This week, Romanian foreign minister Teodor Baconschi was on a tour of North-African states, which took him to Egypt and Tunisia. His intention was to convey a political message of solidarity to the new authorities of these states currently undergoing a process of transition towards democracy.

Tunisia, whose uprising, early this year, came to be known as the Jasmine Revolution, eventually succeeded in ousting president Ben Ali, after a 23-year rule. The protesters’ success has served as inspiration for other Arab peoples who wanted the democratization of their society and the removal of hardliners from governments. A month later, president Hosni Mubarak had to step down after almost three decades in power, while social unrest eventually spilled into neighboring Libya, and later into the Middle East states of Syria, Yemen, and Bahrein.

The message conveyed by minister Baconschi was that Egypt and Tunisia should not repeat the mistakes Romania made after the 1989 revolution conducive to the demise of the communist regime. In Tunis, Baconschi pledged that Bucharest would send experts to the area to provide assistance in the political transition towards a democratic system. Romanian foreign minister Teodor Baconschi:

“We have assessed ways to grant assistance in building democratic institutions. We have also discussed the relations Arab countries have with the EU and Romania is facilitating this dialogue. We have also made an inventory of the mistakes Romania made after the fall of communism and told them they should not repeat those mistakes.”

In turn, Tunisian foreign minister Mouldi Kefi said that his country needs Romanian support.

“Because of its 20 year expertise, Romania can be of real help for Tunisia. And we have agreed to receive here Romanian experts in constitutional law and in transition towards democracy.”


After several adjustments, snap parliamentary elections have been scheduled for October 23rd, though it was not very clear yet whether a new Constitution could be ready by that time or will become the responsibility of the new legislature. Earlier in Cairo, Baconschi offered Romania’s assistance in the field of institutional reforms to Egyptian authorities also readying for elections in September, this year.

In another move, Baconschi said Romania is aware of its strategic role of mediator and key player for Egypt in the region. The Romanian official stood for boosting bilateral economic relations adding that Romanian companies are interested in participating in the country’s further development, with investments in its infrastructure, agriculture, railways, IT and natural gas exploitation. Baconschi announced that Egyptian business people could get visas for Romania within 48 hours, after a new consular section was set up in Cairo.