Russia's Foreign Minister Sees No Obstacles To Closer Links With Romania

It is pointless to tie in Russo-Romanian political contacts with progress on a bilateral treaty draft--the two are to proceed on parallel arrangements, Igor Ivanov, Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said to newsmen following negotiations with Mircea Geoana, his Romanian counterpart. They met in Romania's capital during an OSCE foreign-ministerial council session. On the whole, there are no problems between the two countries which appear to defy solution. Ticklish issues merely demand apt wordings in the basic treaty for the two parliaments to ratify it, said Mr. Ivanov. Moscow does not see any obstacles to closer bilateral partnership, he added. As the minister pointed out with satisfaction, current Romanian leaders are stressing their political goodwill to upgrade that partnership. Mr. Ivanov hopes his conferences with Romania's President and Prime Minister, due tomorrow, will promote understandings for closer economic and other bilateral ties. He thinks it possible for the Romanian Prime Minister to visit Russia early next year.