Defence Minister’s meeting with the President of the European Parliament

On Wednesday, March 4, Minister of National Defence, Radu Miruță, had a meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in Brussels. 

During the talks, the Romanian official highlighted the importance of strengthening the defence dimension at European Union level, stressing the need to ensure adequate allocations through the future Multiannual Financial Framework to support the financing of the European defence industry. The Ministry of National Defence advocated for a consolidated approach at European level in order to simplify defence procedures and instruments, so that member states can access dedicated European funds more efficiently. 

A topic of interest of the dialogue was the importance of the SAFE initiative (Security Action for Europe) for Romania, both from the perspective of consolidating the defence industrial and technological base, and of increasing resilience in the Black Sea region. 

The two officials also addressed Romania's proposal that, for a continuation of the SAFE program, a regulation should be designed that would include the exact mapping of existing industrial facilities and their direct inclusion into the program. 

At the same time, Minister Miruță and President Metsola discussed the danger of disinformation and the technical versus political solutions to this scourge.

In view of the security developments in the Eastern Neighborhood, Minister Miruță reiterated the importance of maintaining increased attention to the Black Sea region, in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, as well as the broader implications generated by the instability in other regions, including the Middle East. The Romanian official stressed the need for a coherent and overall approach at the European and Euro-Atlantic level, in close coordination with NATO.

Today's discussions reconfirmed the strategic relevance of NATO's Eastern Flank for Euro-Atlantic security.  Minister of National Defence emphasized Romania's consistent contribution to measures to strengthen the allied deterrence and defence posture, as well as its firm commitment to increasing defence investments. 

With reference to the support provided to Ukraine, the Romanian official reiterated Romania's consistent support for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the importance of continuing humanitarian, financial and military assistance, as well as support for Kiev's European path. 

The meeting reconfirmed the joint commitment to strengthening European security and defence, in an international context marked by complex and dynamic challenges.

The Press Office