President: Romania Never Received Security Guarantees, Must Ensure It In Partnership With Allies

This year's session of the NATO PA is hosted by the Romanian Parliament.

The head of state pointed out that Romania has never asked for and never received any missile defense guarantee from anybody and must ensure its security in partnership with its allies.

Basescu highlighted Romania, which is located at NATO's eastern border, is concerned about the new threats posed by developments in missile technology.

"The proliferation of missile technology increases the risk of missile attacks. Southeastern Europe is also exposed to such threats," said Basescu.

He added that the antimissile shield elements to be set up in Romania will play a significant role in developing NATO's defensive capacity.

Romania's highest defense body approved this spring the setting up of U.S. antimissile shield elements at a former airbase at Deveselu, in the southern Romanian Olt county.

Negotiations between Romania and the U.S. on developing the antimissile shield lasted one year and an agreement was signed on September 13 in Washington by Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Baconschi and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The agreement has yet to be ratified by the Romanian Parliament.

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