operations in UNAVEM in Angola, IFOR/SFOR in Bosnia, in Albania, in Afghanistan and has sent 860 troops in Iraq after the invasion led by the United States.

Romania enforced United Nations' sanctions against the Yugoslavia. Despite divisions within the Parliament and among the people, Romania supported NATO in the Kosovo campaign and granted approval for NATO to overfly Romanian airspace. It was the first country to enroll in NATO's Partnership for Peace program, later joining NATO in 2004.

Romania also is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC).

[edit] Regional relations

In 1996, Romania signed and ratified a basic bilateral treaty with Hungary that settled outstanding disagreements, laying the foundation for closer, more cooperative relations. In June 1997, Romania signed a bilateral treaty with Ukraine that, among other concerned, resolved territorial and minority issues that had impeded the development of improved relations between the two countries.

Romania has been actively involved in regional organizations, such as the Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI) and the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, and has played a key role in supporting stability and cooperation in the area.

Romania maintains good diplomatic relations with Israel and was supportive of the Middle East peace negotiations initiated after the Gulf conflict in 1991. Romania also is a founding member of the Black Sea Consortium for Economic Development.

[edit] Relations with Moldova

Romania's relations with neighbour Moldova have been strained since 1994. Most of Moldova was part of Romania during the interwar period and linguists generally agree that the Moldovan language is similar to Romanian (and by almost all accounts, the same as Romanian). However, the Moldovans have been ambivalent about whether they consider themselves Romanians or Moldovans. Early signs that Romania and Moldova might unite after both countries achieved emancipation from communist rule quickly faded. Romania remains interested in Moldovan affairs, especially that country's civil conflict with the breakaway republic of Transnistria. However, the two countries have been unable even to reach agreement on a basic bilateral treaty; Romania is insistent (against determined Moldovan resistance) that such a treaty would have to refer to Romania and Moldova's 'special relationship'.

[edit] Disputes - international

• Dispute with Ukraine over Insula şerpilor (Snake Island - aprox 50 km east of Sulina) and its continental shelf of the Black Sea under which significant gas and oil deposits may exist; agreed in 1997 to two-year negotiating period, after which either party can refer dispute to the International Court of Justice.
• Dispute with Ukraine over the construction of the Bastroe Channel.
• Dispute with Russia over the Romanian Treasure.

[edit] Illicit drugs

Important transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe.