ROMANIA: STATEMENT ON RUSSIA'S CFE ANNOUNCEMENT

UNCLAS BUCHAREST 000825 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCFE PARM PREL RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA: STATEMENT ON RUSSIA'S CFE ANNOUNCEMENT REF: MOSCOW 3451 ¶1. (U) Below is the press response (informal translation) from the MFA on Moscow's announcement to suspend Russia's participation in CFE. ¶2. (U) Begin Text: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its disappointment in view of the Russian Federation stipulated decision to suspend the application of the Conventional Forces in Europe Limitation Treaty and its annexes. Romania appreciates that the CFE Treaty represents a cornerstone in European security, which has demonstrated its viability in the arms control area through its contribution to the consolidation of security and stability in the area of application. In addition, our country has always respected, in good faith, the assumed obligations to comply with the fulfillment of the CFE Treaty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its pledge to the CFE Treaty, and the desire to contribute to the entry into force of the agreement for the Adapted CFE Treaty, after the fulfillment of all of the obligations assumed by the Russian Federation in 1999, in Istanbul. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its hope that dialogue between the states parties of the CFE Treaty will be maintained and that all state parties will continue to respect their full obligations within the framework of the Treaty. End text. TAUBMAN