Romanian president’s visit - The Japan TimesSecure Site...
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6 THE JAPAN TIMES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 (3) Romanian president’s visit Romania seeks to expand ties with Japan Traian Basescu PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA ------------------------------------------ During my visit in Tokyo, I shall have the privilege, for the second time, to be received by their Imperial Majesties the Emperor Akihito and the Empress Michiko of Japan. This is my second visit to your beautiful country since 2005, when Romania participated at the Aichi World Expo. This time I am accompanied by a numerous delegation of high government officials, which proves our major interest in upgrading the strong partner- ship established with Japan in 2002. Romania and Japan share fundamental values, such as democracy, rule of law, hu- man rights and basic free- doms, market economy prin- ciples. They also enjoy a sound economic cooperation. Last year Romania and Ja- pan celebrated the 50th anni- versary of the resumption of diplomatic relations, and I had the pleasure to host the visit of their Imperial High- nesses Prince and Princess Akishino. During my stay in Japan, I shall have consultations with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoya- ma and I shall meet the presi- dents of the two Houses of the Diet, Mr. Satsuki Eda and Mr. Takahiro Yokomichi. I shall also meet the leadership of Keidanren and I shall address the bilateral Business Forum. My visit will give us the oc- casion to sign a new bilateral agreement for an important infrastructure project in Ro- mania, with a significant eco- logical component. I would like to stress that Romania’s EU membership offers a significant added val- ue to the traditional compara- tive advantages of my coun- try. Romania is involved in a very complex program of de- veloping its infrastructure, in- cluding the pan-European transport infrastructure. We actively support energy pro- jects of European relevance, and most importantly the Na- bucco gas pipeline, as well as large scale projects such as the European Danube Region Strategy. I take this opportunity to warmly invite Japanese com- panies to participate in these projects. I would like to ac- knowledge the Japanese com- panies that have already in- vested in Romania, including in green field projects like JTEKT, Sumitomo Wiring, Makita, Yazaki, YKK, etc. Romania is interested in further developing the auto- motive industry in the use on a larger scale of green sources of energy and in putting a greater emphasis on green technologies, fields in which Japan has an impressive ex- pertise. Romanian companies coop- erate very well with Japanese companies in third markets and we would like this tradi- tion to be continued. We would like to boost our trade rela- tions and to increase Roma- nia’s exports to the Japanese market. Tourism is another field we would like to promote. Roma- nia benefits from a great natu- ral diversity and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. I would like Japanese tourism companies and Japa- nese people to take greater ad- vantage of Romania’s ex- tremely diverse traditions and of our hospitality because, as an old Japanese saying goes, ‘‘Seeing once is worth more than hearing a hundred times.’’ The prospects for strength- ening the economic coopera- tion between Romania and Ja- pan are encouraging. Roma- nia supports the negotiation between the EU and Japan re- garding an economic partner- ship agreement. Last but not least, I would like to draw your attention to the great cooperation poten- tial in such fields as education, culture and science. We al- ready have in place coopera- tion agreements between Ro- manian and Japanese univer- sities. There are Romanian students in Japan, as well as an increasing number of Japa- nese students in Romania, studying medicine, mathe- matics and music, to name just a few examples. In Roma- nia we also have an increasing number of young people inter- ested in the study of Japanese language and culture. They will create the basis for a more profound awareness in both our countries and will expand people to people exchanges. Romanian culture is one of the most interesting and origi- nal cultures in Europe. Many of our recent films have gained an excellent reputation in Europe and I trust that some were screened and en- joyed in Japan. In 2017 Romania and Japan will celebrate a century of dip- lomatic relations. I sincerely hope that we will welcome that significant moment with new achievements. I know that there are many bilateral friendship associations, both in Japan and in Romania, working with enthusiasm with the aim of deepening the mu- tual understanding of our cul- tures, traditions and ways of life. I therefore invite you all to start preparations for cele- brating in 2017 the year of Ro- manian-Japanese friendship! Highlights in the life of Romania’s Traian Basescu Personal: Born Nov. 4, 1951, Basarabi Town, Constanta County; married to Maria Ba- sescu; two daughters Religion: Christian Orthodox Nationality: Romanian Citizenship: Romanian Foreign languages: English Education: 1995 — Advanced course of management in the field of maritime transport, Norway 1976 — ‘‘Mircea cel Batran’’ Naval Academy of Constanta, Faculty of Navigation, Mer- chant Navy Section Professional Career: 2004-present, President of Ro- mania 2000-2004, Mayor of Bucharest 1996-2000, Minister