Romania-USA-the Netherlands Trilateral talks

As part of the inauguration of the European F-16 Training Center at the 86th Air Base, Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvãr, had a trilateral meeting on Monday, November 13, with the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, and the Ambassador of the United States to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec.

The talks between the three dignitaries focused on the role that the European F-16 Training Center will play within the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

During the talks, the Netherlands and the United States of America restated their deep commitment to strengthening the Allied defence posture and deterring any aggression in the Black Sea region, by emphasizing Romania's role as a pillar of stability and, and at the same time, as security provider in the region.

"Romania can be considered a catalyst, a regional hub, which integrates allied efforts in order to firmly and quickly respond to the specificity of the regional security environment. The European F-16 Training Center, a first in the European allied space, is a model of collaboration and solidarity between the Allies and their partner states", Minister Tîlvãr stated.

Minister Ollongren thanked Romania for its decision to host the pilot training facility and noted the speed with which Romania managed to integrate all the technical, logistical and legal measures between the two ministries and the Lockheed Martin company, as the manufacturer of the F-16 aircraft, and of the training infrastructure.

In this context, the Romanian official pointed out the special role of the 130 Dutch engineer specialists who contributed to rendering operational the Collective Defence Battle Group on Romanian territory, led by France.

Ambassador Kavalec highlighted the multiple positive aspects associated with the establishment and operation of the European F-16 Training Center, both for Romania and for the allies and Ukraine.

In his turn, Minister of National Defence thanked for the US significant contribution to the security of the Black Sea region and Romania, where more than 3,000 American soldiers are deployed to various bases.

Minister Tîlvãr emphasized the essential role of the USA in supporting Ukraine, by initiating and coordinating Ukraine Contact Group, and at the same time welcomed the steps taken by the Netherlands and Denmark, as co-chairs of the International F-16 Coalition.

The Press Office