Romania in NATO 'good for ties with RI'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Romania's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bodes well for its ties with Indonesia, the Rumanian ambassador to Indonesia said.

Ambassador Georghe Savuica said in a statement received on Monday the political act of joining NATO would have a real impact on the economy of Romania.

"And as a result, this evolution may open new opportunities for enhancing the bilateral relations between Romania and Indonesia," he said.

NATO at its summit in Prague on Thursday formally invited Romania, along with Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia, to join the organization.

According to Savuica, Rumanian President Ion Iliescu, in his speech at the Prague summit, remarked that history was being made.

"You have taken decisions on enlargement, capabilities and partnerships, which will shape the future of the Euro-Atlantic area, including Romania. You have opened a new chapter in Europe's long lasting quest for unity and peace," the president said.

NATO's invitation was in recognition of the economic and political reforms Bucharest has implemented over the years, according to the ambassador.