Minister of National Defence, Gabriel Les, participated in the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum International Conference, which took place at Mamaia, on June 14th.

In his allocution, minister Les presented an assessment of the security situation from the Black Sea area, pointing out that its development can be alarming because of Russia's strategic interests in this geographical space, by trying to ensure its military supremacy and limit NATO's regional posture.

The defence minister emphasized that Romania pays attention to Russia's behavior with respect to the adaptation of its security strategy and its military doctrine with a view of limiting the initiation of a military action and the launching of preemptive attacks and the fact that is necessary that the North-Atlantic Alliance focus on this matter. Also, Gabriel Les appreciated that a long-term strategy for the Black Sea region needs to be developed in order to permanently monitor Russia's actions in the area, consolidate the internal resilience capability of our partners against the pressures made by this country but also to consolidate NATO's deterrence and defence posture in the area.

The approach of the allies for the Black Sea region, presented at Washington, this April, represents an important step in this direction, said minister of national defence.

When referring to the second important topic of this conference the security situation in the Western Balkans, minister Les appreciated that a new crisis in the region would have serious repercussions on the European security and stability.

The commitment to stabilize the Western Balkans and integrate them in the Euro-Atlantic community are a central point in our strategy on the region, while the security and stability are of strategic importance for Romania /.../ Also, the current operational commitment of the European Union must be maintained because it brought substantial results and continues to be very important for the stability and security of the region, appreciated the defence minister.

Minister Les concluded by saying that, in his opinion, it is necessary that the European Union send a clear and overall message with respect to the support offered to the European perspective of the countries in the region, basing on its own merits, thus, offering them the motivation to continue their internal reforms and ensure the respecting of the democratic values and human rights.

The Press Office