Romania has decided to reduce the staff of the Russian embassy in Bucharest by 40 people, to a level close to that of the Romanian embassy in Moscow, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. The decision was communicated to the Russian ambassador in Bucharest, Valeri Kuzmin, who has 30 days to decide who is leaving. If they do not comply, Romania will withdraw the accreditation of some members of the diplomatic and technical-administrative staff from the Russian embassy.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that, at the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu, the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Bucharest was informed today, June 8, 2023, during a meeting with the Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs, about the decision of the Romanian authorities to reduce the diplomatic staff and technical-administrative representation of the Russian Federation in Romania by limiting its number to a level close to that of the diplomatic and technical-administrative representation of Romania in the Russian Federation”, according to an MFA press release.
Russia must reduce its posts at the embassy in Bucharest by 51 positions of diplomats and technical-administrative staff, of which only 40 are actually filled.
“According to the decision of the Romanian authorities, the Russian Federation must reduce the number of positions in Romania by 51 positions – i.e. by 21 diplomat positions and by 30 technical-administrative staff positions, respectively by reducing the staff actually at the post in our country by 40 people – i.e. with 11 diplomats and 29 people belonging to the technical-administrative staff (the difference between the number of posts and the number of staff actually at the post is explained by the fact that not all positions on the scheme of Russian staff in Romania are currently occupied ). The choice of the positions that will be reduced and the people who will have to leave Romania will belong (in this phase) to the Russian Federation, respecting the limitations related to each category (diplomats, respectively technical-administrative staff). Thus, the total number of diplomatic and technical-administrative posts of the Russian Federation in Romania is reduced by 61%, and the effective number of personnel by 55.5%”, the quoted press release states.
The MAE shows that the measure was taken in accordance with the provisions of art. 11 paragraph 1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961:
“In the absence of an explicit agreement on the mission, the accredited state may request that this effective be maintained within the limits of what it considers reasonable and normal, considering the circumstances and conditions existing in this state and the needs of the mission in question.”
Also, the measure to reduce the posts “reflects the current level of bilateral relations, drastically reduced by Romania after the Russian Federation launched the war of aggression against Ukraine”, the MFA also mentions.
Russia has 30 days to reduce the number of posts.
“The Russian side was also informed about the fact that it has a maximum of 30 days to implement the decision of the Romanian side. If this deadline is not respected, the Romanian MFA will take measures to implement the decision by withdrawing 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 ceiling decided for the limitation of Russian staff in Our country.”
Editor: Bogdan Păcurar
