Bilateral meeting between Minister of National Defence and his South-Korean counterpart

Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvãr, had a working meeting with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Korea, Won-sik Shin, on Wednesday, June 19th, at the MOND Headquarters, on the occasion of his official visit to Romania.

The bilateral discussions agenda covered issues related to the international security situation and the prospects for bilateral defence cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Korea, in the context of the signing by the two ministers of the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Korea on defence cooperation, this year, in April, in Seoul.

During the talks, the Romanian Minister of Defence briefly presented the main threats and risks in the Black Sea and Western Balkans regions against the background of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, the Romanian official emphasized Romania's multidimensional support for Ukraine, including in terms of ensuring the transit of Ukrainian grains to the global market, as well as our country's efforts in implementing the Allied measures in the region.

"Profiling the Black Sea as an area of strategic interest for democratic states represents an important objective of the bilateral strategic dialogue", Minister Tîlvãr emphasized.

With reference to bilateral cooperation, Angel Tîlvãr highlighted the openness of the Romanian party in identifying concrete cooperation projects that would add value to both states and contribute to strengthening the bilateral relation, noting that the cooperation relations between Romania and the Republic of Korea at defence industry level can be a good example to be replicated in other defence areas.

The Romanian official also welcomed the designation of Hanwha Aerospace Co. Ltd. Company as the winner of the competitive procedure for the purchase by Romania of three battalion-level 155mm howitzer systems, including 54 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, support equipment and an initial amount of specific ammunition.

In conclusion, the Romanian official expressed his willingness to continue the political-military dialogue, including at the level of experts, in order to identify concrete projects that can be developed in the future, within the framework provided by the defence cooperation agreement.

The official visit agenda of the South Korean minister included official meetings with the Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, the Chairman of the Committee for Defence, Public Order and National Security of the Romanian Senate, Senator Nicoleta Pauliuc, and the Presidential Advisor and Head of National Security Department, Ion Oprișor.

Also, the two defence ministers laid wreaths at the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb in "Carol I" Park.

The Press Office