The minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, had a working meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Won-sik Shin, on Wednesday, during which the two officials discussed the main threats in the Black Sea and Western Balkans regions in the wake of the war in Ukraine, as well as cooperation in the defence industry.

According to a press release sent by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN), Minister Tilvar briefly presented the main threats and risks in the Black Sea and Western Balkans regions in the context of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, the Romanian official highlighted Romania’s „multidimensional support” for Ukraine, including ensuring the transit of Ukrainian grain to the global market, as well as our country’s efforts to implement NATO measures in the region.

„The Black Sea becoming an area of strategic interest for democratic states is an important objective of the bilateral strategic dialogue,” Minister Tilvar stressed, as quoted in the press release.

As regards bilateral cooperation, Angel Tilvar stressed the Romanian side’s openness to identifying concrete cooperation projects that would bring added value to both countries and contribute to strengthening bilateral relations, noting that „cooperation relations between Romania and the Republic of Korea in the defence industry can be a good example to replicate in other areas of defence”.

The Romanian official also welcomed the appointment of Hanwha Aerospace Co. Ltd. as the winner of the procedure for the purchase by Romania of three 155 mm calibre battalion-level howitzer systems, including 54 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, support equipment and an initial quantity of specific ammunition, the MApN press release added.

The South Korean minister’s official programme included meetings with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Nicoleta Pauliuc, chair of the Romanian Senate’s Committee on Defence, Public Order and National Security, and Ion Oprisor, presidential advisor and head of the National Security Department.

At the same time, the two defence ministers laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol I Park, the source mentioned.

AGERPRES