missile shield

Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry again criticized the United States’ AEGIS missile defense system, which is partially deployed in Romania, accusing that it has offensive capabilities and that it violates the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Romania wants to conclude negotiations with the USA on the missile defense system in 2011 and the U.S. remains a strategic partner and Romania's main security ally, President Traian Basescu said Thursday during a meeting with ambassadors of EU countries.

Romania is not prepared to accept postponement of the date of accession in the Schengen area, President Traian Basescu told the Financial Times in an interview, which also touched on Romania’s role in the EU, its relations with Russia and the Republic of Moldova and the anti-missile shield.

Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) director George Maior said Wednesday that, in connection with the placement of US missile shield elements on Romanian soil, the SRI is making preparations to face offensive espionage actions.

Some 20 anti-NATO protesters left Friday, around 18.15 local time, towards the Embassy of the Czech Republic, where they will display a banner written with a message criticizing the Czech Republic’s decision to accept elements of the U.S. missile shield on its territory.

Romanian president Traian Basescu said Thursday that NATO decided to undertake the creation of an anti-missile shield for states that are not protected by the American shield, to ensure the same level of security for all allied states.

Romania supports the extension of the American missile shield project, but without “hostility” from Russia, which needs to understand that it could team up with the EU and NATO in the set up of such global protection measures, said Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.