Defence Minister’s meetings with representatives of the National Security Council and the US Air Force’s Staff

As part of his visit to the United States of America, Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvãr, had, on Thursday, March 30, in Washington DC, a meeting with the coordinator for Defense Policy and Arms Control within the National Security Council, Cara Abercrombie and, on Friday, March 31, with the Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force, Kristyn Jones.

In the discussions at the National Security Council, the officials addressed topics of common interest regarding the importance of the Romania-US Strategic Partnership, the regional security situation and the need for a Black Sea Strategy, as well as Romania's efforts regarding the multidimensional support provided to Ukraine.

Minister Tîlvãr welcomed the celebration of 30 years since the signing of the State Partnership Program between the Romanian Armed Forces and Alabama National Guard and reiterated the excellent relations within the Romanian-American Strategic Partnership in the field of defence.

During the discussions regarding the support provided to Ukraine, Minister of National Defence highlighted Romania's multi-dimensional efforts in support of Ukraine and our country's commitment to continue this effort as long as necessary.

Regarding the regional security situation and the increase of cooperation in the Black Sea region, the Romanian official thanked the United States for the consistent contribution with forces and capabilities deployed on the Eastern flank of the Alliance, including in Romania, as a proof of the United States' commitment to consolidating the Allied deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern flank.

During the meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force, the topics approached were the importance of security in the Black Sea region and the presence of US forces in Romania, the increase of bilateral cooperation with a view of developing the air force’s capabilities as well as topics related to the upcoming Vilnius NATO Summit.

Minister of National Defence emphasized the benefits of the Strategic Partnership on the defense dimension and the excellent relationship between the Romanian Armed Forces and the Alabama National Guard within the State Partnership Program.

In this context, he thanked for the additional contribution with forces and capabilities deployed by the United States to Romania, in the context of the Allied and the Washington Administration decisions regarding the consolidation of the deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern flank, against the background of the Ukraine war. The Romanian official reiterated the determination of the Romanian side regarding the support provided to the US forces deployed to our country.

With reference to the increase of bilateral cooperation for the development of the Romanian Air Force’s capabilities, the Minister of National Defence mentioned that Romania's decision to allocate 2.5% of GDP for defence expenditures will allow the continuation of efforts made to modernize the Romanian Armed Forces’ capabilities and the Romanian Air Force’s on-going procurement programs.

In the perspective of the Vilnius NATO Summit, the Romanian official mentioned the relevance that the security situation in the Black Sea region must occupy on the discussion agenda, the importance of making concrete decisions to continue providing support to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and the implementation of the decisions made at the Madrid NATO Summit.

The Press Office