Romania’s Chief of Defence Daniel Petrescu went on an official visit to the UK Thursday to Saturday at the invitation of his British counterpart Tony Radakin, Agerpres reports.

According to a press statement released by the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), the two defence officials discussed security, a joint commitment to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea basin and the developments and implications of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Special attention was paid to bilateral co-operation, namely to securing NATO’s eastern flank as part of strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.

MApN reports that the British military has supported the operationalisation of NATO structures deployed in Romania, contributing in particular to the operationalisation of the Headquarters Multinational Division South – East (HQ MND-SE). Also, the British Royal Air Force participated in strengthening the air policing service provided by the Romanian Air Force, and the Royal Navy participated, together with the Romanian Navy, in standing NATO maritime groups surveillance missions in the national and international waters of the Sea Black.

„The UK is an important ally and a strategic partner of Romania. We have similar approaches regarding security, including for the Black Sea region. We have the support of our British colleagues to establish the defensive capabilities necessary to achieve deterrence and defence capabilities. We will continue to seek solutions together and to train in a multinational framework,” Petrescu is quoted as saying in the MApN press statement.

In addition to meetings at the UK Ministry of Defence, Petrescu toured military bases, training bases and the Royal United Services Institute.

Agerpres