Targets Transdniester, Gagauzia: Nuland Mulls More NATO Troops In Romania

Romania Insider
April 11, 2014

Romanian officials call for more NATO troops in Romania

Bogdan Aurescu, state secretary in the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), has talked with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland about the necessity to increase US and NATO presence in Romania and other allied states in Eastern Europe, according to an official statement of MAE. Aurescu also expressed his hope that the US will soon name a new ambassador in Romania.

Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean also called for more NATO troops in Romania and Eastern Europe, in an interview for AFP.

Duane Butcher, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Bucharest, said on Thursday (April 10) that US and NATO will protect Romania. On the same day, NATO published photos that show that about 35,000 to 40,000 Russian soldiers are stationed along the Ukrainian border, according to AFP. Moscow officials however said the pictures date back from August 2013.

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Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
April 10, 2014

Romania Wants NATO Redeployment Over Ukraine Crisis

Romania is urging NATO to redeploy its forces in Eastern Europe and take a firm position to prevent a contagion of the Ukraine crisis.

Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean said on April 10 that Bucharest “has concrete expectations of a redeployment and an eastward repositioning of NATO’s naval, air and ground forces.”

Corlatean said Romania was “on the frontline,” adding, “The Black Sea region must be a top priority for NATO and the EU.”

Romania, a member of both the European Union and NATO, has a common border with Ukraine.

The US chargé d’affaire in Romania, Duane Butcher, told Romanian media that Washington is currently considering “a wide range of measures” to consolidate trust among its allies.

“We will defend Romania”, Butcher said.

Meanwhile, some 450 U.S. and Romanian troops and began joint military exercises in northwestern Romania on April 10, flying U.S. F-16 fighter jets alongside Romanian ones.

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Russian Information Agency Novosti
April 3, 2014

Moldovan Region Gagauzia Asks Russia to Open Consulate

CHISINAU: Authorities in Moldova’s autonomous region of Gagauzia are asking Russia to open a consulate office in its capital Comrat, head of the autonomous region Mikhail Formuzal said in a letter to Russian authorities.

“In accordance with the agreements reached at the meeting of the State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) and the government of Russia during the visit of a delegation of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia to Moscow, we ask you to consider a possibility of establishing a Consulate of the Russian Federation in Comrat, the capital of Gagauzia”, Formuzal said.

According to Formuzal, the move would give a new impetus to bilateral relationships in such areas like trade and education and also would be helpful for citizens not only of Gagauzia, but other southern regions of Moldova.

Earlier Moldovan region asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to simplify citizenship procedures for migrant workers.  Formuzal underlined that Gagauz people can easily integrate into Russian society, because they know the Russian language and Russian culture.

On Wednesday US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that Washington remains concerned about political situation in Moldova.

“We are providing an addition $10 million in assistance to Moldova…So obviously, we are working very closely with the Moldovan Government on a range of issues and are concerned, of course, about Russian escalatory moves anywhere in the region”, Harf said.

Gagauzia has a population of about 150,000, mostly ethnically Gagauz, Turkish-speaking Orthodox Christians. Gagauzia has three official languages: Romanian, Gagauz, and Russian. In February a referendum was held in Gagauzia in which an overwhelming majority called for Moldova to join a Russian-led Customs union rather than a political and trade pact with the EU. It also opted for the independence of Gagauzia if Moldova chooses to enter EU.