The Minister of National Defence, Mircea Dusa, met with the Ambassador of Lithuania to Bucharest, Mr. Arvydas Pocius, at the defence ministry HQ, on Tuesday, December 9.

The two officials discussed the security situation on NATO's eastern flank and bilateral defence cooperation.

Minister Mircea Dusa said, in this respect, that the Action Plan to increase NATO's operational capability is essential to redefining the defence and deterring posture of the Alliance. Both Romania and Lithuania firmly endorse the allied presence on their national territories.

Cooperation in the field of military capabilities should be strengthened especially among the states on the eastern flank of the Union, an idea supported by both delegations.

'From our perspective, it is important to continue the efforts of coordinating the EU initiative to jointly develop and use capabilities as well as NATO's similar endeavor' said the Romanian defence minister.

As to the security situation in Ukraine and the eastern neighboring area, the Romanian official pointed out the importance of adopting the European Security Strategy through the active involvement of the Eastern Partnership members in the processes of the Common Defence and Security Policy.

'Defence cooperation should be based not only on the convergence of the planning processes but on a shared vision of the member states on the security challenges we are facing', Minister Dusa concluded.

In turn, Mr. Arvydas Pocius appreciated the merits of the Romanian troops and Romania`s consistency in its commitment to the allies.

MoND Press Office