Tightening of Israel-Rumania Commercial Ties are in the Offing, JTA, Jan. 7, 1982.

Premier Menachem Begin met today with Vassily Pugnan, an emissary of President Nicolae Ceausescu of Rumania, in what was later described as a “very fruitful” discussion. A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting would result in tightening commercial ties between Israel and Rumania.

But political observers here expressed disbelief that Begin and his Rumanian visitor spent almost two hours talking about commercial matters. David Kimche, Director General of the Foreign Ministry, was the only other official present at the meeting. Pugnan said before it began that he had brought Begin an oral message from Ceausescu.

Begin’s spokesman said the Premier had accepted “in principle” an invitation to visit Rumania when his health and official duties permitted. Begin visited Rumania shortly after his election in 1977.