for Trans- port in the Victor Ciorbea, Ra- du Vasile and Mugur Isarescu Cabinets 1992-1996, Member of the Par- liament of Romania, Chamber of Deputies 1991-1992, Minister for Trans- port in the Petre Roman and Theodor Stolojan Cabinets 1990-1991, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Transporta- tion, Department of Maritime Transports 1989-1990, General director, Merchant Navy Department, Ministry of Transportation 1987-1989, Head officer of the NAVROM (the Romanian state-owned shipping compa- ny) Agency in Anvers 1981-1987, Merchant Navy Captain 1976-1981, Merchant Navy offi- cer, NAVROM, Constanta Political Career: 2003-2004, Leader of the Jus- tice and Truth Alliance 2001-2004, President of the Democratic Party 2000-2001, President of the Democratic Party branch in Bucharest 1996-2000, Minister for Trans- port in the Victor Ciorbea, Ra- du Vasile, Mugur Isarescu Cabinets 1996, leaves Parliament; di- rector of the electoral cam- paign of Petre Roman 1992-1996, Member of Parlia- ment from the Democratic Party; Vice President of the Industry Committee, Cham- ber of Deputies 1991-1992, Minister for Trans- port in the Petre Roman and Theodor Stolojan governments Romanian president’s agenda on first visit to Japan in five years Romanian President Traian Basescu and his wife, Maria, will pay an official working visit to Japan March 9-11 to further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Romania, which dates back to 1902. During their stay in Japan, the president and his wife will make a state call on the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who will host a court luncheon in honor of the Romanian president and his wife on March 10. President Basescu is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on the same day. The relations between Romania and Japan have remained friendly over more than a century of exchanges. In 2004, various events were organized in both countries to mark the centennial of the commencement of bilateral ties, including the official visit to Japan by then Romanian President Ion Iliescu. President Basescu, who was re-elected to a second five-year term in December last year, visited Japan in June 2005 to attend the ceremony marking the Romanian National Day at the country’s venue at EXPO 2005 Aichi. On that occasion, he held a meeting with then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Born in November 1951 in Murfatlar, southeast Romania, Basescu graduated from the Naval Institute of Constanta in 1976 and became a Merchant Marine Officer at Navrom, the Romanian state-owned shipping company. Between 1981 and 1987 he served as captain on Romanian commercial ships. He entered politics after the 1989 anticommunism Romanian Revolution as a member of the large National Salvation Front (FSN) party. In April 1991, he became minister of transport. After the FSN split in two factions in 1992 — the Social Democratic Party of Romania and the Democratic Party (PD) — he joined the PD faction. In 1992, he was elected to the lower house of the Romanian Parliament, then re-elected for the 1996-2000 term. Basescu served as transport minister in the country’s first reformed communist government between 1991 and 1992, and later held the same office in a centrist-liberal Cabinet from 1996 to 2000. In 2000, Basescu was elected mayor of Bucharest. In 2004, he was elected for a second term in office but resigned as mayor later that year after winning the presidency of Romania. While serving as mayor, he was elected chairman of the Democratic Party in 2001. During his first five-year tenure as president, Basescu helped Romania achieve its accession to the European Union on Jan. 1, 2007. He also focused on a strong strategic partnership with the United States, as evidenced by his continued commitment to maintain Romanian troops in Afghanistan and a smaller contingent in Iraq. Golden year: Prince and Princess Akishino call on Romanian President Traian Basescu and his wife, Maria, during their visit to Romania in May 2009 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the resumption of Romanian-Japanese relations. Imperial debut: Romanian President Traian Basescu and his wife, Maria, meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in Tokyo during their first visit to Japan in 2005. Nature, history: UNESCO World Heritage sites in Romania include Biertan village in Transylvania, with its fortified church built in the Middle Ages (above), and the Danube delta (left), the second-largest in Europe and one of the best-preserved, where some 300 species of birds live. Traian Basescu
Transcript of Romanian president’s visit - The Japan TimesSecure Site...
The Japan Times PUBDATE: 3/10/20010 PAGE: 6 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 17:41:24
3/10/1910 / / PT SUP/PG 6/ED 1
6 THE JAPAN TIMES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 (3)
Romanian president’s visit
Romania seeks to expand ties with JapanTraian BasescuPRESIDENT OF ROMANIA
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During my visit in Tokyo, Ishall have the privilege, forthe second time, to be receivedby their Imperial Majestiesthe Emperor Akihito and theEmpress Michiko of Japan.This is my second visit to yourbeautiful country since 2005,when Romania participated atthe Aichi World Expo. Thistime I am accompanied by anumerous delegation of highgovernment officials, whichproves our major interest inupgrading the strong partner-ship established with Japan in2002.
