ForMin Melescanu on Skripal case: I expect Romanian diplomat to be expelled from Russia, based on reciprocity principle

Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu stated on Wednesday that Romania, as part of the European Union, showed a sign of solidarity with the UK and expelled a Russian diplomat in the context of the scandal related to the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and doesn't exclude the possibility that, in reply, the Russian Federation apply the same measure based on "the reciprocity principle."

"This incident which occurred in the UK is a first. It's for the first time when chemical weapons are used on the soil of a European Union state (...). I want to be very clear: toxic neuro-paralyzing gases (...) can't be purchased from drug stores, there are only a few states which have such reserves (...). There are elements indicating that most probably the possible source is the Russian Federation," Melescanu stated in an interview to Adevarul Live.

He brought to mind that, on a European level, a recommendation has been adopted in respect to repercussion measures over this action and Romania also agreed to express its solidarity with the UK through the decision to expel a Russian diplomat in Bucharest.

"It's a rather mild measure, if you will, when we put it in balance with the Americans' decision to expel 60 diplomats or even with the Republic of Moldova's, that expelled three Russian diplomats from Chisinau. (...) The gesture has its symbolism and I made it with the belief that there is a need to give a very clear signal, that such thing [using chemical weapons] is not to be done either in time of peace, or in time of war," the head of the Romanian diplomacy added.

He also said that in the diplomatic practice any expel automatically leads to the enforcement of "the reciprocity principle" and, this is why, it's expected for the Russian Federation to expel a Romanian diplomat in Moscow.

Melescanu wanted to underscore that Romania wants to have "pragmatic" relations with the Russian Federation, that should be to the benefit of both parties, based on observing norms and principles of the international law. AGERPRES (RO - author: Oana Malina Negrea, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Adina Panaitescu)