Lieberman: We have reached the last opportunity to decide on strong sanctions against Iran so that they will be effective.     Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, who is currently visiting Romania, met on Wednesday (14 April) with Romanian President Traian Băsescu, Prime Minister Emil Boc, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism Elena Udrea.

At his meeting with President Băsescu, the two leaders discussed developments in the Middle East. FM Lieberman said that we have reached the last opportunity to decide on strong sanctions against Iran so that they will be effective and the Iranian regime will not pose a threat to stability in the Middle East and the entire world. The Foreign Minister noted that significant sanctions imposed by the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and Canada would be effective, but he is not optimistic that this will take place in the near future. Once Iran achieves nuclear weapons, it will be a totally different game. In any case, FM Lieberman said, Israel is a strong state and will know how to defend itself.

With regard to Syria, FM Lieberman told President Băsescu that the only thing that interests Assad is to maintain Alawi rule in Syria. Syria views any demand by the West for progress and openness as a threat, while they continue to maintain their close ties with Iran and tranfer weapons to Hizbullah.

In his meetings with the Romanian leaders, FM Lieberman noted that Israel and Romania maintain excellent relations and share many common interests. He added that Israel appreciates Romania's friendship over the course of the years. He also discussed with them the strengthening of bilateral economic ties in various fields, and the encouragement of reciprocal tourism between the two countries.