NATO and Romania’s Security
Russia warns that Romania should be aware of the responsibility and consequences of allowing more NATO troops.
România Internațional, 03.04.2015, 13:40
After joining NATO in 2004, Romania undertook to support the Alliance’s joint defense efforts, especially in the new regional context. Romania’s decision to host on its territory, at the Deveselu base, some elements of the American anti-missile shield in Europe, developed under NATO’s umbrella, has more than once triggered Russia’s criticism, in spite of NATO officials and Romanian authorities having repeatedly assured Moscow that the purpose of the shield is purely defensive.
On Thursday, Russia responded to the announcement made on Monday in Bucharest by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, regarding the Alliance’s intention to deploy heavy weaponry on Romanian soil and increase the NATO and US military presence in Romania. The spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexandr Lukashevici, warned, in a statement for the public radio station, that Romania must be aware of the responsibility and consequences of increasing the NATO presence on its territory. Strengthening the NATO presence in Eastern Europe is an unprecedented decision, which breaches all agreements in force, Lukashevici has said.
According to the Russian official, NATO and Russia have agreed not to mobilize additional military capabilities, insisting on the principle of mutual dissuasion. Lukashevici has pointed out that if the information is correct, Russia has the right to include this important element in its military planning.
Shortly before Moscow’s warning, Bucharest approved on Thursday a bill revising the Law on the access, stationing and deployment of foreign military forces in Romania and their transiting Romanian territory. The bill, which is still to be green lighted by the country’s Supreme Defense Council, legislates solutions that would allow NATO to implement, on Romanian territory, reassurance and adaptation measures addressing new challenges, risks and threats to the international security environment, as stipulated by the Alliance’s recently adopted plan to increase NATO’s operational capability.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta has said that the Government is aware that it is taking the best decisions for Romania and its partners. Ponta has also said that the bill approved by the Government regards mainly the access and stationing of troops and weapons for the two NATO command centers to be set up in Bucharest. Romania’s contribution to the Alliance’s defence and Europe’s security has been praised, on several occasions, by both NATO and US officials.
