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Romanian Parliament Ratifies U.S.-Romanian Antimissile Shield Agreement
The Romanian senators, in a unanimous vote on Tuesday, approved a draft law on the ratification of the Agreement between Romania and the United States on placing the U.S. missile defence system in Romania signed on this Sept. 12 in Washington. Ninety senators cast their vote for the bill.
In the beginning of the upper Senate house plenary debates, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi stressed the Agreement is ‘the first legal instrument fully negotiated and closed by the U.S. as part of the new concept of the ballistic missile defence'.
'The value of the Agreement also consists in that it is for the first time the Romanian-U.S. strategic partnership is written in a legally binding bilateral document. Placing U.S. anti-missile system elements represents a very important contribution to the security of Romania, of the United States and of the entire Alliance. The Agreement text contains clear reference to the strategic partnership with the U.S., clear guarantees regarding the shield conformity to the international standards', Baconschi said.
The minister underscored that the United States, in the Agreement Article No. 3, firmly pledges to defend Romania against a missile attack or against a threat.
'The Agreement provisions also stipulate that Romania's jurisdiction and sovereignty are not affected and they also stipulate the U.S. forces' obligation to observe the Romanian laws. .... The legal responsibility regarding the shield rules out Romania's responsibility for possible damages inflicted outside its territory', he pointed out.
All the costs rest with the U.S., Baconschi added. The Senate is the decision-making house on this matter. The draft law on the ratification of the Agreement between Romania and the United States on placing the U.S. ballistic missile defence system in Romania was adopted by the Deputies' Chamber in a 261 to 4 vote and an abstention on Nov. 15.