Romania could help the Republic of Moldova if it is attacked by Russia, based on a law that protects Romanian citizens, said the Chief of the General Staff of the Defense, Georgita Vlad, quoted by Digi 24 TV, BTA reports.
In an interview with Euronews, he indicated that the new draft law on defense, which was approved by the government last week, is welcome in the current context and assured citizens that Romania is prepared to resist and even provide support to the Republic of Moldova if necessary.
"The Romanian Army is helping the Republic of Moldova and the army of the Republic of Moldova to develop the relevant defense capacity. We have many joint training programs. We have many programs for the development of capabilities, we offer assistance to the army of the Republic of Moldova (...) Romania continues to be a faithful ally of the Republic of Moldova, we have a strategic partnership and we will help the Republic of Moldova with absolutely everything in case of an attack", noted the Chief of the General Staff.
When asked whether Romania would intervene in support of Moldova in the event of an attack against it by another country, including Russia, Gheorghe Vlad replied: "To a large extent - yes".
"Don't forget that we have a law by which the Romanian state, in case of conflict, must provide assistance to Romanian citizens who are outside the national borders. Romania has the political, military and other instruments to support Moldova and especially Romanian citizens in the Republic of Moldova," he stressed.
The head of the Romanian army also indicated in the interview that he is convinced that the Russians will not attack, but noted that the hybrid war that Moscow resorts to must be eliminated.
According to data released by Moldovan President Maia Sandu in May 2024, one million citizens of the Republic of Moldova also have Romanian citizenship, reminds Digi 24.
The Ziare website indicates that according to an article of the new draft law on defense, which was approved earlier this month by the government, the President of Romania can order the participation of military and non-military forces outside the territory of the Romanian state to protect Romanian citizens who are in danger abroad, including in the event of armed conflicts.
Also Thus, the parliament can approve the participation of military forces on the territory of the Romanian state or abroad to counter hybrid threats, upon the proposal of the president after consultation with the Supreme Council of National Defense.
According to the Minister of Defense, Ionut Moșteanu, such a hybrid threat could be, for example, an attack on energy infrastructure, which would pose a threat to the country's security.