NATO ministers of defence discussed today in Brussels the implementation of the Readiness Action Plan to ensure the increase of the operational capacity of the Alliance and the goals set for the Warsaw Summit related to the strategic adaptation of the Alliance and the developments in NATO's strategies to counter hybrid war and the possibilities to improve cyber defence.

A topic of interest was the security situation in Afghanistan and Syria. The latest developments, especially what happened in Kunduz, are as many reasons of concern on the security situation in Afghanistan. The defence ministers also consider that the situation in Syria is a reason of concern, especially in terms of the effects on security generated in the region but also the humanitarian consequences.

As to the major challenges the North Atlantic organization faces, we consider the reassurance measures should continue and should be strengthened minister Mircea Dusa stated.

The Romanian official said our country gives a special importance to the developments in the region, related to the command and control capabilities available for the Alliance. As you already know, we made the necessary steps to activate the NFIU on our territory. Moreover, we continue to work for the activation of the Multinational Division South-East. We intend to reach the Initial Operational Capacity ahead of Warsaw Summit and to have the full operational capacity by April 2018 minister Dusa declared.

During the discussions they had during the meeting, the Romanian dignitary emphasized that Romania redefined its contribution to eNRF in the framework of the allied efforts to reduce deficits in 2016, by augmenting its participation in the air force capabilities with two search&rescue helicopters and four airlift helicopters.

During the meeting, the defence ministers agreed on activating two new NFIUs in Slovakia and Hungary and to continue the process of rendering operational the Maritime Strategy of the Alliance.

An important topic was preparing the agenda of the future NATO Summit in Warsaw, with a view to the strategic adaptation of the Alliance to the new security environment.

Minister Mircea Dusa will also participate in the NATO-Georgia session where the Alliance relations with Georgia would be analyzed, the stage of the reforms in this country and the stage of implementing NATO's substantial package of assistance for Georgia.

MoND Press Office