CHISINAU. Feb 19 (Interfax) - Moldova and Romania will continue to discuss plans to deploy elements of a new U.S. missile defense shield in the region, Moldovan Foreign and European Integration Ministry spokesman Valeriu Turea told Interfax.
The first round of consultations on the issue between the political directors of the Moldovan and Romanian Foreign Ministries finished on Friday.
"Moldova and Romania will discuss all aspects linked to the deployment of an American missile defense shield and its probable consequences," Turea said.
Explaining Chisinau's belated response to Bucharest's announced plans to host elements of the U.S. missile defense system, the spokesman said that "these consultations are a reaction, and it is a normal process."
"The ability to react promptly is good. But an immediate reaction is not always the wisest option in diplomacy," he said.
"The Moldovan and Romanian Foreign Ministers agreed to hold consultations on this problem. But Romania is a sovereign state that takes its own decisions based on its national interests and its own security mechanisms," Turea said.
Plans announced by Transdniestria leader Igor Smirnov to place a Russian missile defense system in the breakaway province are "not interesting", he said.
"The government of Moldova has not authorized Igor Nikolayevich Smirnov to hold military negotiations. Moldova and Russia are engaged in constructive dialogue, which will become more evident during [Moldovan] Prime Minister Vlad Filat's upcoming visit to Moscow," Turea said.