Mr Iliescu is in Malta on his first state visit and the first of a Romanian president since the revolution in 1989. Following talks with President Edward Fenech Adami, Mr Iliescu told Maltese and Romanian journalists that his country was making fast improvements in the negotiations with the European Union, describing this process as having reached “its final stages”.

Mr Iliescu also drew a parallel between Malta and Romania in their quests to become European Union member states. “Just like Malta, Romania has its strategy for national development which is directly related to EU membership,” he said.

Mr Iliescu referred to the relations between the two countries as well. describing them as “very good”. He said Romania and Malta have had, and will continue to have, “permanent political dialogue” and the “active relationship” is expected to grow.

On economic relations between both countries, the Romanian president said they were getting better, adding that this was beneficial to both Romania and Malta.

In his speech, Dr Fenech Adami thanked Mr Iliescu for accepting the invitation to make a state visit to Malta. During the brief talks at the Palace, both presidents spoke about the different world situations and how Malta and Romania regard these happenings. They spoke about the war in Iraq and the situation in Palestine.

“We spoke about the Mediterranean region where Malta has strong interests. The relations between Malta and Romania have been built on several years of cooperation, helping each other where we can. We are very happy about the progress of Romania in its endeavour to join the EU and hope that the negotiations will soon come to an end,” he said.

On the bilateral relations between both countries, Dr Fenech Adami also described them as “very good” and expressed his hope that both countries will continue to cooperate in the years to come.

Mr Iliescu arrived in Malta yesterday morning. He was welcomed by Dr Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano, ministers and parliamentary secretaries, among others. Before calling on Dr Fenech Adami, Mr Iliescu laid flowers at the foot of the war memorial in Floriana.

In the afternoon, Mr Iliescu met acting Opposition leader Charles Mangion, accompanied by George Vella and Labour Party international secretary Joe Mifsud. This meeting was only open to photographers and

cameramen.

Later on, Mr Iliescu and his delegation attended a state dinner at the Palace, following a state concert by the National Orchestra. In his speech prior to the dinner President Fenech Adami said Malta and Romania had a lot in common, especially in their cultural and spiritual heritage. “These common qualities create a natural bond that is strengthened by shared aspirations including that of a united Europe that cherishes the diversity of each community, generates prosperity for its peoples and contributes to regional and global stability,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami continued that hope and solidarity were never so evident as in the dramatic days in Romania after 22 December 1989. “The people of Malta who, just weeks earlier, had hosted the Bush-Gorbachev Summit, were with the people of Romania in those decisive days,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami said: “The solidarity of the Maltese people remains alive today, particularly in witnessing Romania’s progress towards European Union membership. We understand the problems that may be encountered along this difficult path, having just traversed it ourselves and are ready to share our experiences with you.”

He also spoke about terrorism and how this has sown death among thousands and horrified the world community with

their inhumanity.”

In his speech, Mr Iliescu said his visit to Malta came during a very important year for the country after it joined the European Union on 1 May. He said he appreciated Dr Fenech Adami’s personal contribution to Malta’s European development. “The European Union accession was a historic decision for Malta and will leave a positive mark on the future of this country,” he said.

He also spoke about his country’s dream to join the EU: “Romania is part and parcel of the European family, shares the European values and her future is interwoven with that of the EU. After half a century of totalitarianism, the Romanian people opted, without reservation, for the country’s integration into the European Union. Romania is fully committed to meeting the criteria that make it possible for her to join the European Union on 1 January 2007.

“Romania places an ever-stronger emphasis on her relations with Malta. I am proud to be the first Romanian president to visit this beautiful country after the 1989 Romanian Revolution,” he said.

He continued that there is a potential which has not been explored enough in our bilateral relations: in the economic field, in the cultural field and in the field of tourism since Malta is one of the favourite destinations of the European tourists and, lately, of more Romanian tourists.

Mr Iliescu will meet Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning, followed by a tree planting ceremony at San Anton Palace. Later, he will pay official visits to the reverse osmosis plant in Pembroke, Malta Freeport,

St John’s Co-Cathedral and the National Museum of Archaeology. Mr Iliescu will also address businessmen at the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise in the afternoon, followed by a reception in his honour before he leaves Malta at around 6pm this evening.