Today, July 1st, after a common ceremony organized in Bucharest and attended by the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, the Initial Operational Capability of the Multinational Division South-East (MND-SE HQ) and the Full Operational Capability for the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU ROU) were declared. The Allied Joint Force Command Naples was represented by its commander, Admiral Michelle Howard.

The event marks the major progress made in the accomplishment of one of the most important strategic projects of the Ministry of National Defence and the Government of Romania for this year rendering operational and ensuring an optimal functioning of the allied command and control structures established on Romanian territory. The goals to be accomplished will be permanently monitored but the project can be already considered accomplished as previously scheduled.

According to the commitments undertaken by Romania at the NATO Wales Summit, the two allied headquarters were established and activated as part of the NATO force structure, being an important component of the Implementation package of the Alliance Readiness Action Plan.

A week before the NATO Warsaw Summit, the declaration of the capability levels of the two allied command and control structures has a special significance for the consolidation of the defence and deterrence posture and of the NATO force forwarded presence on the Eastern flank of the Alliance.

MND-SE HQ and NFIU ROU are a visible and at the same time defensive presence of NATO on Romanian territory. Their mission is to facilitate rapid deployment of allied forces in the region in support of the collective defence by enabling the connection between themselves and the nations from the area but also by planning and conducting several multinational exercises and other common training drills. They stand for the proof that our country is a solid ally in this part of Europe and an important contributor to the regional and international security architecture.

Press Department