Romanian Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea said Wednesday, after hearings in parliament committees on the country’s participation in the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, that the antimissile shield will protect Romania, has a strictly defensive use and is not directed against Russia.
Oprea said Romania's decision to host missile interceptors onits soil will strengthen the strategic partnership between Romaniaand the United States so that the former will become a key allywithin NATO and the European Union.
The minister said issues regarding the costs and the locationsfor the missiles on Romanian soil will be decided by Romanian andAmerican experts.
Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, also present in thehearings held in the defense and foreign affairs parliamentcommittees, said Romania's involvement in the missile defensesystem entails minimum costs that will target ensuring the securityof the military infrastructure perimeter.
"Our partners will send us the list with the criteria which willenable us to establish where the missile interceptors will belocated," said Baconschi, adding Romania will not buy the missileinterceptors, but will have to ensure the security of the militaryinfrastructure perimeter which entails minimum costs.
The foreign minister said the antimissile shield agreement willbe implemented after it is ratified in Parliament.
Baconschi said Tuesday Romania will not have to buy SM-3 missileinterceptors and it will not pay for the setting up or layout ofthe location for the missiles on Romanian soil.
Also, according to the ministrer, there will not be anyinterception missiles installed on Romanian or foreign ships in theBlack Sea. These interception missiles will be placed exclusivelyon land.
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday the U.S.antimissile defense system, in which the country ha
