Jaap de Hoop Scheffer: NATO has “an interesting dialogue” with Moldova

NATO has “an interesting dialogue” with the Republic of Moldova, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was reported by the Romanian media as stating at a meeting with the student community in Iasi city. “We must not neglect Moldova as a partner, despite the complicated situation there. I hope a solution is found. Let’s keep Moldova in our mind and let’s work constructively with it”, the NATO official suggested. At the same time, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer dismissed any possibility that the declaration of Kosovo’s independence would constitute a precedent. On the other hand, Romania’s Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu has recently stated that the recognition of Kosovo’s independence would crate a precedent that might have consequences for other regions bordering the European Union, such as Transnistria. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigori Karasin also believes that the Kosovo issue represents “a Pandora’s box” that may lead to unexpected consequences.