The amendment of the legislation so that Romania can send troops abroad to protect its citizens is a welcome decision of the authorities in Bucharest and represents a responsibility of the Romanian state towards its citizens abroad, political pundit Mihai Isac stated in a public debate titled “How Russia and Romania defend their citizens abroad”. According to him, the proposed legislative amendments are still being debated and, if this law is adopted, the Romanian citizens in the Republic of Moldova could also benefit from military support from Romania, if necessary, under the law and international treaties to which Romania is a party.
A draft law to amend Romania’s National Defense Law allows Bucharest to send troops abroad to protect the Romanian citizens. According to Mihai Isac, the document that is being discussed at public debates in Romania comes to respond to the new geopolitical realities.
“It is a matter related to the responsibility of the Romanian state towards its own citizens. Romania will never act without the consent of a particular state. Romania 20 years ago was traumatized by the kidnapping of Romanian journalists in Iraq. It happened in 2005-2006. That incident showed the vulnerability of Romanian citizens who are in different conflict zones. Romania now has a large number of citizens abroad, primarily in the Republic of Moldova and in the regions of the former Kingdom, which are now part of Ukraine. Romania constantly defends the Romanian citizens in the Republic of Moldova. The fact that today, in the Republic of Moldova, one can speak freely, without fear of the Russian army’s boot, is also due to the support that Romania gives to the Republic of Moldova every day. The Republic of Moldova’s road to the civilized world passes through Romania. The energy interconnection implemented during this period is another proof of Romania’s support,” stated Mihai Isac.
The expert also said that many of Romania’s citizens live in conflict zones and the Romanian authorities are obliged to ensure their security.
“We see that Romanian citizens leave the country for economic reasons, mostly to the European Union. But because Romania has a well-trained population, we have Romanian citizens working in many areas that may be engulfed in conflict. We have Romanian citizens working in the Gulf states, where we see that terrorist incidents can happen. We have Romanian citizens working in different areas of Africa. This new reality made the authorities in Bucharest to adopt this type of legislation, which is a responsibility of the Romanian state towards its own citizens,” explained Mihai Isac.
The expert noted that as a NATO member state, Romania cannot attack the Republic of Moldova, but can support it in the event of a Russian military aggression. The entire political class in Bucharest agrees with the need to offer unconditional support to Moldova.
“We see the complicated environment in the Republic of Moldova and it’s good that this issue is raised at the level of civil society, as to how Romania would act when the Republic of Moldova faced a military danger, the coming of Russian tanks closer to the Nistru. It’s a scenario that we need to look at in order to respond to the concern that exists in society. Romania will act together with other partners. If we look at all the statements of the authorities in Bucharest, maintaining the stability and European course of the Republic of Moldova is considered the main objective of the Romanian foreign policy. Whether Prime Minister Ciucă of the Liberals or Ciolacu of the PSD was in government, support for the Republic of Moldova has only grown. And this is normal, given that the majority of the population is of Romanian ethnic origin and we have a common history. And the way Romania will respond to threats against the Republic of Moldova should not surprise anyone. Romania is already responding to threats through its economic and political support,” said the expert.
The public debate entitled “How Russia and Romania defend their citizens abroad” was the 304th installment of IPN’s project “Developing political culture through public debates”, which is implemented with the support of the German Hanns Seidel Foundation.
