The leadership of the defence ministry received with great sadness the news of the sudden passing away of General Mihail Eugen Popescu. His death is all the more painful for his family as he was barely 65 years old, he was a strong man who had still a lot of experience to share.

In his 35 years of professional life, he trained many young officers who served their country with faith, while his appointment as chief of General Staff in 2000 came in recognition of the experience he acquired along the years.

That period of time in his activity relates to many important events: Romania was invited to join NATO at the Prague Summit, while on 15 April 2004, General Mihail Popescu participated in the ceremony organized at Mons to mark the event of new seven states joining the Alliance.

General Mihail Popescu was the first chief of General Staff to represent Romania at NATO’s Military Committee.
Another achievement of the defence ministry is related to his name: together with the then defence minister he inaugurated the videoconference system that allows the defence leadership to communicate with the troops in theaters of operations.

The Ministry of National Defence brings a last homage to the one who played an important role in drafting the restructuring and modernization concept of the military body.

May he rest in peace!

MoND Press Office