Defence Minister and the US Ambassador visited the 99th Deveselu Military Base

Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvăr, and the US Ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, visited  the 99th Deveselu Military Base, which hosts the Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System (AAMDS), on Tuesday, December 10th. 

The Chief of Air Force Staff, Lieutenant General Leonard Baraboi, and the Chief of Staff of the Joint Logistic Command, Brigadier General Răzvan Brătulescu, were also part of the Defence Minister’s delegation. 

The official schedule included a visit to the AADMS system, on which occasion Minister Angel Tîlvăr congratulated Captain-Commander Robert Foster on his recent appointment as commander of this system.

During the talks held onboard the system, Minister of National Defence emphasized the important role of the US Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System hosted by Romania within NATO's defensive architecture.

"The system operating at Deveselu is one of the most important allied capabilities that ensure Europe's anti-missile defence. The fact that Romania was chosen to host this advanced technology also represents a concrete manifestation of the Romanian-American strategic partnership’s soundness and the US commitment to strengthening the allied defence posture in the Black Sea region", Angel Tîlvăr said.

The Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Romania's commitment to strengthening NATO's defence posture and deterring any aggression against the allied territory.

"The unprecedented measures taken by Romania to modernize its defensive capabilities, through the procurement programs run over the recent years, have strengthened our country's posture as a security pole in the Black Sea region. Unfortunately, as a result of Russia's aggressive actions, the Black Sea has turned from a cooperation and free trade space into a war zone. Sea mines, drones or fragments of drones used in the illegal attacks on the Ukrainian port infrastructure, which have fallen on national territory, are security threats that we face directly. Romania's commitment, alongside our allies, to ensure security in our region is unwavering", Angel Tîlvăr said.

Minister of National Defence emphasized the importance of the defence and security dimension of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States to the national security equation of our country.

"Romania remains a responsible ally of the USA and a loyal partner throughout the process of strengthening regional security in the Black Sea region. We will continue to take actions to maintain this region as a topic of utmost importance on NATO's agenda", Angel Tîlvăr said.

The agenda of the visit to Deveselu also included a meeting with the American military soldiers, as well as with the Romanian military and civilian personnel who are assigned within the 99^th Military Base.

Angel Tîlvăr thanked the American soldiers deployed on mission to Romania and conveyed a message of appreciation from the Government of Romania for their contribution to the strengthening of security in the region.

"As the motto of this important military base states ("One Mission, One Team"), you and your Romanian colleagues make up a powerful team that has a special role important in the process of defending Europe against ballistic threats," Angel Tîlvăr said.

The main infrastructure modernization projects of the unit as well as the investment plans in the infrastructure administered in the residence garrison, Deveselu, and in the town of Caracal were reviewed by the officials during the talks held with the Romanian military and civilian personnel.

Minister Tîlvăr congratulated the military base staff on the level of performance achieved while fulfilling the undertaken objectives, showing that 99^th Deveselu Military Base represents an example of good practices in terms of cooperation with the allied forces.

"We wanted to visit you now, before the Winter Holidays, to assure you of the full consideration of the team I lead at the top of the ministry, as well as of our full support in providing all the resources necessary to continue your activities, which are of utmost importance to national and allied security. I wish you and your families peaceful Happy Holidays", Angel Tîlvăr said.

The Press Office