Romanian President Traian Basescu Told DIPLOMACY Chairman Dr. Limb: ˇ°ROK, a Valuable Partner to Promote Romania's Shared Economic Interestsˇ±
Romanian President Traian Basescu made a two-day state visit to South Korea at the invitation of President Roh Moo-hyun from October 18 to 19, 2005. During his stay in Seoul, President Basescu had an exclusive interview with Dr. Thok-kyu Limb, chairman of DIPLOMACY, at the Hotel Shilla in Seoul. In his exclusive interview with Dr. Limb, President Basescu said, "In the context of the existing trade imbalance between our countries, we are interested in an even more active presence of the Korean companies in Romania, especially in the automotive industry, energy, and IT. We believe that more direct Korean investments will have a positive impact on increasing competitiveness of our products, with beneficial effects on the internal market and Romanian exports." The following are excerpts from the exclusive interview. -Ed.
Question: His Excellency Traian Basescu, President of Romania, first of all, I would like to express my heartfelt greetings to your visit to Seoul. What is your main purpose to visit Korea? Answer: First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to make my opinions known to the readers of such a prestigious magazine as DIPLOMACY. My official visit to Korea takes place under the auspices of the 15th Anniversary of fruitful diplomatic relations between Romania and the Republic of Korea. Our bilateral relations have developed continuously since 1990, gaining more substance every year as a result of our joint interests and efforts. We have a wide range of cooperation areas, among which the economic field stands out. Romania would like to see its relationship with the Republic of Korea further expanded and deepened. The main purpose of my presence in Korea is to give a political signal, at the highest level, about our commitment to enhance the relations between our two countries that share, in different geographic areas, the same values of democracy, market economy, and respect of human rights.
Q: How do you foresee the promotion of economic relations between Romania and Korea? A: As a key player in Asia, the Republic of Korea is a valuable partner for us, with whom we use the complex mechanisms of bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, in order to promote our shared economic interests. The Romanian market is already a well known entity to the Korean investors and business people. Korea, with a total of US$217.4 million, is the number one Asian direct investor in the Romanian economy and ranks among the top foreign investors. The bilateral trade figures for 2004 show total exchanges in the amount of US$452.7 million (unfortunately, with a substantial deficit for Romania). There is a positive trend for 2005. Over the last 15 years, Romania has developed a market-oriented economy and a comprehensive privatization process of the state-owned companies. These elements, together with the imminence of Romania's joining the European Union, proved to be strong incentives for our Korean partners who took advantage of the opportunities created by an encouraging investment law and a friendly business climate. Over the past few years, Romania has registered a constant and substantial economic growth which provided excellent prospects of cooperation, especially in infrastructure, tourism, science and technology. As you see, there are solid premises for a continued, enhanced economic relation between Romania and Korea. In the context of the existing trade imbalance between our countries, we are interested in an even more active presence of the Korean companies in Romania, especially in the automotive industry, energy, and IT. We believe that more direct Korean investments will have a positive impact on increasing competitiveness of our products, with beneficial effects on the internal market and Romanian exports as well. This was one of my main messages to the Korean business people. I also believe there are sizable opportunities of cooperation on third markets, in Asia and the Middle East, through joint participation of Romanian and Korean companies in projects of economic reconstructions in fields as oil exploration and exploitation, energy, irrigation systems, revamping oil refineries etc. We consider that updating our legal framework in the economic field and concluding new specialized agreements and Memoranda of Understanding will open new ways of cooperation in sectors in which both our countries have high expertise, such the IT and machinery building.
Q: What are the prospects of Romania's economy? A: It is not a political public statement that we are interested by Korea. We are really very interested to develop the relations with Korea. Korea is avery dynamic country. We have, in the last six years, impressive growth if you look at the growth of the Romanian economy. We will become an EU member in the 1st of January 2007, and a lot of investments came in Romania. We don't like to be prisoners of investments from a single part of the world economy. We would like to have all parts of economies investing in Romania.
Q: What is the best way to resolve the Iraqi problem? A: In my opinion, the best way for solving the Iraqi problem is to insure the continuity of the international community's presence and action in Iraq. I have in mind a co-ordinated presence at the civilian and military level, with the sole purpose to assist the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country, still suffering after long years of dictatorship. We consider that the successful fulfillment of the last steps stipulated in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) the Referendum for adopting the new Constitution, on 15 October, and the General Elections, due on 15 December - is essential in the process leading to the formation of a government endorsed by popular support, able to assume entirely the responsibilities for solving the security issues and the economic reconstruction of Iraq. I believe that the only way forward in solving the situation in Iraq is through a continuous dialogue between the Iraqi authorities and all Coalition partners with the international community, who should develop policies able to respond promptly and effectively to the developments on the ground.
Q: What is your general impression of Korea? A: I am very pleased with the results of my visit to Korea, which was, indeed, both fruitful and enjoyable. I was impressed with the capital city of Seoul, which reflects in a remarkable manner vitality, discipline, reliability, and entrepreneurial spirit. I have excellent impression about Korea, mainly about the potential with bilateral relations. We have political bilateral relations for 15 years only. In this condition, South Korea became the first commercial partner of Romania in the Far East, because the Korean companies are very interested in the Romanian market. They study our needs very well. They explore very much, but, at the same time, are between the first big companies making the investments. Since 1997, we have had the Daewoo Shipyard. When the contract was signed in 1996, the shipyard was almost bankrupt. Now, it is the second shipyard that receives orders from Europe. For example, the shipyard will deliver ships in value of US$200 million this year. The shipyard is booked for another one billion Euro until 2008. They are fully booked. We have a very good quality. They introduce a very modern management. They train the workers, and the results are on the market.
Q: What is your impression President Roh Moo-hyun? A: I like the President. I presume that he is one of the peoples who would like to change the society in good for the better. It is his fight. This is something which is easily to be filled by everybody. He is very open in mind and discussions. He goes straight to the subject, which I like very much. Regarding the summit discussions, President Roh Moo-hyun and I covered a broad agenda. I look forward to working with the President in order to put into practice the decisions taken on this occasion. We have identified a lot of opportunities that will lead undoubtedly to the development of our cooperation in various fields. I know that, with my partner President Roh, we can enhance our relations in the mutual benefit of our countries. Q: How did you meet the first lady? A: I was a student at that time at the Naval Academy. Before I finished the academy in a year, we married each other. This year, we will celebrate 30 years of marriage. ˇÚ
Romanian President Traian Basescu made a two-day state visit to South Korea at the invitation of President Roh Moo-hyun from October 18 to 19, 2005. During his stay in Seoul, President Basescu had an exclusive interview with Dr. Thok-kyu Limb, chairman of DIPLOMACY, at the Hotel Shilla in Seoul.
