Correspondence Bucharest/ Claus Iohannis: "It is extremely important that the Republic of Moldova remains firmly committed to the pro-European and democratic path"
"More defence force is needed on the eastern flank", the Romanian president asks, after the meeting held in Bucharest with the secretary general of NATO. The two discussed the day before the start of the first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the NATO member states hosted by Romania.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis spoke about the need for more allied troops, but also about prepositioned military equipment. Klaus Iohannis also spoke about the importance of increased support for the Alliance, both for Ukraine and for the most vulnerable NATO partners in the region – the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Furthermore, concrete plans are needed. In the event of an attack, let it be known exactly who, what troops and where they are sending. We cannot leave these decisions to the last minute and then be taken by surprise", insisted the Romanian president.
At the same time, Romania has assumed, through President Iohannis, that it will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, on several levels.
"We are in the biggest security crisis in a generation. NATO is here and we will do whatever it takes to defend all allies. We can't let Putin win, he would show other leaders that goals can be achieved by force", NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said in Bucharest.
The two then answered the journalists' questions, and one of them concerned the Republic of Moldova and its European path.
"The Republic of Moldova has a president and a pro-European and pro-reform parliamentary majority. We are well aware that for the simple people out there things are complicated. We are discussing with all allies to find ways to help the Republic of Moldova", answered President Iohannis.
"Personally, I don't see any signs of changes in the Republic of Moldova. People have understood very well that it is a complicated period, but that does not mean that the reforms stop. It is extremely important for the Republic of Moldova to remain firmly committed to the pro-European and democratic path, but it is clear that ordinary citizens also need additional support, which we are willing to provide", said Iohannis.
The meeting of the foreign ministers of the North Atlantic Alliance takes place in Bucharest on Tuesday, November 29 and Wednesday, November 30 and will focus on two big themes: more aid for Ukraine and the review of the strategy vis-à-vis China. It is the most important NATO meeting since the Madrid summit, and the Republic of Moldova will participate, for the first time, formally, in such an event.
Alex Olaru reported from Bucharest for Radio Moldova.
