The law that would allow the military to intervene in other countries to protect Romanian citizens in danger sparks discussions in Chisinau

The authorities in Bucharest have put up for public debate a draft law which, if voted, will allow Romania to intervene outside the country, including militarily, to “protect Romanian citizens in danger”. The project, which provides that interventions of this kind can be initiated upon the recommendation of the President of Romania, with the approval of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT), sparked discussions in Chisinau, causing a first reaction of the government led by Dorin Recean.

The spokesperson of the Government, Daniel Vodă, was asked, on Wednesday, how likely it is that the project subject to public debate will give Romania the opportunity to intervene in the Republic of Moldova, including militarily, in case the country is attacked, in the conditions in which a large part of the population also holds Romanian citizenship.

“We are closely following the developments in the regional space, caused by the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It is very clear that on the European continent there is a general trend of strengthening the defense sector in Europe and the neighboring country, Romania, which is a devoted friend of the Republic of Moldova, is not an exception in this case. The Chisinau authorities, the Government, will follow this initiative, which we understand is in the project phase. We will follow all the developments of this project. (…) It is obvious that the general trend is to strengthen the defense and security sector, which is caused by the regional situation. We will follow this initiative and, at the same time, we will strengthen our efforts at home, to strengthen state institutions, so as to offer citizens resilient institutions”, said Daniel Vodă quoted by NewsMaker.

Asked if a possible arrival of the Romanian military in Moldova would not contravene the neutrality status of the country, Prime Minister Recean’s adviser avoided a direct answer, but reiterated that Moldova is a neutral country, and the modification of this status, enshrined in the country’s Constitution, can be decided only by the citizens, by referendum.

“The Republic of Moldova is a neutral state. This neutrality is also supported by the citizens of the country and any modification of this subject is in the hands of the citizens. We want peace, tranquility and the modernization of the country in the advancement of the European path – this is what the government wants. (…) All kinds of absolutely theoretical messages and which are not based on factual substratum, I propose not to discuss them at this stage and to place them in the line of assumptions that will not materialize”, said Daniel Vodă, according to News. ro.

The status of neutrality, enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, forbids the presence of foreign troops on the territory of the country, a fact violated, however, by Russia, a country whose military continues to station illegally in the Transnistrian region.

Editor: Liviu Cojan

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