The defence minister Mihnea Motoc made an official visit in Berlin on October 5, at the invitation of his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen. During the bilateral meeting, the two officials analyzed the current geopolitical context and the security situation in the proximity of NATO and the EU and discussed topics of mutual interest concerning the defence cooperation between Romania and Germany and other topics high on the allied and European agenda.

The German defence minister stressed the very good relations between the two countries, characterized by mutual trust. The two officials emphasized the need to intensify political and military dialogue with a view to mutual support within the Alliance and the EU and strengthening practical cooperation among the military services.

As to cooperation within the Alliance, the two ministers noted that the key goal for the next period of time would be implementing the decisions taken at NATO Summit in Warsaw, in terms of ensuring a credible NATO presence along the entire eastern flank of the Alliance, while the next notable decisional landmark in this respect is NATO defence ministerial at the end of October.

The Romanian minister pointed out the strategic importance of the Black Sea for the security of the Euro-Atlantic space and the need to consolidate the tailored forward presence for the southern flank of the Alliance, as an essential and concret element of NATO's strategic defence and deterrence posture. In this respect, he thanked Minister von der Leyen for the announced German contribution with staff personnel to the command of the Multinational Brigade in Romania and for the contribution to the two NATO command and control structures in Romania.

The German defence minister appreciated Romania's joining the Framework Nation Concept, obviously a contribution to the accomplishment of the level of ambition of the Alliance. Minister Motoc stressed that Romania's participation in this group is proof of its commitment to jointly develop military forces and capabilities needed by NATO, by intensifying cooperation among the European allies.
As to cooperation within EU, the two officials discussed ways of implementing EU Global Strategy on foreign and security policy in the next period of time and the important role of EDA in the process, especially concerning the development of capabilities at European level. After BREXIT, the defence and security dimension got a particular importance, as one of the fields where the European efforts could focus in order to relaunch the European project.

Minister Motoc emphasized the need to clearly understand the EU level of ambition in terms of security and defence as well as the importance and the need for all EU members to be involved in the cooperation formats, the need for synergy and complementarity of EU and NATO, the need to endorse the development of a competitive European defence industry and using the opportunities offered by the European Defence Agency.

Press Department