The Minister of National Defence, Mircea Dusa, had an official meeting with his French counterpart, Jean Yves Le Drian, at the French defence ministry headquarters, on Thursday, 28 August. Minister Mircea Dusa conveyed a message of appreciation of the efforts made by France in the context of the security crisis in NATO`s eastern flank and the participation of the French troops in the security measures taken for the allies.

\"France is our traditional partner and the relations between our people and armed forces got stronger over the years. We appreciate the help France gave us during the pre-accession stage to NATO and EU, especially during the common training of our troops in the last years\"minister Dusa added.

The preparations for the NATO Summit of Wales in September was another topic of discussion, while the conclusion shared by the two ministers was that it was essential that long-term measures be taken for the consolidation of the allied defence posture.

The two officials also talked of the security measures of NATO`s and EU`s eastern flank as well as maritime security in the Black Sea.

Minister Mircea Dusa pointed out the importance of military bilateral relations that should develop and perpetuate strategic dialogue, common exercises and participation in missions under NATO/EU aegis as established at the French-Romanian Reunion in \"2+2\"format of Paris, on 7 May this year.

\"During the last three years, Romania increased the defence budget on an annual basis, while Romania`s GDP became bigger and ensured the necessary framework for a real increase of the defence budget. I am convinced that this budgetary increase will result in the possibility to resume the technical and military cooperation between our countries\", minister Dusa said further.

This visit brought Romania and France further in consolidating their military cooperation relations, in learning about each other`s goals and interests in terms of defence and security developments.
The defence ministers also approached topics on the agenda of the European Union that will be discussed at the EU Ministerial in Milan, in September. Minister Mircea Dusa emphasized the importance that the European path crosses the Moldovan Republic, Ukraine and Georgia.

MoND Press Office