Within the framework of the Commission of Historians of the USSR and Romania, on September 6-12, 1976, a regular scientific conference was held in Moscow and Samarkand on the topic "The national Liberation movement in the Balkans in the second half of the XIX century. Russian-Romanian relations and the War of 1877-1878".

On the Soviet side, the conference was attended by members of the Soviet part of the commission, as well as specialists in Romanian history and Balkan studies. The conference was attended by a delegation of Romanian scientists led by a corresponding member of the Central Committee of the RCP. Academy of the Socialist Republic of Romania (SRR), Chairman of the Romanian part of the Commission S, Stefanescu.

The conference was opened by the chairman of the Soviet part of the Commission, Academician I. I. Mints, who stressed the importance of the next meeting of historians of the two countries for expanding scientific cooperation, for further strengthening friendly relations between the Soviet and Romanian peoples and presented the Romanian delegation with the works of Soviet historians published recently on the conference's issues. From the Romanian side, the conference participants were welcomed by a corresponding member. Academies of SRR Sh. Stefanescu.

Soviet historians made the following presentations at the conference:: "The Balkan crisis of 1875-1878 and the Great Powers" ¹ (Academician A. L. Narochnitsky); " The Great Powers and Romania's Struggle for Independence (1871-1876)" (E. E. Chertan); "Foreign policy prerequisites and conditions for the declaration of independence of Romania "(M. M. Zalyshkin); "The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and its significance for the liberation of the Balkan peoples" (I. I. Rostunov); "Revolutionary Russia and Liberation movements in the Balkans on the eve and during the Eastern crisis of the 70s of the XIX century" (V. Ya. Grosul); "The combination of social and national tasks in the Romanian liberation movement" (E. I. Spivakovsky).

The Romanian side presented reports: "The place and role of the war of 1877-1878 in the age-old struggle of Romanians to achieve and defend the country's independence" (corresponding member. Academies of SRR Sh. Stefanescu); "Some thoughts on the economic and social situation of Romania in the second half of the 19th century. The impact of achieving independence on the further development of the country "(V. Aksenchuk); " K Marx and F. Engels on the Balkan question in the second half of the nineteenth century and about the struggle of Romanians for the achievement of state independence ." Ionescu); "The war for independence is a memorable page in the history of the Romanian people. Russian-Romanian military cooperation during the War of Independence "(N. Adeniloae); "Strengthening the country's national independence as a constant feature of Romania's development in the last century" (A. Petrik); "The masses of the people are a determining factor in the struggle to achieve the state independence of Romania" (T. Giorgescu); "Active position of the workers' and Socialist movement of Romania in support of the struggle for independence " (and. I kosh); "Romania celebrates the centenary of independence" (Ionita).

The reports as a whole summed up a certain result in the study of the topic discussed both in our country and in Romania. The discussion at the conference of the problems of the national liberation movement of the second half of the XIX century and Russian-Romanian relations of the same period revealed a great interest of historians of both countries in the important events of the Eastern crisis, which was eliminated by the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878, which opened the way for the independent existence of Romania,

¹ See Voprosy Istorii, 1976, No. 11.

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Montenegro and the re-establishment of the Bulgarian State. The conference participants emphasized the role of Russia in the liberation of Romania from Ottoman rule, the importance of Russian-Romanian military cooperation during the war of 1877-1878. The true role of the Western powers in the events in the Balkans, primarily England, Germany and Austria-Hungary, whose policies have repeatedly come into conflict with the national interests of Romania, was revealed.

Summing up the results of the conference, the chairman of the Soviet part of the commission, Academician I. I. Mints, and the chairman of the Romanian part, corresponding members. Academy of the SSR Sh. Stefanescu noted the fruitful exchange of views between Soviet and Romanian historians on the problems of the Russo - Turkish war of 1877-1878 and Russian - Romanian relations of that time, and stressed the importance of choosing topics for future discussions that reveal cooperation and friendship between the two peoples.

At the final meeting, the protocol on the work of the commission for 1977 was signed. The parties agreed to hold the next scientific meeting in the fall of 1977 in Bucharest. Two issues were included in the protocol as topics for discussion:" The historical experience of October and the construction of the foundations of socialism in Romania "and"The progressive thought of Romania and Russia in the 19th century - an important factor in the process of familiarization and rapprochement between the two peoples".

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