The Minister of National Defence, Gabriel Oprea and the chief of General Staff, Admiral Gheorghe Marin, had a meeting with the defence attaches (military, aero and naval) accredited in Romania, at the MoND HQ, on February 25.
Minister Gabriel Oprea presented the priorities of the defence policy and the international cooperation. He also presented the prospects for the increase of cooperation with the defence attaches accredited in Romania, as they are an important instrument in the communication of the MoND with allied and partner states.
In this respect, the Minister said that Romania's defence policy and security is based on the principle of collective security and international cooperation and that the Romanian Ministry of National Defence gives high importance to dialogue, cooperation and joint actions at regional and international level.
Mister Gabriel Oprea stated that our country will continue to be part of the international efforts to counter terror, by actively participating in the operations conducted by international organizations, to assist actions against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to support stabilization and reconstruction. 'Both at NATO and EU level, Romania acted as an active member and staunch ally, staying by the commitments it assumed, participating in theaters of operations led by the two organizations' stated the National Defence Minister.
Speaking of the defence priorities, Minister Gabriel Oprea said they derive from Romania's NATO and the EU membership while continuing the process of military transformation and adaptation to the challenges of the international security environment. Romania's position calls for the definition, promotion and protection of Romania's security interests both within NATO and EU, both at regional and bilateral level.
'In order to strengthen Romania's place within NATO and the European Union, we are concerned with furthering the military reform by promoting the credible, modern and effective defence capabilities. Romania's strategic position resulted in the active role it plays in promoting stability and security in the region' the National Defence Minister declared.
Gabriel Oprea mentioned the increase of bilateral relations between the Ministry of National Defence and the armed forces of nations sharing the same values or having convergent interests and, in this context, he mentioned the increase of relations with states with which Romania signed special cooperation partnership agreements.
The National Defence Minister highlighted the importance of the more effective use of defence resources, with a focus on cooperation in operations, on troops' training and in the military educational system as well.

MoND Press Office