The conclusion we reached is for all the member states to make the efforts in fulfilling their engagements so that, the dead line the North Atlantic Alliance engaged for an operational rapid reaction force to be observed stated minister Teodor Atanasiu at the end of the Reunion of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Defense ministers from NATO member states occurred in Brussels.

Teodor Atanasiu also mentioned that the talks aimed the use of the common founds and NATO missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans.

Minister of National Defense stated that the Romanian armed forces missions in the theaters of operations will continue: We asked for the unification of the two missions in Afghanistan so that only NATO mission to remain with the two aspects reconstruction, in which our participation is in a smaller proportion and the peacekeeping, in which we have a more important participation.

As regarding Iraq, Atanasiu stated that this mission will suffer transformations so that it will have a part of reconstruction, too. Probably, we have to analyze, too within the Supreme Council of Defense of the Country the new role the Romanian soldiers will have in the theaters of operations" added Atanasiu.

Minister of National Defense had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Italy, Hungary and Afghanistan during his presence in Brussels.

The Afghani minister of Defense, Abdul Rahim Wardak expressed his gratitude for the help granted by the Romanian Government and people to his country and in this respect evoked the Red Scorpions contribution in bringing security and stability in Afghanistan. The soldiers of the 26th Infantry Battalion Red Scorpions participated in two missions in Afghanistan, in 2002 (six months) and 2005 (four months). The soldiers from Craiova also participated in missions in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. Details and photos can be accessed on www.mapn.ro.

MoND Press Office