Former President Traian Basescu said he was "vexed" by the statement of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who said that the EU needs to restore relations with Russia, Basescu arguing that "this approach has led to the War World by successive relinquishments ", Mediafax reports.
"I'm vexed by Jean-Claude Juncker's statement (...) in which he simply said" we should approach Russia and not let the Americans do their play in Europe. "Yes, but Europe cannot guarantee its security by itself. Or this message means to yield everything to Russia so we can all relax. Well, sorry, but this approach has led to the Second World War by successive relinquishments, "Traian Băsescu said Saturday at the PMP College , held in Sinaia, Mediafax reports.
In this context, the former head of state said that, in his opinion, something "happens in Brussels and Romania is not taking part in those events."
"I believe something is happening in Brussels and Romania is not participating in what is happening, unfortunately. Romania is slightly apart and the failure to bring the big issues in public debate is a big mistake, "said Basescu.
He added that the PMP must assume the bringing of such "sensitive" topics in public debate.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said during a visit to Passau in southern Germany, that the European Union needs to restore its "practical relations" with Russia and not leave the United States “dictate" in this policy, according to BBC News online.
Juncker was criticizing in this way the statement by which President Barack Obama categorized Russia only as a "regional power".
"I know from my conversations with (Russian President Vladimir Putin) that he (does not accept) phrases like those when (US President) Barack Obama said that Russia is a regional power. What does that mean? You cannot talk about Russia like that, "Juncker said Thursday at a press conference in the German city of Passau, quoted by TheLocal.se site.
EC President made these statements in the context in which the EU and United States have imposed sanctions on Russia because of its intervention in Ukraine and Obama met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the UN General Assembly in September.
"We must say it openly, let’s treat Russia decently," Juncker said. "Russia should be treated as an equal," added the EC President, quoted by the website.
"We must work towards a practical relationship with Russia. It is not sexy, but we must do it, we cannot continue like this," the head of the Commission said in this visit to southern Germany, quoted by BBC.
The West has imposed restrictions on issuing visas and blocking the assets of dozens of high-ranking Russian officials..
The sanctions have also restricted Russia’s access to western bank loans, to industrial technology in the sectors of energy and defense. In response, Moscow has imposed embargoes on most imports of Western food and drink.