A delegation of Romania's Government headed by Prime-Minister Viorica Dancila, among the members being Defence Minister Gabriel Les, met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, today, January 23rd, at Brussels.

The agenda of the talks consisted in topics of utmost importance for the North-Atlantic Alliance, such as the evolution of the security in the Black Sea region, and the implementation of the allied decisions with respect to the strengthening of the defence and deterrence posture but also the commitments assumed by the allied states with respect to the 3 C concept cash, capabilities, contribution.

Defence Minister Gabriel Les emphasized the need to increase the maritime presence of the Standing NATO Maritime forces in the Black Sea by setting up a solid Allied ground presence in Romania with the view of discouraging and defending the allied territory, an enforced Allied naval presence but also by filling the shortfalls in an enhanced Air Policing missions.

Also, the minister highlighted the importance of completing NATO's command and control architecture, by establishing the multinational land command and control HQ connected to the Joint Force Command Naples, continuing consultations with Georgia and Ukraine on the Black Sea security as well as developing regional cooperation against hybrid threats. The Alliance's long-term strategy should develop a structured approach on the region, as part of a detailed evaluation of Russia's posture, stated minister Gabriel Les.

When referring to the Allied deterrence and defence posture, the minister of national defence reiterated the fact that the implementation of the tailored Forward Presence (tFP) remains a priority for our country, emphasizing the need to increase contributions of the Allied member states with forces to the Multinational Brigade South-East Craiova.

At the end of the meeting, minister Les restated our country's commitment in respecting the 3 C principle Cash, by continuing allocating 2% of the GDP for defence; Capabilities, by allocating 35% from the budget defence for equipment procurement, modernization of the existing ones and for research & development activities; Contribution, by restating the commitment to support NATO's efforts in countering terrorism by participating within the Coalition-type mission as well as in the new NATO Mission in Iraq.

For 2019, we have pledged to further increase our contribution to Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan to more than 800 troops, by deploying military police personnel, advisors and personnel that can provide for the force protection, defence minister concluded.

The Press Office