On Friday, 7th August, Defence Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca and the chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, met with USAREUR Commander, General James C. McConville, who is on a 2-day visit to Romania.

The chief of the US Army Forces deployed in Europe, Lieutenant General Christopher G. Cavoli and Major General Iulian Berdila who launched the visiting invitation to the US delegation also participated in the meeting.

During the talks, the Romanian and US officials discussed about the Romanian-American Strategic Partnership in the field of defence, ways of increasing military cooperation as well as about resizing of the US Army Forces deployed to Europe, in support of the consolidation of the deterrence posture and assurance of the Allied member states on NATO's Eastern Flank.

Defence Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca reiterated the fact that Romania welcomes the US intention to augment their effort in order to provide for the security of the Black Sea region through a presence ensured on rotational basis and reminded the fact that the US soldiers are always welcome to our country.

Defence Minister mentioned the fact that the US commitment in the region is of utmost strategic importance and is an essential factor for the consolidation of security on NATO's Eastern Flank.

We must continue implementing deterrence and defence measures in the Black Sea region, similar to the ones applied in the Baltic Sea ' emphasized the Romanian defence minister.

When referring to the Romanian-US Strategic Partnership, minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca appreciated that I salute the US continuous commitment through a military robust presence in Romania, beyond the economic and political implications.

Another important subject on the talks agenda was the Romanian Armed Forces' transformation and modernization process and their adaptation to the challenges posed by the our country's geo-strategic context.

In this context, the chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, reminded the fact that tactical and strategic projections are made at the Defence Staff level in order to ensure a sustainable and efficient development that can enable the achievement of an increased interoperability with the Allies.

We are confident in our ambitious modernization plans developed at the level of the Services and in the future investments designated to create a sustainable package of forces that will enable the conduct of all missions assigned. Two of the most modern systems operated by the US Armed Forces - HIMARS and PATRIOT- will enter the property of the Romanian Armed Forces our country being the first Allied state from the Eastern Flank that will hold these systems, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu said.

The tight cooperation with strong allies such as Romania is an essential factor in the promotion of the common security interests, General McConville stated. The USAREUR Commander emphasized that at this level the US plans in deploying more troops in the Black Sea area, on rotational basis, especially to Romania, prove the continuous US commitment for a powerful Europe.

Major General Iulian Berdila and General James C. McConville had extended talks on bilateral and multinational exercises scheduled to take place this year in the context of the COVID-19 pandemics- and in 2021, as well as about the development of the infrastructure necessary to deploy the US and allied forces and the joint training in our country.

Another subject approached by the two military officials was the mission from Afghanistan, where the Romanian and US soldiers conduct joint missions and have a partnership based on solidarity and professionalism. The level of interoperability among allies is above expectations both at bilateral and allied levels, the chief of the Romanian Land Forces appreciated.

We discussed today about the significance of our relationship and importance of increase of the military cooperation. The Romanian and US Land Forces have a long history in solving some of the most pressing security challenges. The US soldiers constantly train together with the Romanian allies with a view of increasing the combat capability and they are doing it right now, while we speak, the US General James C. McConville concluded.

The Press Office