Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, had a meeting with the US Ambassador to Romania, HE Kathleen Kavalec, on Thursday, September 7, at the MoND Headquarters.

The agenda of the meeting included topics related to the security situation in the region, as well as aspects regarding bilateral defence cooperation, within the Romanian-American Strategic Partnership.

The two officials discussed, in the opening of the talks, the situation generated following the recent attacks of the Russian Federation against the Ukrainian Riverine Ports, in the proximity of the Romanian borders.

Romanian Minister of Defence appreciated the strong solidarity expressed by the Allies, after the briefing regarding the security situation made by Romania during the North Atlantic Council's yesterday session.

'We have taken additional security measures in the border area, by strengthening the monitorization and securing the airspace. As the NATO Secretary General said on Thursday, the Alliance has significantly increased its presence in the Black Sea region. For us, the safety of our citizens is paramount, especially of those living the communities from the vicinity of the Russian Federation's brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilian ports,' said Angel Tilvar.

Romania's position regarding the firm condemnation of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine was reiterated, as well as the efforts our country has been making to maintain stability in the region.

In her turn, Ambassador Kavalec showed that the United States is concerned about the security situation in the Black Sea region, in the cotext generated by the illegal attacks constantly carried out by Russia on the Ukrainian port infrastructure to the Danube.

Kathleen Kavalec indicated that the US government remains fully committed to consolidating Romania's and NATO's capabilities in order to defend and deter any aggression against common allied territory on the eastern flank.

Ambassador Kavalec conveyed the desire of the United States to continue providing assistance to Romania for a more effective protection of the national territory, including by soon deploying, to Romania, some combat aircraft of the US Air Force to augment the NATO Air Policing Missions.

Regarding the state of bilateral military relations, the Minister of National Defence reiterated the fact that the Romania-USA Strategic Partnership continues to be an essential pillar for the strengthening of NATO's defence and deterrence capacity, Romania benefiting from the strongest security guarantees in history.

In this context, Minister Tilvar thanked the American party for the support given in the promotion of the F-16 Pilot Training Center project in Romania, which will have an important contribution to developing the Romanian pilots' skills in the operation of F-16 aircraft in performing a varied spectrum of strategic missions.

'By rendering this center operational within the 86th 'Lieutenant aviator Gheorghe Mociornita' Air Force Base, Romania will offer a high-quality training environment, with access to state-of-the-art technical resources not only to the Romanian pilots, but also to those from the Allied and partner states, including Ukraine', the Minister of National Defence stated.

Expressing their hope that the steps made to render operational the F-16 Pilot Training Center will be completed in a short time, the two officials having agreed to participate together in its inauguration.

The Press Office