The Riga Summit agenda, the participation of the Romanian Armed Forces in the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and the other going on NATO operations were the main issues of talks at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters, Thursday, November 16, between the Minister of Defense Sorin Frunzaverde and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

The Minister of Defense reviewed the Romanian participation in the theaters of operations underlining the fact that the keep of the budget for the Defense at minimum 2% from the IGP, is important for the assumed missions fulfillment. NATO General Secretary was informed that for the year 2007 the budget of Defense will be 2.05 % from the IGP.


Mister Sorin Frunzaverde referring to the ISAF operation showed that our attention is focused on the South of Afghanistan where the majority of the Romanian forces are deployed and pleaded for a complementary development based on a better coordination between NATO and the European Union in civilian operations.

Our contribution to KFOR in Kosovo will remain at the same level for the year to come. The Romanian Armed Forces will continue to participate in NATO's effort of training of the Iraqi forces, including the program of training of the Iraqi officers at the National University of Defense in Bucharest ( till now 37 Iraqi officers have been trained).

During the talks on the Riga Summit agenda, the Minister of Defense stressed that it represents a new opportunity within the process of transformation of the Organization based on Prague and Istanbul initiatives. We engaged in supporting the implementation of NATO's new initiatives stressing on the strategic air transport, the special forces and the conceptual developments stated Sorin Frunzaverde presenting the fact that in Riga, Romania will support NATO's policy of the open doors.

The Ministry of Defense will deliver photo and video images on www. mapn.ro. person of contact: Lt. Colonel Marian Dinu, phone: 0724322088.

MoD Press Office