Basescu gave this answer to Moldovan president Nicolae Timofti, who asked whether the Republic of Moldova would become “a buffer,” in the context of the missile defense system in Romania and the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria.
Basescu stated that the defense system’s objective is protecting southeastern Europe against emerging powers “with dreams of developing nuclear weapons” and against the risk that terrorist groups might acquire modern medium-range missiles.
“Both we and the Russian Federation have the same interests with regard to the security of our citizens and I feel that, in Moscow, it is becoming clearer that no one believes the parts of the defense system located in Romania, which will enter operation in 2015, might threaten the security of Russia,” the president said.
He added that disputes between Russia and the European Union can only be in economic, not military, matters and the thought of Moldova as a military buffer is best forgotten.
On the other hand, President Timofti said that “Moldova’s geographic location is the subject of certain geopolitical interests of various states and groups,” adding that he hopes to achieve a withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria.
“I met with [Russian deputy prime minister Dmitri] Rogozin recently. (…) He was of the opinion that this issue should be resolved on the basis of discussions, negotiations and bilateral relations. I think we should use the mechanisms of international bodies,” Timofti said.