Romanian President Says Moldova 'No Buffer Zone'

May 03, 2012

Romania's head of state says neighboring Moldova should no longer be regarded as a buffer zone between NATO and Russia.

President Traian Basescu, speaking on May 3 in a joint interview in Bucharest with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti, said Moldova could instead become what he described as a "frontier" state of the European Union, of which Romania is a member.

Basescu also said Romania's decision to allow the installation of elements for NATO's planned missile-defense shield on its territory was not directed against Russia, but against potential threats from rogue states and terrorists.

Russia regards the shield as a potential security threat.

Timofti's visit to Bucharest was the first since he became president in March.

Much of Moldova was part of Romania before World War II, and the countries share a common history and language.

Based on reporting by TVR Info

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/romania_president_says_moldova_no_buffer_zone/24569105.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.