Romania Fears Could be Target for Spies after Crimea Seizure

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday warned the former communist state could become a target for spies in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea.

"We must definitely take into account the risks of growing espionage activities on Romania's territory in the wake of developments in the region," Basescu said.

"Counter-espionage must therefore be strengthened," he added, after meeting officials of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI).

Romania, which joined the European Union in 2007, has become increasingly nervous since Russian troops moved in to seize the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine.

Other east European countries say they have already become a target of Russian espionage.

Earlier this month Lithuania's security agency accused the Kremlin of placing a spy in its Vilnius embassy who tried to bribe officials for information on EU ties with former Soviet states.

Basescu said Romania could be particularly "interesting" for spies once it becomes a base for a new U.S. anti-missile shield, which has been opposed by Moscow.

He also echoed earlier calls for NATO to reposition its forces in the European Union to provide more protection for potentially vulnerable eastern nations.