Defence Minister’s meeting with the US Secretary of Defense

Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvãr, had a meeting with the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, on Thursday, April 30, in the context of his official visit paid to the United States of America.

His visit to the USA restates the excellent defence cooperation relations within the US-Romanian Strategic Partnership and provides an opportunity for the discussion of the main common topics of interest. The discussion agenda of the two officials focused on topics related to the evolution of the regional security situation in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression war in Ukraine, with emphasis on concrete ways of enhancing bilateral military cooperation and the cooperation in the Black Sea, the continuous presence of the US forces in Romania and the Black Sea region, respectively on the contribution to the Allied deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern flank.

During the talks, the Romanian dignitary pointed out the excellent relations in the field of defence, within the extended framework of the US-Romanian Strategic Partnership.

“My visit to the United States comes at a symbolic moment, as we celebrate 30 years of Partnership with Alabama State, an important milestone for the development of an excellent Strategic Partnership relationship. Along with strengthening Romania's profile within the North-Atlantic Alliance and the European Union, the enhancement of the Strategic Partnership with the USA represents an important component of our country's foreign and security policy”, minister Tîlvãr stated at the beginning of the meeting.

Minister of National Defence pointed out Romania’s efforts in support of Ukraine, along the ones made by the community of the democratic states.

“I commend the outstanding results achieved at the level of support for Ukraine under the leadership of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, within the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Romania, in its capacity as an EU and NATO member state, has provided multidimensional support to Ukraine and will continue to do so as long as necessary”, the Romanian official added.

The Romanian official also referred to the regional security situation and the enhancement of cooperation, appreciating that a Black Sea strategy is needed, as well as a consolidation of the Allied presence in this region and, implicitly, in Romania. In this context, he thanked the United States for the consistent contribution with forces and capabilities deployed on the Eastern flank of the Alliance, including in Romania.

“We believe there is an urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-domain US-led strategy at the Black Sea, by involving key actors in the region. This will create a more robust policy built around US and NATO consistent and persistent presence as well as an active US leadership in the region. The US forces’ robust presence in Romania, augmented last year by the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, is another proof of solidarity of what the United States' commitment to Black Sea security means”, the defence minister stated.

In the light of the upcoming Vilnius NATO Summit from July 2023, the Romanian official mentioned the need to implement the decisions adopted last year, during the Madrid NATO Summit, make consistent decisions regarding the Black Sea security, as well as identify some substantial measures in support of Ukraine and the partners from the region, such as the Republic of Moldova.

“Today, Romania is a solid, reliable ally, a state that demonstrates ambition, political will, as well as the ability to concretely and credibly contribute to the implementation of the common future priorities, including by firmly assuming the security provider role in the Black Sea region”, minister Angel Tîlvãr stated.

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The visit of the Romanian official marks the celebration of 30 years since the signing of the partnership between the Romanian Armed Forces and the Alabama National Guard. In this context, the Minister of National Defence will have a series of meetings in Washington DC and in Alabama State with US officials of the Department of Defense, National Security Council, the Governor of Alabama State and members of the Congress, as well as with representatives of some renowned research and analysis institutes in the field of security studies. The minister will also participate in events organized to mark 30 years of partnership with the Alabama National Guard, in Montgomery.

The Press Office