Romania and Japan sharefundamental values, such asdemocracy, rule of law, hu-man rights and basic free-doms, market economy prin-ciples. They also enjoy a soundeconomic cooperation.
Last year Romania and Ja-pan celebrated the 50th anni-versary of the resumption ofdiplomatic relations, and Ihad the pleasure to host thevisit of their Imperial High-nesses Prince and PrincessAkishino.
During my stay in Japan, Ishall have consultations withPrime Minister Yukio Hatoya-ma and I shall meet the presi-dents of the two Houses of theDiet, Mr. Satsuki Eda and Mr.Takahiro Yokomichi. I shallalso meet the leadership ofKeidanren and I shall addressthe bilateral Business Forum.
My visit will give us the oc-casion to sign a new bilateralagreement for an importantinfrastructure project in Ro-mania, with a significant eco-logical component.
I would like to stress thatRomania’s EU membershipoffers a significant added val-ue to the traditional compara-tive advantages of my coun-try. Romania is involved in avery complex program of de-veloping its infrastructure, in-cluding the pan-Europeantransport infrastructure. Weactively support energy pro-jects of European relevance,and most importantly the Na-bucco gas pipeline, as well as
large scale projects such asthe European Danube RegionStrategy.
I take this opportunity towarmly invite Japanese com-panies to participate in theseprojects. I would like to ac-knowledge the Japanese com-panies that have already in-vested in Romania, includingin green field projects likeJTEKT, Sumitomo Wiring,Makita, Yazaki, YKK, etc.
Romania is interested infurther developing the auto-motive industry in the use on alarger scale of green sourcesof energy and in putting agreater emphasis on greentechnologies, fields in whichJapan has an impressive ex-pertise.
Romanian companies coop-erate very well with Japanesecompanies in third marketsand we would like this tradi-tion to be continued. We wouldlike to boost our trade rela-tions and to increase Roma-nia’s exports to the Japanesemarket.
Tourism is another field wewould like to promote. Roma-nia benefits from a great natu-ral diversity and numerousUNESCO World Heritagesites. I would like Japanesetourism companies and Japa-
nese people to take greater ad-vantage of Romania’s ex-tremely diverse traditions andof our hospitality because, asan old Japanese saying goes,‘‘Seeing once is worth morethan hearing a hundredtimes.’’
The prospects for strength-ening the economic coopera-tion between Romania and Ja-
pan are encouraging. Roma-nia supports the negotiationbetween the EU and Japan re-garding an economic partner-ship agreement.
Last but not least, I wouldlike to draw your attention tothe great cooperation poten-tial in such fields as education,culture and science. We al-ready have in place coopera-
tion agreements between Ro-manian and Japanese univer-sities. There are Romanianstudents in Japan, as well asan increasing number of Japa-nese students in Romania,studying medicine, mathe-matics and music, to namejust a few examples. In Roma-nia we also have an increasingnumber of young people inter-ested in the study of Japaneselanguage and culture. Theywill create the basis for a moreprofound awareness in bothour countries and will expandpeople to people exchanges.
Romanian culture is one ofthe most interesting and origi-nal cultures in Europe. Manyof our recent films havegained an excellent reputationin Europe and I trust thatsome were screened and en-joyed in Japan.
In 2017 Romania and Japanwill celebrate a century of dip-lomatic relations. I sincerelyhope that we will welcome thatsignificant moment with newachievements. I know thatthere are many bilateralfriendship associations, bothin Japan and in Romania,working with enthusiasm withthe aim of deepening the mu-tual understanding of our cul-tures, traditions and ways oflife. I therefore invite you allto start preparations for cele-brating in 2017 the year of Ro-manian-Japanese friendship!
