Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. MAE: Russian Foreign Ministry's statements - inappropriate and...

MAE: Russian Foreign Ministry's statements - inappropriate and completely baseless

February 22, 2022

Romania's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) rejects the statements of the Russian Federation's Foreign Ministry regarding the allied military presence on NATO's eastern flank as "inappropriate and baseless".In a statement on Friday, the Foreign Ministry reiterates that NATO's presence in allied states, which is the result of top-level decisions made by allied leaders and implemented by the competent allied political and military structures, is a strictly defensive response to the increasingly aggressive behavior of the Russian Federation in the Eastern Neighborhood, especially since 2014, when the Ukrainian territory of Crimea was illegally occupied by Russia."The escalation of this behavior continues today, despite NATO's attempts to engage in constructive dialogue," the Foreign Ministry says, pointing out that the demand for the deployment of NATO forces in all Alliance states that joined after 1997, including troops, to be reduced according to Moscow's requirements is already listed among Russia's European security proposals released in December 2021."This request has already been unequivocally rejected as unacceptable by the North Atlantic Alliance, both publicly and as part of the NATO-Russia and US-Russia dialogue. Such a request is inadmissible and cannot be subject to negotiation, given that the deterrence and defense posture is directly connected with, and is an intrinsic part of NATO's collective defense mechanism no third country can veto upon. The allies have firmly stated that they will further strengthen their security and collective defense policy, including through the presence of allied troops in the territory of the Eastern allies," the cited source said.It goes on to note that together with its allies, Romania will continue to strongly support with arguments based on security developments in the Eastern Neighborhood, the importance of strengthening the Eastern flank, which is why the Romanian authorities welcomed the recent announcements by the US and France about plans to place troops in Romania as part of the allied deterrence and defense posture."At the same time, Romania expresses its hope that the dialogue opened with the Russian Federation during this period will continue and will lead to the de-escalation of the security situation, to the benefit of the entire Euro-Atlantic area," the Foreign Ministry concludes.The security guarantees Russia demands from the West include the removal of NATO forces from Romania and Bulgaria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday as cited by Reuters.Moscow has demanded legally binding guarantees from NATO that the military bloc will stop its expansion and return to its 1997 borders.  

Read in full - click here
Romanian president nominates former interim president Ilie Bolojan as PM

President Nicușor Dan has nominated Senate president Ilie Bolojan, a leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and former interim president, for the prime minister seat. Dan said Bolojan is “the best person to carry out the needed adjustments in the state administration.” He pointed to Bolojan’s track record with reducing spending, and said he has […]

Balkanik Festival: Bucharest event announces lineup of this year's edition

Balkanik Festival – Home of World Music, set to take place at Uranus Garden between September 5 and September 7, lines up this year artists who "celebrate that form of joy that does not ignore reality, but faces it with beauty, energy, and solidarity," the organizers said. The artists performing in September in Bucharest will […]

Romania’s Timișoara announces plans for two new bridges over Bega River

The mayor of Timișoara, Dominic Fritz, announced on Friday, June 20, that two new bridges over the Bega River will be built in the city. The bridges will be financed with EU-backed funds worth over RON 130 million. The bridges in question are the Solventul Bridge, which will connect Gării Street to Dâmbovița Boulevard and […]

Western Romania: 2,000-year-old Sarmatian necropolis discovered in Timișoara

A Sarmatian necropolis nearly 2,000 years old was discovered after archaeological excavations were carried out at the Mehala II site in the municipality of Timișoara, in western Romania. Researchers discovered 15 inhumation graves, most arranged in rectangular pits with rounded corners, although some no longer retain their original outline, having been disturbed by the passage […]

George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra concert marks Romania Day at Osaka World Expo

The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver on June 26 a concert marking Romania Day at the Osaka World Expo. Additionally, the Bucharest-based orchestra will present a series of other concerts and recitals, both within the Romanian Pavilion and outside, at Toyonara Hall in Osaka. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts will be conducted by […]

Romania’s Sphera Franchise opens chocolate & ice cream café in Italy

Sphera Franchise Group, the largest food service group in Romania, has opened its first Cioccolatitaliani store in the seaside resort of Riccione, in Italy’s Rimini tourist area.  This marks the official launch of Sphera Group’s development plan for the premium Italian brand of coffee, gelato, and pastry. Under the plan, it will open four locations […]