The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia reacted on Thursday to the decision of Romania to reduce the number of diplomatic staff of the embassy of the Russian Federation in Bucharest by dozens of positions, saying that it will react “appropriately”.

Embassy of RussiaPhoto: Serhiy Supinsky / AFP / Profimedia Images

We will remind you that Romania has decided to reduce the diplomatic and technical-administrative staff of the Russian Federation in the country, limiting their number to a level close to the diplomatic and technical-administrative representation of Romania in Russia. According to a press release issued on Thursday by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this measure should be implemented within 30 days.

As reported by the Associated Press news agency, the Russian Foreign Ministry later announced that Moscow would give an “appropriate response.”

According to the decision of the Romanian authorities, the Russian Federation should reduce the number of positions in Romania by 51 positions – i.e. by 21 diplomat positions and 30 technical and administrative staff positions, accordingly reduce the staff in our country by 40 people – i.e. by 11 diplomats and 29 technical-administrative personnel (the difference between the number of positions and the actual number of positions is explained by the fact that not all positions on the scheme of Russian personnel in Romania are currently occupied), says the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the cited source, the measure was taken in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 para. 1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, which provides that “in the absence of an express agreement as to the mission, the receiving State may require that these forces be maintained within the limits which it considers reasonable and normal, having regard to the circumstances and conditions, that exist in this state, and the needs of this mission.”

Ambassador Kuzmin was informed about this decision

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Bucharest Volodymyr Kuzmin was informed about this decision on Thursday during a meeting with the Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs.

The choice of positions to be cut and people to leave Romania will be up to the Russian Federation at this stage.

The Russian side was also informed that it has a maximum of 30 days to implement the decision of the Romanian side. If this deadline is not met, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania will take steps to implement the decision by revoking the accreditation of some members of the diplomatic and technical-administrative staff of the Russian Federation in Romania in order to ensure compliance with the upper limit set for the restriction. Russian personnel in our country.

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