Meetings between State Secretary Simona Cojocaru and representatives of the National Security Council and the US Department of State

State Secretary for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Simona Cojocaru, is paying a working visit to the United States of America, in Washington, over September 12-14.

On Wednesday, September 13, the meeting agenda included meetings at the White House with Jason Israel, Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council, and Jessica Lewis, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs in the Department of State.

During the meeting with Jason Israel, the Romanian official emphasized the constant and solid support offered by the United States of America within the process of strengthening security in the Black Sea region and modernizing the Romanian Armed Forces. Also, Simona Cojocaru thanked for the US solidarity demonstrated following the recent attacks conducted by the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian ports at the Danube. In this context, the officials highlighted that the F16 aircraft to be deployed to Romania by the US European Command (USEUCOM) will contribute to the consolidation of the deterrence and defense posture on the eastern border of Romania and NATO.

The State Secretary of presented the measures taken by the Romanian authorities following the discovery, on the national territory, of elements that could belong to drones similar to those used by the Russian Federation, stating that there was an ongoing investigation to establish their exact provenance and the results will be immediately made available to the Allies. At the same time, Simona Cojocaru mentioned the importance of continuing a constant dialogue on the security developments at the NATO border, both at bilateral and Allied levels.

The meeting agenda also included discussions on the importance of adopting the US Black Sea Security Strategy.

"We consider the Black Sea to be the epicenter of the Russian Federation's military actions, a region with an entire typology of threats. We welcome the Senate's decision to approve the Black Sea Security Act, as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which enjoyed bipartisan support. We consider that the development of this strategic document is extremely relevant", the Romanian State Secretary said.

Finally, the two officials discussed the importance of a continuous support provided to Ukraine, condemning the violent and increasingly frequent attacks on that country's civilian infrastructure.

During the meeting with Jessica Lewis, Assistant to the US Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, the officials discussed the latest developments regarding the security situation in the Black Sea region, with an emphasis on the recent attacks at the Romanian border.

"Over the recent weeks we have witnessed an unprecedented escalation of this war of aggression, very close to Romania's border. The Russian Federation's attacks against the Ukrainian Danube Ports of Reni, Ismail and Chilia are unacceptable," State Secretary Simona Cojocaru stated.

The status of rendering operational the F16 Pilot Training Center in Romania was also discussed, essential for training Romanian pilots, those from the Allied and partner states, as well as those from Ukraine. The MoND official specified that the Romanian authorities are making every effort so that this center become functional as soon as possible, the permanent coordination with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Lockheed Martin company being essential.

The two officials also addressed topics related to the prospects of bilateral defence cooperation, the increase of US security assistance provided to Romania, the developments in Africa and the Indo-Pacific region and the coordination for the upcoming NATO Summit from Washington, in 2024.

On the occasion of her visit to the USA, State Secretary Simona Cojocaru, accompanied by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security, Celeste Wallander, laid a wreath on Tuesday, September 12, at the Pentagon Monument dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The Press Office