US Anti-Missile System Operational in Romania

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Romania's Prime Minister, Dacian Ciolos, and US Deputy Defence Secretary Bob Work took part in the ceremony that marked the activation the anti-missile system at the US Navy base at Deveselu.

The 800-million-dollar missile site is the first to feature the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile system, a land-based version of the radar tracking system installed on US warships since 2004. The base is to be staffed by 200 to 500 US military, civilian and contract employees.

"As long as Iran continues to develop and deploy ballistic missiles, the United States will work with its allies to defend NATO," US Deputy Defence Secretary Work said at the ceremony.

The Deveselu site is part of the larger EPAA system, provided largely by the US for NATO use.

Groundwork on a second, ground-based interceptor site in Poland is due to begin on Friday. Plans call for the site in Redzikowo to be operational by the end of 2018.

US missile plans in Eastern Europe have long worried Russia, despite NATO and US attempts to allay its concerns.

"This site in Romania, as well as the one in Poland, are not directed against Russia. Missile defence is for defence," NATO's Secretary-General said on Thursday, calling Russia's opposition to the shield "irresponsible" and "unjustified."

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, speaking at a joint news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Bucharest, also reiterated that the system was not "directed against any state", meaning Russia.

Despite attempts to assure Moscow of the defensive character of the system, Kremlin officials say it represents a potential threat to Russia's missiles and a disruption of the regional strategic balance.

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