Romanian Defence Minister Teodor Melescanu backtracked on his proposal to hold joint military maneuvers with Russia to ease tensions over US bases, claiming his words were misinterpreted.

Melescanu was quoted as saying in Paris earlier this week that Romania and Bulgaria would make the offer as a sign of good will, but his comments were shot down by Moscow.

"I never proposed joint maneuvers together with Bulgaria, Russia and the US because I am not entitled to making such proposals even for Romania," Melescanu said in a statement posted on the ministry's website.

"My comment was that joint exercises as part of the Partnership for Peace together with forces from Bulgaria, Russia and other Black Sea countries could be a good opportunity to lay some fears to rest," he added.

Melescanu reiterated his position that the US bases that will be set up in Romania and Bulgaria will not pose a threat to Russia, quite the opposite, they would enhance security in the region.

Bulgaria and Romania signed treaties to host US bases that could be used for staging military operations rather than for permanent troop deployment.

But the idea was vehemently opposed by Russia, with President Vladimir Putin threatening before this week's G8 meeting to redirect ballistic missiles back towards Europe, as Soviet Union did at the height of the Cold War.

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