ForMin Melescanu says document analyzing relocation of embassy in Israel is at state secretaries for signatures

Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Melescanu said on Tuesday that the document analyzing the possibility and opportuneness of moving the Romanian Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is sent to state secretaries to be signed and then presented to the Presidency, the heads of Parliament's Chambers and the prime minister. 

"Following a Government's approval, I have initiated an analysis into the issue of relocating the Embassy of Romania from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a document prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of a large number of ministries and specialized services. 

We put on two columns the advantages and the disadvantages, what are the legal issues raised by such an initiative, given that there is the Security Council resolution 478, which states directly that all countries must have embassies in Tel Aviv in their diplomatic relations with Israel," the minister said. 

He said that at this stage, only one signature of a state secretary is still needed. 

"This document was drafted together with all the ministries on security and defense matters, as well as on economic and trade matters, and so on, and currently one more signature is needed - a state secretary from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after which we will present this document to the Presidency, the speakers of the two Chambers and the prime minister, so that we have a basis to discuss this issue seriously," he said. 

"It can already be sent now to have all the elements available so that he can make an informed decision. The most important thing from the point of view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to have a common position from all political decision-makers," Melescanu added. 

Asked whether there are more advantages or disadvantages in moving the embassy, according to the said document, Melescanu replied: "They cannot be quantified. There are advantages and disadvantages in such an activity. From our point of view, a very important role is represented by the legal area." 

At the same time, the head of the Romanian diplomacy was asked how the country's candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council would be affected by the fact that Romania is considering the possibility of moving the embassy. 

"In connection with the Security Council, we have written arrangements to support the candidacy. I believe that a word given must be kept. We will see to what extent it has an impact or not on the topic of moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the coming period. We hope very quickly to reach a common conclusion which, if you wish, will clarify things from this point of view," the foreign minister said. 

He stressed Romania's involvement in solving the conflict in the Middle East. 

"From our point of view, there is no country that is more concerned about finding a political solution to the crisis in the Middle East," he said. 

In this respect, Melescanu reminded that "10 per cent of the population of Israel comes from Romanian emigrants and their descendants". 

"We have a very strong link of interest," he said. He also recalled the Romanian support for the Palestinian community. 

"During the pre-democratic period, during the communist period, Romania was one of the most generous countries in providing support to the Palestinians, including through scholarships and specialization courses," Melescanu added.