Defence Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca had a telephonic talk with the US Secretary of Defence, Mark T. Esper, on Tuesday, 12th May.

The talks agenda included common interest topics such as solidarity in combating the SARS-CoV-2 pandemics and cooperation between the two countries' armed forces both at bilateral level and within NATO.

The officials emphasized the dynamics of the bilateral military relations as part of the Strategic Partnership between the two armed forces. The officials also reviewed the options regarding the evaluation of the Romanian-American relations over the last 10 years as well as their consolidation by establishing a working group made up of experts that can substantiate the collaboration key-fields for the next decade.

Also, the consolidation perspectives of the US forces' presence and the opportunities offered by the projects initiated by our country to modernize infrastructure and develop certain military facilities were analyzed.

The two dignitaries evaluated the security situation at international level and from the Black Sea region, especially in the context of the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. In this context, they expressed the appreciation for the reciprocal support given within the efforts to combat the pandemics: the US provision of the expenses for the conduct of o flight with C-17 Globemaster III aircraft of the Strategic Airlift Capability which airlifted medical protection equipment from Seul to Bucharest in April, respectively Romania's offer to airlift a team made up of 15 military physicians and CBRN specialists. The mission is to be conducted for a 14-day period after having made all necessary preparations.

The officials also approached current topics on NATO's agenda, with focus on the implementation of the Allied reassurance presence of the Eastern flank.

In this context, the Romanian defence minister reviewed the implementation status of the NATO's tFP on the Allied Eastern flank, pointing out Romania's relevant role in the development of the Allied C2 structures in the region. The Multinational Corps South-East from Sibiu will provide, together with the Multinational Division HQ from Bucharest and Multinational Brigade South-East from Craiova, an essential security architecture on the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance, Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca emphasized.

Also, the officials talked aspects related to the disinformation actions conducted by Russia and China during this period.

The Press Office