The Minister of National Defence, Mihnea Motoc, received H.E. Osman Koray Ertas, the Ambassador of Turkey to Bucharest, at the defence ministry, on Tuesday, December 22.

The agenda covered the present security situation and the perspectives of bilateral cooperation and in terms of regional and Euro-Atlantic initiatives.

Speaking of 2016 NATO Warsaw Summit, the Romanian official highlighted the interest of our country for the long term adaptation of the alliance to the new types of threats, with a focus on the Black Sea region, an area of mutual interest for Romania and Turkey, as riverine states and adopting a deterrance and efficient defence posture through a robust allied presence on the eastern flank of NATO.

The two officials discussed the complex character of the present security situation with a focus on the developments in the extended Black Sea region.

Both parties expressed their intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation especially in the field of defence.

The Romanian defence minister availed himself of the opportunity and spoke highly of Turkey's contribution in manning NATO command and control structures established in Romania as well as the participation of the Turkish detachment of the 66th Mechanized Brigade in the military parade organized in Bucharest on December 1.

MoND Press Office