CEE leaders criticise Russian 'posturing'
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
04.11.2015 16:29
A joint statement released in Bucharest on Wednesday by nine Central and Eastern European NATO member states criticised Russia's 'aggressive posturing' and called for a greater NATO presence in the region.
President of Poland Andrzej Duda (L) shakes hands with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis (R) at the end of their common statement that ended the High-level Meeting of the States from Central and Eastern Europe, held at Cotroceni Presidential Palace, in Bucharest, Romania, 04 November 2015. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT
The meeting, which was co-hosted by President of Romania Klaus Iohannis and President of Poland Andrzej Duda, echoed the region's anxieties over Russia's annexation of Crimea and its ongoing support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
"We will stand firm on the need for Russia to return to respect of international law as well as of its international obligations, responsibilities and commitments as a pre-condition for a NATO-Russia relationship based on trust and confidence," the declaration reads.
Following on from comments made by Poland's president on Tuesday night, the joint statement appealed for "a robust, credible and sustainable" NATO presence in the region.
Warsaw will host a NATO summit in 2016, and Poland has high hopes that a significant commitment will be made during the meeting.
Romanian government implodes
The declaration was made against a background of collapse, as Prime Minister of Romania Victor Ponta resigned on Wednesday following a wave of street protests triggered by a nightclub fire that killed 31 in the Romanian capital.
Ponta had been under pressure from the president to resign owing to corruption charges against him, and the nightclub tragedy proved to be the last straw.
“I’m resigning – and implicitly my government too,” he said.
“I am obliged to take note of the legitimate grievances which exist in society.
“I hope handing in my and my government’s mandate will satisfy the demands of protesters.” (nh/rk)
Source: PAP/IAR/Reuters