The Minister of National Defence, Gabriel-Beniamin Les, received the US Ambassdor, Hans Klemm, at the defence ministry, on Friday, January 27.

During this first meeting, the two officials discussed recent developments of the regional and international security environement as well as intensifying defence cooperation at bilateral level and within the Alliance.

Minister Les spoke of the strategic priorities of the government in terms of defence and security deriving from the pledge to ensure 2 percent of the GDP for defence . He also emphasized the importance of the US Strategic Partnership for Romania. The defence minister said he appreciated the solid US commitment and the presence of the US troops in our country, highlighting the importance of the US involevement in strengthening defence and the deterrence of all threats and risks to European security, especially along the eastern flank of the Alliance.

Gabriel-Beniamin Les spoke of implementating the decisions made at Warsaw Summit, mainly on NATO forward presence on the eastern flank, emphasizing the importance of intensifying the efforts to implement the decisions taken in this respect efficiently and timely. In this context he reiterated the importance of the Black Sea for the Euro-Atlantic stability and security.

Ambassador Klemm thanked for Romania's essential contribution to the regional and international security, highlighting the operational efforts of the Romanian military in Afghanistan, Iraq and the other theaters of operations. The ambassador reiterated the pledge of the authorities in Washington to consolidate the defence dimension of the Strategic Partnership, that should result in an increased American presence in the region and intensifying the bilateral programs on training and exercises.

Press Department