RRA: Exclusive interview of Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleșcanu

Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleșcanu, is meeting today, in Astana, with his Kazakh counterpart, Kairat Abdrahkamov, on the occasion of Romania's National Day at the EXPO Astana 2017 World Exhibition „Future Energy . They will discuss about how the Astana 2017 international exhibition could change the world.

This year’s theme of the event is "Energy of the Future", which means that this country suggests the search for renewable or even unconventional energy sources. What is less known for the time being is that this event will be an important step ahead in the negotiations on – to make up an example – peace settlement in Syria.

Reporter: You had a meeting with the Kazakh Prime Minister yesterday, after a long period of time when no such meetings between officials in the two countries took place. How was it?

Teodor Meleșcanu: It is true that we haven’t had any contacts at Prime Minister level between Romania and Kazakhstan since 2013. The meeting was very relaxed, my counterpart was extremely interested in the development of relations with Romania, especially in the economic field and he showed great willingness to find new areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Reporter: As far as I understand, the Kazakh Prime Minister has confirmed he would have a meeting with you while he was on holiday. What does this mean in diplomatic language?

Teodor Meleșcanu: It is a clear manifestation of the interest for the discussion you will have. This year is the celebration of 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Romania and Kazakhstan. Yesterday we signed a statement on this important event in the relations between Romania and Kazakhstan. And the second argument that I think has played an important role is that today, Romania celebrates its National Day at the Astana Exhibition, a very important stand already.

Reporter: Beyond the attraction of this project, what does Romania's presence at Expo Astana mean?

Teodor Meleșcanu: It means, in the first place, a very clear confirmation of the potential Romania has and of the special activities Romania develops in the field of energy. We are one of the countries that historically have a very important inheritance in terms of energy, oil, natural gas, we are one of the most important players in Europe today, with our transit position for gas coming from the Eastern parts of Central Asia, through the Caspian and the Mediterranean Seas, we are working on the idea of a corridor going through Romania to supply Western European countries. Above all, though, it was a demonstration that we are able to come up with projects that far exceed what is currently taken into consideration and I mean, for real, the laser installation in Măgurele, the world's most powerful laser, a unique laser with an extraordinary capacity to open an energy gate where light can become energy in itself. So from this point of view ...

Reporter: Are they interested in this project, too?

Teodor Meleșcanu: Very interested. This project is considered to be probably the most revolutionary of all projects that have been presented this year in Astana.

Reporter: Today, on the occasion of the opening of the National Day of Romania at Expo Astana, you also have a meeting with your counterpart and then a joint press conference. Do you have any mandate with which you go to this discussion or is it that you have decided to open a certain subject with him?

Teodor Meleșcanu: Yes, first of all, I had a working lunch with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, when we focused on a very important topic for me. We did not discuss bilateral issues, we discussed policy issues in general and area issues in particular. The interest we have shown for and to which we have in fact devoted most of our time was the role and perspectives that the Astana process can play in finding a solution to the conflict in Syria. As you know, for the first time, the Kazakhs have been able to convene a number of important countries, namely Russia, Iran and Turkey, on the one hand, representatives of the Assad’s Government, and representatives of the armed opposition movements from Syria to negotiate a ceasefire agreement. I have discussed with the Minister, who explained to me that during the Astana process certain safety zones are to be established, where everybody can rely on the cease of the conflict, because unfortunately, the ceasefire in Syria has not been successful so far and here is something very important I would like to say. This Astana process cannot replace the UN efforts, the Geneva Conference to find a negociated policy in the Syrian crisis, but it can represent a very important step, a first pillar that can constitute a basis for a further political dialogue.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei