The Minister of National Defence, Adrian THutuianu, received General Petr Pavel, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), at the defence ministry HQ, on Thursday, July 13, during the latter's visit in Romania in order to participate in the multinatinal exercise SABER GUARDIAN 2017.

The officials discussed topics high on the allied agenda, mainly the stage of implementing the decisions made at NATO Summit in Warsaw on enhancing the allied defence and deterrence posture along the entire estaern flank of the Alliance. The defence minister spoke of the evolutions in ensuring NATO tailored forward presence in the Black Sea region, with focus on the importance of progressing in successfully implementing the initiatives related to the security of the entire Alliance, at all three levels, land, maritime and air.

Minister THutuianu pointed out Romania's pledge to observe the allied decision for a fair sharing of responsibilities within the Alliance and emphasized in this respect the defence budget at the level of two percent of the GDP in 2017, and the intention to maintain it at this level for the next ten years.

The two officials spoke of the opportunity offered by exercise SABER GUARDIAN 2017 to train soldiers in a joint multinational environment and the development of interoperabilty and cooperation with a view to ensuring security in the Black Sea region but also in the entire Alliance.

On the same day, the Chiarman of NATO Military Committee met with the chief of Genral Staff, General Nicolae Ciuca.

The chief of General Staff briefed General Pavel on Romania's strive to fulfill its obligations as a NATO member, mentioning the involvement in developing and enhancing the essential elements of the allied tailored forward presence on the southern segment of the eatsern flank of the Alliance. They also discussed the development of the Multinational Brigade, the participation of the Romanian military with a company to the Battle Group in Poland and in the consolidated program of joint multinational training. Among the topics discussed were also the modernization of existing equipment and the acquisition of new ones, increasing the level of the Romanian involvement to the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) and last but not least, participating in NATO effort in Afghanistan.

On Friday, July 14, at 13.00 hrs., Generals Ciuca si Pavel will make joint press declarations at the Palace of the National Military Club.

Journalists interested in participating in the activity are expected at Alba Iulia Hall at the Palace of the National Military Club (the entrance in Constantin Mille Street), between 12.30 and 12.45.

Press Department