Romania supports India's efforts for Civil Nuke energy

New Delhi, Oct 23: Romania today supported India's efforts to generate civilian nuclear energy, appreciating India's openness on the issue.

Romania, which is a member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG), the powerful international nuclear lobby whose nod is crucial for the implementation of the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement, also expressed willingness to establish strategic partnership with India in energy and defence sectors.

''We fully understand and support India's openness and the possibility to generate nuclear energy...Romania is a member of the group of countries (NSG) that support the idea of India's generation of nuclear energy,'' visiting Romanian President Traian Basescu said after holding talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a ''wide range'' of bilateral, regional and international issues.

The Romanian President is currently on a three-day visit to India at the invitation of President A P J Abdul Kalam.

In the context of efforts for greater energy security and to develop sustainable and efficient energy sources, both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in this field, consistent with international obligations.

They agreed to promote greater international cooperation in promoting nuclear energy as a safe, environment-friendly and sustanable source of energy through forward-looking approaches in accordance with the IAEA Statute and other international agreements.

A Joint Statement issued after the talks said the two sides declared energy, especially oil and gas sector, and Defence industry as the main strategtic priorities of bilateral relations and decided to inaugurate a new Joint Working Group (JWG) on Energy Cooperation.

UNI