The Minister of National Defence, Gabriel Oprea and NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, had a meeting on Friday, May 7.

During the talks they had at the ministry HQ, the two officials approached topics such as the latest developments in the NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, the new Strategic Concept of the Alliance as well as the transformation process of both the Romanian Armed Forces and NATO.

Minister Oprea asserted that "The framework principles the New Strategic Concept is based on should be the starting point in improving the capability of sustaining the expeditionary forces and in consolidating NRF ". He also emphasized that Romania, in its position as NATO member state, endorses the founding principles of the Alliance and is fully aware of the benefits and responsibilities deriving from its status.

"Please, be assured, Mr. Rasmussen that, despite the world economic crisis, the Romanian Armed Forces will continue to be an active contributor to the missions in the theaters of operations. Consolidating our presence in the Alliance by correlating internal reforms with our participation in NATO capabilities-related initiatives and standing by our assumed commitments, represents a priority of our national efforts, defence minister Oprea said.


As to the security in the Western Balkans, minister Oprea reiterated that the region has a strategic importance for our country, which has built many cooperation relations with the countries in the region, and he emphasized that measures are needed for increasing mutual trust and developing regional security initiatives. "As far as the anti-missile defence system is concerned, Romania stays true to the allied principles of indivisible security and solidarity as defined during the Bucharest and Strasbourg-Kehl Summits. Hosting parts of the system by Romania will be a plus not only for national security but for all South-Eastern nations", the national defence minister declared.

NATO Secretary General thanked Romania for its significant contribution to the mission in Afghanistan and the Romanian troops efforts in training Afghan security forces as well as ensuring stability in the area of responsibility. He also declared that the present difficult financial context for all states makes finding new resources for the priority domains of the Alliance all the more important as well as for sustaining operations and missions NATO assumed. He continued by saying that the defence ministerial in June will approach this aspect related to the Alliance transformation along with that of increasing the mobility of expeditionary forces.
The State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning, Viorel Oancea and the chief of General Staff, Admiral Gheorghe Marin, were also present at the talks held at the ministry HQ.

MoND Press Office