We are ready to contribute in the increase of the European Union capability in managing the emergent risks in the Southern and Eastern Europe stated Minister of National Defense, Teodor Atanasiu, at the end of the first day debates of the Informal Reunion of Defense Ministers from the European Union member states occurred in Innsbruck, Austria between March 6 and 7, 2006.

The Romanian minister of National Defense declared the approaches for the improve of cooperation between the EU member states in crisis management operations will contribute in the increase of coherence of response to this type of situations and Atanasiu stressed once again the necessity to consolidate the EU-NATO strategic partnership in crisis management.

Speaking about the operations deployed by the European Union, Teodor Atanasiu stressed: Romania is supporting the preservation of the EU engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our country will continue to be an active presence in ALTHEA operation. And this is why Romania's contribution in this mission was already increased.

As the military European capacity, minister of National Defense declared that the Romanian part already defined the offer of forces set at the European Union disposal and harmonized with the package set at NATO disposal including capacities from all the services of the armed forces.

This moment we are engaged in increasing the project of the tactical combat groups and this approach is supporting the EU efforts in reaching the final operational capacity stated Teodor Atanasiu. In this respect, we started the process of ending the juridical framework necessary for establishing the Greek-Bulgarian-Romanian-Cypriot combat group set at the European Union disposal in the second term of the year 2007.

Minister of Defense also appreciated the European Union Strategy for Africa can generate the premises of economic development and security on this Continent. In this context, Atanasiu stated, I am supporting the Union plans for Africa and the cooperation with the UN and other organizations implied in this process.

Tomorrow, March 7, minister Teodor Atanasiu has meetings with the Austrian minister of Defense, Gunter Platter and the officials from the European Agency of Defense.

MoND Press Office