September 17, 1997

Regarding Hungarian-Rumanian affiliation, President Emil Constantinescu stated that "The upcoming elections in Hungary could cause tensions between ethnic Hungarians and Rumanians, if Hungarian politicians make irresponsible statements." Voicing that these tensions will not influence the existing close ties between the two countries the President believes that rapid and drastic reforms always generate ethnic tensions. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Sept. 18, 1997]