The second day of the Videoconference of the NATO Defence Ministers focused on the Allied response to the crisis generated by the COVID-19, and the preparations for a potential second wave of the pandemics. The activity was also attended by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, as well as by the Finnish, Swedish and Australian defence ministers, considering the value added to their contributions in support of NATO's effort to combat the pandemics.

The ministerial debates emphasized the important role played by NATO in support of its Allies and partners to combat the pandemics by means of specific actions such as: flights for the airlift of essential equipment, rendering the battlefield hospitals operational and supporting the civil authorities' efforts.

In this context, the defence ministers approved the operations plan which clearly states the Alliance response methodology in case of a potential new wave of the pandemics, including by creating certain medical equipment storage capabilities making operational a Fund that would finance the Allied efforts in the field. Thus, minister Ciuca presented our country's availability in placing at the Alliance disposal a storage capability for the medical materiel allocated from NATO's reserve, as a solid contribution to the NATO's Response Plan to COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, the Romanian official highlighted the MoND efforts made at national level in order to limit the spread of the virus and protect the population and the armed forces.

At the same time, the interlocutors agreed on consolidating the current measures in the field of resilience and civilian preparedness and use of NATO mechanisms and capabilities for the management of the effects of the pandemics, with focus on the energy, transportation, critical infrastructure, telecommunications and health systems sectors. The officials emphasized the need to increase inter-allied coordination in the process of elimination of the pandemics' effects and the importance of combating disinformation and propaganda campaigns launched by some players against NATO.

The Press Office