DELEGATION OF ROMANIA

WORKING GROUP IV.

21 OCTOBER 1994

Madame Chair,

The interesting discussions we have had at the last session of this Working Group and today on Mediterranean issues, provided me with the opportunity to make some comments with reference to my country's position towards this significant part of our work.

From the outset, let me state, Madame Chair, that Romania attaches great importance to the Mediterranean dimension of the CSCE and considers that it represents a relevant value of the pan-European forum from its inception, being further enshrined in our most important documents. We are aware that CSCE's cooperation with the Non-participating Mediterranean States has not been developed over the time in the manner it should have, but the overcoming of the East-West divide in Europe grounds for a new approach of the Mediterranean dimension in the CSCE's context. moreover now, when the wind of peace from the Middle East is ever growing, it is probably the time to think more thoroughly to a new form of cooperation, to be developed along the lines of our relevant documents. The incentives, in this respect, are the concrete proposals that have already been forwarded to us by the five Mediterranean non-participating states, Malta and Austria and we are in the position to say thet we look to their vast majority

in a favorable manner. In the same spirit, we understand the rationale behind the Algerian proposal to find a new domination for these countries to replace the present on, which tells us mainly what they are not. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider a new formulka which has to be aimed at defining in a positive manner what their status is vis-a-vis the CSCE.

Madame Chair,

Romania supports the idea of improving the CSCE cooperation with the countries of Southern Shore of the Mediterranean, which share the principles and objectives of the pan-European forum. In our view, such a trend has become a requirement which needs to be met, since the security in Europe can not be divided from the security in the Mediterranean and this idea actually defines a feature of the process initiated in 1975, through the Helsinki Final Act.

My country has expressed on many ocassions its interest in reaching long-lasting solutions for the problems of this area and it has been active in this respect. By means of tradition, Romania has developed good relations with the Mediterranean countries which are present here and we are firmly comitted to continue this policy, bearing also in mind that th Mediterranean is closely related to the Black Sea and therefore represents an important access area for my country. the latest developments encourages us to find new forms of ccoperation with the countries of Southern shore of the Mediterranean and our wish is to do so also in the CSCE context, which we entertain no doubt will be in the mutual benefit of all parties.

Madame Chair,

In expressing the need for a strenghtened cooperation, we also share the view that a balanced approach is appropriate, in the sense that a progressive development in our relations would better serve our common cause. To seek to achive in the near future what is available in practical terms and to take positive steps to expand the cooperation is in our view the appropriate way to tackle this issue. Therefore, in the early stages of our common endeavours to develop new forms of cooperation, it would be wiser to find the apprpriate structured forms and to focus mainly on those issues relating to economic, environmental, cultural and other fields of that sort. But we are furthermore consider that important aspects of political and military security relevant for Europe and for the Mediterranean, as well, have to be taken into consideration in our dialogue.

We do believe, Madame Chair, that this balanced approach might serve the aim of improving and further expanding our relations with the countries of the Southern shore of the Mediterranean.

Thank you, Madame Chair.