The Minister of National Defence, Mircea Dusa, visited garrisons in the north-western part of the country on Friday, 1 February.

In Cluj-Napoca, the minister met with Brigadier General Dumitru Scarlat, commander of the 4th 'Gemina' Infantry Division, and Colonel Camilio Coste commander of \'Dr. Constantin Papilian\' Military Emergency Hospital of Cluj.

After visiting the hospital wings, the defence minister said he considered the activity in the hospital was satisfactory and that the ministry would continue to support the hospital in acquiring modern medical equipment so that the Military Hospital of Cluj should be an outstanding one.

Later in the day, minister Dusa and the chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Stefan Danila participated in the annual report of the 71st Air Flotilla. They appreciated that the activity and the results the military personnel had in training and during national and international exercises were very good.

'I am glad to be here today, in this elite aircraft unit. It is my mission to create the necessary conditions so that you could carry out your activities as efficiently as possible', the defence minister said. Minister Dusa also pointed out that the defence budget would be larger this year and that he has to set realistic, reachable goals. He also spoke of the efforts made to conclude the negotiations with the partners who have F-16 aircraft and reassured them that when the acquisition agreements would be closed, they would take into account financing the program.

In turn, Lieutenant General Stefan Danila appreciated the excellent results the military and civilian personnel of the 71st Air Flotilla \'who are highly qualified' and congratulated them for their cooperation with the US pilots of the Air Alabama National Guard who train with the pilots of Campia Turzii.

The defence minister and the chief of General Staff met with family members of hero aviators of the 71st Air Flotilla in Campia Turzii. They discussed the effective support the military can offer them in dealing and overcoming everyday problems.

Today’s visit program included Bistrita Garrison, where the two officials participated in the annual report of the 81st unde cei doi oficiali au participat la sedinta de autoevaluare a Brigazii 81 Mecanizata 'General Grigore Balan'.

Minister Dusa highlighted the achievements of the troops of Bistrita both during the missions in Afghanistan and during usual training sessions.

'Even if the 2013 budget is larger, we would not be able to completely modernize and equip the military according to the needs over the night. That is why it is imperative that we plan according to what we can do to meet our goals. I thank you for what you do under these austere circumstances and I am convinced that your results would match our expectations', the defence minister said.
While in Bistrita, the ministry leadership met with soldiers wounded in theaters of operations and the families of the heroes who lost their lives on duty, namely 2nd Lieutenant posthumous Cristian-Petru Filip and 2nd Lieutenant posthumous Marius Florin Sfeches.

At the end of today’s activities, Minister Mircea Dusa had a meeting with Radu Moldovan, Chairman of Bistrita County Council and reserve and retired military personnel of the garrison.

MoND Press Office