Defence Minister Gabriel Les, participated in the Informal Meeting of Defence Ministers 28-29 August 2019, Helsinki, Finland.

The topics approached during the reunion were artificial intelligence and new technologies as well as the impact of climatic changes, the surrounding environment on security and defence and the coordinate maritime presence. Also, current topics from the field of hybrid threats were approached during a common working session with the foreign affairs ministers.

The first working session that was held on Wednesday, 28 August, with the participation of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, focused on artificial intelligence and new technologies, including from the need to identify the impact the artificial intelligence has on the defence and capability development concepts as well as the benefits the new technologies can bring to the field of defence.

In his allocution, the defence minister saluted the efforts made to increase visibility of artificial intelligence on EU's agenda and expressed his support for the continuation of the reflection process on this subject matter, in an approach that will allow the development of a common vision with regard to the future courses of action. The Romanian official emphasized the importance of considering the fundamental principles which support EU's efforts such as ethical considerations, legislative framework, transparency criteria, predictability, as well as an efficient financial management. Also, the defence minister highlighted the need to take a common approach with other international organizations, including by creating an adequate legal framework and the usefulness of increasing cooperation with NATO in this respect.

The second of the day of the reunion, on 29 August, the defence ministers had a detailed talk as part of the Session on Climate and Defence, attended by NATO Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, and emphasized the fact that the weather changes get ever bigger threats posed to the security and peace which impact the population, and cause the intensification of the migration phenomenon and limit the ability of states to ensure their own security.

The Romanian defence minister emphasized the fact that the climate changes act as threats multiplier, thus, amplifying the vulnerabilities within societies and the threats posed to security. Also, Gabriel Les supported the efforts made to identify certain solutions in the field of defence and reiterated Romania's constant support in this line, including through the reorganization during the PRESRO-of the fourth reunion of the Consultative Forum with respect to the energetic sustainability in the field of security and defence. In this context, the Romanian defence minister emphasized the fact that the climatic changes and their impact on security represent dialogue opportunities in the cooperation relation between EU-NATO.

When referring to the EU Concept on the Coordinated Maritime Presence, defence minister Gabriel Les highlighted the fact that this initiative is a basis for future discussion and analyses with a view of a having a common understanding of the actions that need to be taken in this field. The Romanian official expressed his conviction that the initiative would contribute to the consolidation of EU's role as provider of maritime security on long-term, at global level, in agreement with the priorities and objectives set in EU Global Strategy. Also, minister Les emphasized the need to have a balanced assignment of the Maritime Areas of Interest, at the same time, emphasizing the importance of the Black Sea Region.

During the common session with the foreign affairs ministers dedicated to the countering of the hybrid threats, defence minister Gabriel Les expressed his appreciation and support for the measures adopted by EU in the field and emphasized the contribution brought by the Helsinki Center of Excellence in support of the capability building of the EU state members in this field. At the same time, the Romanian defence minister pointed out the importance of EU NATO cooperation, by reiterating the need to fully implement the package of proposals adopted the NATO Summits from Warsaw in 2016, respectively Brussels in 2018.

The Press Office