Defence Minister’s meeting with the the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs

Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, had a meeting with James O'Brien, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on Tuesday, January 14th, at the MoND headquarters. The talks were attended by the US Ambassador to Bucharest, HE Kathleen Kavalec, respectively the Deputy Chief of the Department for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Lieutenant General Mihai Iancu and the Chief of the General Directorate for Armaments, Lieutenant General Teodor Incicaș.

During the meeting, the officials addressed topics of strategic interest for the two parties, a particular attention being given to the consolidation of the Romanian-American Strategic Partnership, the support provided to Ukraine, as well as to the adaptation of the two countries and NATO to the security challenges generated by the current context in the Black Sea region.

In his speech, Minister Angel Tîlvăr emphasized the crucial role of the Black Sea region in ensuring European and transatlantic security, in the context of the Russian Federation's continued war of aggression in Ukraine. The Romanian official pointed out our country's firm commitment to NATO's collective security and expressed his appreciation for the United States’ significant contribution to ensuring the security of the Alliance's eastern flank.

"The United States’ active presence in Romania and the Black Sea region is vital for the European and transatlantic security. Romania remains dedicated to enhancing cooperation in the field of security and defence, through continuous investments in modern capabilities that will ensure an effective response to current and future security challenges," Minister Angel Tîlvăr stated.

Minister of National Defence also emphasized the importance of the joint Romanian-American military exercises, which significantly contribute to improving interoperability and strengthening defence on NATO's eastern flank. At the same time, he highlighted the essential role of the American military presence in Romania, considering it a pillar of regional stability and a key element in ensuring the reaction capacity of the North Atlantic Alliance.

The Press Office