Defence Minister Teodor Melescanu is heading a delegation on a visit in the theatre of operations in Kosovo today.

After landing on the airport in Pristina, the Romanian delegation went to the Villagio Italia Camp near Pec to meet the 307th Marines Battalion, the staff officers and intelligence officers deployed in Kosovo.

Lieutenant Colonel Liviu Lupu, national senior officer, and Major Marius Gheorghescu, Dettachment Commander of the 307th Marines Battalion briefed the minister on their missions in the area of responsibility (more than 1,200 in two months), on the cooperation with other soldiers deployed in the region, and on the living conditions in Camp Villagio Italia.

Teodor Melescanu talked with the soldiers, inquiring about the equipment and about the soldiers' problems. The minister was satisfied with the Romanian Marines' activity in Kosovo, and stressed their important role regarding the relations with the local authorities and the local population. Your presence here means a sign of stability, especially for the civilian population, the Romanian Defence Minister said.

The Romanian delegation met with Colonel Cveto Kravanja, Deputy Commander of the Multinational Task Force West (MNTF-W) and with Colonel Filipo Tatoli, Commander of TASK FORCE AQUILA, within which the Romanian Marines operate. The delegation was briefed on the developments in the area of responsibility.

State Secretary Georgeta Elisabeta Ionescu, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant-General Mihail Orzeata, the Chief of Navy Staff, Rear Admiral Dorin Danila, and the Deputy Commander of the 2nd Joint Operational Command, Major-General Chiranescu and the Chief of the Operations Directorate, Air Flotilla General Ion-Aurel Stanciu were part of the Romanian delegation.

MoD Press Office