The United States expressed concern Friday over the impeachment of Romania's president by parliament, urging the European Union member state to ensure that the rule of law is respected.
"We are concerned about recent developments occurring in Romania, our NATO ally and partner, which threaten democratic checks and balances and weaken independent institutions, such as the courts," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.
Romania's parliament voted Friday to impeach center-right President Traian Basescu, with 256 out of 432 lawmakers voting in favor of the move. The impeachment will only take effect if approved in a referendum that will be held on July 29.