The Minister of National Defence, Mihnea Motoc, had a meeting with General Curtis Scaparotti, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), on July 4, 2016. The talks agenda focused on the recent developments of the regional and international security environment, directions for the consolidation of NATO deterrence and defence posture and forward presence on its eastern flank, as central themes on NATO agenda at the Summit in Warsaw.

The Romanian Defence Minister presented Romania's position at the summit, emphasizing the need of a consistent, coherent and proportional approach by the entire NATO eastern flank, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. In this respect, they discussed the measures related to Romania as part of the advanced presence adapted for the south-eastern part of NATO territory. It was pointed out that they are based on the national contributions with defence forces and capabilities as well as the participation of the allies, some of which are already engaged while others are about to be.

The two officials agreed that the summit is a landmark in the process of switching from reassurance measures to NATO's strategic adaptation to the challenges of the new security environment, where a special attention was given to the specific ways of involving allied military authorities in the next period and the practical implementation of the decisions to be adopted by the heads of states or governments in Warsaw.

NATO ballistic missile defence system was also discussed, as one of Romania's priorities for the NATO Warsaw Summit and a key component of NATO collective defence and deterrence.

Another topic discussed was related to the current involvement of NATO in different theaters of operations. General Scaparotti spoke highly of Romania in terms of its contribution and the professionalism of its troops in NATO missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans.
Minister Motoc reiterated Romania's strong commitment to carry out its responsibilities related to all the important topics on NATO agenda, based on the national decision to provide the budgetary resources for the modernisation and consolidation of defence capabilities. SACEUR insisted on the special importance of implementing the Defence Pledge, made at NATO Summit in Wales.

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General Curtis Scaparotti took over the position of Commander of the United States European Command (EUCOM) on May 3, 2016, and that of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on May 4, 2016.

Press Department