Highlights in the life of Romania’s Traian Basescu
Personal: Born Nov. 4, 1951,Basarabi Town, ConstantaCounty; married to Maria Ba-sescu; two daughtersReligion: Christian OrthodoxNationality: RomanianCitizenship: RomanianForeign languages: English
Education:1995 — Advanced course ofmanagement in the field ofmaritime transport, Norway1976 — ‘‘Mircea cel Batran’’Naval Academy of Constanta,Faculty of Navigation, Mer-chant Navy Section
Professional Career:2004-present, President of Ro-mania2000-2004, Mayor of Bucharest1996-2000, Minister for Trans-port in the Victor Ciorbea, Ra-du Vasile and Mugur IsarescuCabinets1992-1996, Member of the Par-liament of Romania, Chamberof Deputies
1991-1992, Minister for Trans-port in the Petre Roman andTheodor Stolojan Cabinets1990-1991, Undersecretary ofState, Ministry of Transporta-tion, Department of MaritimeTransports1989-1990, General director,Merchant Navy Department,Ministry of Transportation1987-1989, Head officer of theNAVROM (the Romanianstate-owned shipping compa-ny) Agency in Anvers1981-1987, Merchant NavyCaptain1976-1981, Merchant Navy offi-cer, NAVROM, Constanta
Political Career:2003-2004, Leader of the Jus-tice and Truth Alliance2001-2004, President of theDemocratic Party2000-2001, President of theDemocratic Party branch inBucharest1996-2000, Minister for Trans-port in the Victor Ciorbea, Ra-
du Vasile, Mugur IsarescuCabinets1996, leaves Parliament; di-rector of the electoral cam-paign of Petre Roman1992-1996, Member of Parlia-ment from the DemocraticParty; Vice President of theIndustry Committee, Cham-ber of Deputies1991-1992, Minister for Trans-port in the Petre Roman andTheodor Stolojan governments
Romanian president’s agendaon first visit to Japan in five yearsRomanian President Traian Basescu and his wife,Maria, will pay an official working visit to JapanMarch 9-11 to further strengthen the friendlyrelations between Japan and Romania, whichdates back to 1902.
During their stay in Japan, the president and hiswife will make a state call on the Emperor Akihitoand Empress Michiko, who will host a courtluncheon in honor of the Romanian president andhis wife on March 10.
President Basescu is also scheduled to hold ameeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama onthe same day.
The relations between Romania and Japanhave remained friendly over more than a centuryof exchanges. In 2004, various events wereorganized in both countries to mark the centennialof the commencement of bilateral ties, includingthe official visit to Japan by then RomanianPresident Ion Iliescu.
President Basescu, who was re-elected to asecond five-year term in December last year,visited Japan in June 2005 to attend the ceremonymarking the Romanian National Day at thecountry’s venue at EXPO 2005 Aichi. On thatoccasion, he held a meeting with then PrimeMinister Junichiro Koizumi.
Born in November 1951 in Murfatlar, southeastRomania, Basescu graduated from the NavalInstitute of Constanta in 1976 and became aMerchant Marine Officer at Navrom, theRomanian state-owned shipping company.Between 1981 and 1987 he served as captain onRomanian commercial ships.
He entered politics after the 1989anticommunism Romanian Revolution as amember of the large National Salvation Front(FSN) party. In April 1991, he became minister oftransport. After the FSN split in two factions in1992 — the Social Democratic Party of Romaniaand the Democratic Party (PD) — he joined thePD faction.
In 1992, he was elected to the lower house ofthe Romanian Parliament, then re-elected for the
1996-2000 term. Basescu served as transportminister in the country’s first reformed communistgovernment between 1991 and 1992, and laterheld the same office in a centrist-liberal Cabinetfrom 1996 to 2000.
In 2000, Basescu was elected mayor ofBucharest. In 2004, he was elected for a secondterm in office but resigned as mayor later that yearafter winning the presidency of Romania. Whileserving as mayor, he was elected chairman of theDemocratic Party in 2001.
During his first five-year tenure as president,Basescu helped Romania achieve its accession tothe European Union on Jan. 1, 2007. He alsofocused on a strong strategic partnership with theUnited States, as evidenced by his continuedcommitment to maintain Romanian troops inAfghanistan and a smaller contingent in Iraq.
Golden year: Prince and Princess Akishino call on Romanian President Traian Basescu andhis wife, Maria, during their visit to Romania in May 2009 in celebration of the 50th anniversaryof the resumption of Romanian-Japanese relations.
Imperial debut: Romanian President Traian Basescu and his wife, Maria, meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in Tokyoduring their first visit to Japan in 2005.
Nature, history: UNESCO World Heritage sites in Romania include Biertan village in Transylvania,with its fortified church built in the Middle Ages (above), and the Danube delta (left), thesecond-largest in Europe and one of the best-preserved, where some 300 species of birds live.
Traian Basescu
