Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, participated in the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial SEDM, conducted at Sofia, over 16-17 November. Bulgaria is currently holding the Presidency of the Initiative.

The defence ministers analyzed the status of the projects initiated within the initiative and approved a series of planning documents on SEDM operational component activity, respectively the South-Eastern Europe Brigade SEEBRIG. The nations have also made proposals on the perspective of SEEBRIG involvement in peace-keeping missions as well as in the NATO and EU-led multinational exercises.

In his allocution, the Romanian defence minister emphasized the importance Romania pays to the SEDM regional initiative, pointing out the fact that the robust partnerships are paramount for the success of the efforts made to ensure a safe and stable environment.

Angel Tilvar reiterated Romania's determination in actively contributing to the development of the on-going projects run within the initiative, including by capitalizing on the training opportunities of the SEEBRIG forces in the MoND military training facilities. At the same time, the Romanian official emphasized Romania's commitment to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and mentioned the international conference associated to the Women Leaders in the field of Security and Defence (FLSD) Project, an event organized an as an important SEDM project, which the MoND will organize in Bucharest, over 22-25 November this year.

During his allocution within the reunion, the defence minister firmly condemned the deliberated, unjustified and unprovoked war initiated by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, by mentioning that a coordinated effort is needed in order to consolidate regional cooperation in support of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.

At the end of the SEDM Meeting, the chiefs of national delegations adopted a Joint Statement which outlines the need to consolidate this regional cooperation format and develop the SEDM projects as well as the impact of the aggression war led by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its implications on the regional security situation.

As part of the SEDM Meeting, the Romanian official had bilateral meetings with his Moldovan, Bulgarian and Georgian counterparts, where he reviewed the status of military cooperation, by mentioning, at the same time, the need to continue the joint efforts with respect to the consolidation and enhancement of the collaboration and support relations with the three partner states, and reviewing the implications of the aggression war led by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The bilateral talks with his counterpart from the Republic of Moldova, Anatolie Nosatii, focused on the reiteration of the multi-disciplinary support provided by Romania and the commitment of continuing all projects and on-going programs whose development has already been approved. In this context, the partner requested counseling and support for the building of certain military capabilities that can participate in international missions.

The Romanian defence minister presented the availability in supporting such initiatives, including by augmenting the number of seats required to train the necessary personnel in Romania. The official also emphasized the need to continue the European integration efforts, desideratum for which Romania will continue supporting the Republic of Moldova.

During his meeting with the Bulgarian counterpart, Dimitar Stoianov, the officials reviewed the main bilateral cooperation projects, by focusing on the elements and actions that can contribute to its consolidation on short, medium and long-term. The consistence of the bilateral cooperation plan, the joint training activities, the multinational exercises, the exchange of personnel that man the multinational structures deployed on the territory of the other state and the enforcement of the enhanced Air Poling Missions in the field of the common frontier were the main topics discussed during the meeting.

Also, the two officials agreed upon the need to ensure reciprocal support with a view of promoting the common interests within the Euro-Atlantic and international structures, and mentioned the particular interest in finalizing, as soon possible as possible, the bilateral agreement the field of the war graves and commemorative works.

The meeting with the Georgian defence minister, Juansher Burchuladze, was a good opportunity to restate Romania's commitments with regard to the constant support that can be provided throughout the NATO integration process of the Georgian partner. During the talks, both parties emphasized the importance of the Black Sea in the current security context, as well as the need to enhance the bilateral defence cooperation.

The Press Office