Defence Minister’s meetings with representatives of the American Institutes for Security and Defence Research and Analysis

As part of his official visit to the United States of America, Minister Angel Tîlvãr had a series of meetings on Friday, March 31, with representatives of famous American Institutes for Security and Defence Research and Analysis, such as the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), the Heritage Foundation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Atlantic Council.

The meeting with CEPA representatives also included a round table with representatives of the research community from Washington DC, considering the focus of the academic environment on the security situation at the Black Sea. Also, the officials approached the status and outlook of the Ukraine war, the way NATO has responded in support of Ukraine, lessons learned and ways to increase Allied support for Ukraine. Also, the decisions of the Madrid NATO Summit, namely the measures of strengthening defence and deterrence on NATO's Eastern flank and their implementation in the perspective of the upcoming Vilnius NATO Summit were also brought to attention.

The Romanian official reiterated the importance of maintaining Allied solidarity and implementing all decisions taken by the Allied leaders on the occasion of the Madrid Summit, the strengthening of NATO's deterrence and defence posture at the Black Sea being equally highlighted by the importance of the decisions aiming at providing concrete support to the partners in the region (Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia) in the perspective of the upcoming Vilnius Summit.

During the discussions with the representatives of the Heritage Foundation and with those of the CSIS and the Atlantic Council, the officials emphasized the symbolic moment of the visit that marks 30 years since the signing of the State Partnership Program between the Romanian Armed Forces and Alabama National Guard and the importance of the Strategic Partnership for the modernization of the Romanian Armed Forces.

The security situation generated by the aggression war launched by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and the impact on the Euro-Atlantic security were also on the discussion agenda, the officials pointing out the importance of the development of a US Strategy at the Black Sea. In this context, CSIS experts presented to the MoND delegation the conclusions of the study "The Inhospitable Sea: Toward a New US Strategy for the Black Sea Region" to the MoND delegation.

The Press Office