Romanian President: Romania Firmly Backs Macedonia EU Membership

Romanian President Traian Basescu (R) welcomes Macedonian President George Ivanov (L) at the beginning of their official meeting, at Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Romania, 06 October 2011. EPA/BGNES

Romania resolutely supports the EU and NATO integration of Macedonia, stated Romanian President Traian Basescu after meeting Macedonian counterpart George Ivanov in Bucharest.

Ivanov is on a two-day official visit to Romania in a bid to boost relations between the two neighbors of Bulgaria.

Speaking at an official press conference Thursday, Basescu nevertheless pointed out that Macedonia needs the approval of all EU member states to further integration, and that in particular it needs to resolve the festering name dispute with Greece.

"Irrespective of how things develop between Macedonia and Greece, Romania will be always firmly supportive of Macedonian EU and NATO membership. We do not have a single reason to be against," said the Romanian President.

Macedonian President George Ivanov thanked for the support and expressed his hopes that the integration process will progress for Macedonia, which from 2005 has an official status of an EU candidate country.

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