The Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gabriel Oprea made the planned visit to the 52nd 'Tisa' Engineer Battalion, at Satu Mare, on Saturday, October 9. There he met with commanders of military units in Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Cluj, Maramures, Satu Mare and Salaj counties, with the personnel of the engineer battalion, with representatives of the military personnel of military services working in these garrisons.

Minister Oprea and the personnel present at the meeting discussed the state of the military, this year`s legal and institutional projects meant to solve social problems of active duty and reserve military personnel as well as aspects related to organizing ceremonies for the celebration of the Day of the Armed Forces on October 25.

They continued discussing the partnership the Ministry of National Defence initiated this year with the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism and local authorities for the development of housing projects for young people. Such projects initiated in the counties where the defence ministry has the necessary spaces and land will solve the housing problems for those who just start a military career. The minister said that he himself and the ministry leadership are highly concerned over the social protection issues for military and civilian personnel, which is why the transfer of land to local authorities was done on condition that 30 to 50 percent of the houses built there will be allotted to young military personnel.

Mr. Oprea emphasized his concern over the improvement of the existing legal frame on the status of military personnel. Those present talked of the amendments to Law 346/2006, on the statute of military personnel. The amendments brought important changes in the career for enlisted personnel and volunteers, so that they can stay active until the age of 45, with equal chances as the military personnel with whom they train and conduct mission at home or abroad. Steps were made to amend Law 80/1995, on the status of military personnel with a view to improving and adapt the statute of the officer, the NCO and WO to the new context in which Romanian Armed Forces operate.

The meeting with military personnel of six north-western counties is one of the activities planned by the defence ministry leadership with a view to getting to know on site, the real life and working conditions of military and civil personnel so that quick steps should be taken to solve possible problems they might face.

During the visit, the defence minister was accompanied by the commander of the 4th 'Gemina' Infantry Division, Brigadier General Avram Catanici, by generals and officers of the Land Forces Staff, of the division command in Cluj.

MoND Press Office