Romanian President Ion Iliescu and the country's former King met for the first time Saturday at the presidential palace in Bucharest after a decade of bitter relations.

Iliescu, who recently said he regretted his "hounding" of the former King and that "the moment had come to be rid of prejudices," shook hands with Michel and his wife Anna de Bourbon-Parme on the steps of the Controceni palace.

Michel I, 79, began a tour of Romania Friday at the behest of Iliescu and the two were due to dine together along with other government officials.

While meeting several hundred students and teachers earlier in the day, Michel called on the youths to "embrace their studies and love their country, so that it can progress."

The royal couple are staying in the Elisabeta Palace, built by his family in 1936, which will become his official residence. According to sources close to Michel, he may take up permanent residency in Romania shortly.

The former King, who still lives in Switzerland, was prevented on several occasions from entering his native country between 1990 and 1996 by Iliescu.

Michel was forced to abdicate and sent into exile in 1947 by the communist regime, but was granted Romanian citizenship in 1997.

Copyright © 2000 AFP

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