Defence Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca and the chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, participated on Friday, 17th July, in Italy, in the hand-over/take-over ceremony of the command of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC). As part of the event conducted at Naples, Admiral James G. Foggo III handed-over the JFC's command to Admiral Robert P. Burke (both admirals are part of the US Naval Forces).

After the ceremony, minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca congratulated the new commander of the JFC Naples, Admiral Burke, for his new position, restating one more time the importance of the Strategic Partnership between the USA and Romania in the military field but also the contribution brought by the JFC Naples in the planning and conduct of operations within Allied structures functioning on our national territory.

The common actions taken by the NATO countries in support of an enhanced Forward Presence on the Eastern Flank reflects an increased acknowledgement of the need for consolidation as well as the concrete manifestation of the solidarity among allies. I consider that the development of the strong trans-Atlantic relationship is the essential requirement for ensuring stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic space, minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca declared.

As part of the event dedicated to the hand-over/take-over ceremony of the command of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, the Romanian minister had an official meeting with Kenneth J. Braithwaite, the Secretary of the US Department of the Navy. During the talks, minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca highlighted the importance of a robust, efficient and credible Allied presence in Romania, considering the complex security situation from the Black Sea area. Also, the Romanian defence minister pointed out the fact that Romania would stay committed to the participation in the NATO-led missions, focusing on the importance given by our country to Resolute Support Mission from Afghanistan. The two officials approached ways of rescheduling the training and preparedness activities in the context of the COVID 19 pandemics.

The chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu personally thanked Admiral James G. Foggo during the Naples ceremony for his permanent and significant support offered to the HQ MND-SE in order to reach full operational capability, a NATO multinational structure deployed on Romanian territory but also for the establishment of a new NATO structure in Romania, the Headquarters Multinational Corps South-East (HQ MNC-SE).

The Press Office