The heads of the Romanian and US delegations that negotiate the Agreement on deploying elements of the American missile defense system on the territory of Romania - MFA State Secretary Bogdan Aurescu and US Under Secretary of State Ellen Tauscher, together with the Chief of the General Staff of the Romanian Armed Forces, Major General Stefan Danila - will make a working visit and will have meetings with local authorities at the Olt County Prefect`s Office, on 3 May 2011. There will be talks on the reasons and implications of the decision to deploy elements of the American missile defense system at military unit 01871 at Deveselu.

After the meeting with local authorities, Romanian MFA State Secretary Bogdan Aurescu and US Under Secretary of State Ellen Tauscher will make brief statements to the press.

The delegation of Romanian and US officials will then go to military unit 01871 at Deveselu, for an official ceremony attended by representatives of local authorities, as well. High military representatives of the two delegations will address the audience.

Background information

The Supreme National Defense Council decided that elements of the US missile defense system would be deployed at military unit 01871 in Olt County.

During its meeting of May 2, 2011, the Supreme Council of National Defence (SCND) discussed the results of the selection process for the site in Romania that would host elements of the American missile defense system. The process began in the context of negotiations on the legal framework for Romania`s participation in the American project and was completed a few weeks ago. Relevant Romanian and US institutions analyzed the best option that met all the technical criteria established by the two sides.

The decision of the SCND concerning the site is phase-related, meaningful in the context of completing the bilateral negotiations concerning deployment in Romania of elements of the US missile defense system. Final approval of the site and its legal regime is to be given by the Parliament of Romania which, under the legal provisions in force, is to ratify the Agreement on deployment in the territory of Romania of elements of the US missile defense system, resulting from the negotiating process.

MoND Press Office