Defence Minister’s meeting with the Head of European Commission Representation in Romania

 

On Thursday, March 13, Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvăr, had a meeting, at the MoND headquarters, with the Head of the European Commission Representation in Romania, Ramona Chiriac.

 

The dialogue focused on the main recent events at European level, including the European Commission's new plans for funding the defence sector, but also on the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council, held on March 6.

 

The two officials also discussed the proposal of the Chairman of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, submitted on March 4, 2025, within the European Response Plan - ReArm Europe, with regard to the financial leverage available to the EU to help member states quickly and significantly increase defence spending, in the short and long term.

 

In this context, the European Commission's initiative to recommend to the Council the activation, in a coordinated manner, of the national derogation clause pursuant to the Stability and Growth Pact was welcomed.

 

"In recent years, during the EU Defence Ministers’ Meetings, as well as at bilateral level, we have consistently supported the exclusion of defence spending from the calculation of deficit. It is a good measure, which will boost the Romanian Armed Forces’ modernization process. For us, it is very important that these projects involve technology transfer to Romania, in order to build the national defence industry and create jobs. We are very attentive and involved in all discussions at European level," Minister Tîlvăr stated. 

 

The two officials also addressed the subject of the development of the White Paper on the future of European Defence, the strategic document that offers a new perspective on how the European Union relates to the security and defence dimension. Minister Angel Tîlvăr highlighted that, in this complex process, cooperation with transatlantic partners must remain a priority for European security.

 

The Press Office