The Minister of National Defence, Mihnea Motoc, met with NATO Deputy Secretary General, Rose Gottemoeller at the defence ministry, on Monday, November 7, during her first official visit in Romania.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed topics high on the Alliance agenda, focusing on security developments in the Black Sea region and implementing the decisions made at NATO Summit in Warsaw and the recent NATO defence ministerial in Brussels. They assessed the allied measures to secure a forward presence on the eastern flank, with focus on intensifying the efforts to implement efficiently and timely the decisions concerning the tailored forward presence in the Southern part of the Eastern flank.

Minister Mihnea Motoc briefed on the stage of implementing Romanian initiatives in the land, air and maritime field and the important contributions anounced by the allied countries at the defence ministerial of October. He also stressed the importance of the Black Sea for the Euro-Atlantic security and stability, as well as the need for NATO military and political authorities to advance quickly their actions with a view to prepare the decisions to be taken at the defence ministerial of February 2017.

The NATO official emphasized the interest in maintaining the allied unity, efficiency and solidarity in the current complex security context. She reconfirmed the political support and increased attention NATO gives to the forward presence in the south and east, with a view to ensuring a solid and tailored response to the threats and challenges specific to the Black Sea region.

NATO Deputy Secretary General appreciated Romania's substantial commitment in the projects and initiatives of the Alliance. She also pointed out the need to allot funds for the consolidation of the defence capabilities (2% of the GDP), in order to prove the Alliance credibility and to strengthen the transatlantic connection.

Press Department