Romania has shown impressive resilience of its democracy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated on Monday within a joint news conference with President Nicusor Dan held at the „Mihail Kogalniceanu” Military Base.

„Nicusor, it is a pleasure to be in Romania for the first time since your inauguration. Over the past months, Romania has shown impressive resilience of its democracy and its institutions, you have successfully countered attempts of disinformation and manipulation. You are very strong, ironclad an reliable supporters of Ukraine and Moldova. Intimidations you resist, intimidations that are usually part of Moscow’s playbook, but this only makes our resilience stronger,” she showed.

Ursula von der Leyen referred to the security situation and the need of a surge in Defence investments.

Thus, she brought to mind the package approved at the Community level worth 800 billion EUR by 2030, one part of this package being the SAFE instrument, worth 150 billion EUR, to which 19 countries subscribed, including Romania.

„In the visit on the Naval Base, it was for me very interesting to see the first ideas for projects of the Navy, for the potential use of the SAFE loans,” the President of the European Commission said.

The Head of the European Commission arrived in Romania on Monday and she was welcomed by President Nicusor Dan at the „Mihai Kogalniceanu” Military Base.

The two high officials visited the „Regele Ferdinand” Frigate.

Since Friday, the head of the European Commission has visited Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria.

According to the European Commission’s Representation in Romania, her visits highlighted the EU support for the member states which are confronted with challenges because they have shared borders with Russia or Belarus.

AGERPRES