NATO’s eastern flank and Romanian-American endowment programs were the topics discussed on Thursday by the Minister of National Defense, Ionut Mosteanu, with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, member of the Armed Forces Committee and the Intelligence Committee of the U.S. Senate.

According to the Ministry of National Defense (MApN), the discussions, which took place at the ministry’s headquarters, aimed at strengthening the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States in the field of defense, in the context of security challenges in the Black Sea region and recent developments on NATO’s eastern flank.

The two officials highlighted the importance of the American military presence in Romania as an essential element for the Alliance’s deterrence and defense posture in southeastern Europe.

During the meeting, Minister Mosteanu stressed the relevance of the decisions adopted at the NATO Summit in The Hague, held last week, for the coherence and efficiency of the Alliance’s defense posture. In this context, Romania’s role as a reliable ally was highlighted, with active contributions to regional security and to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

„The security of the Black Sea region is closely linked to Euro-Atlantic security. The Strategic Partnership with the United States, based on trust, interoperability and solid commitments, is a pillar of national defense and regional stability,” the Romanian official said, according to a release.

During the discussions, bilateral cooperation in the field of modernization of the armed forces was also addressed, with an emphasis on the ongoing endowment programs with the American partner. The Romanian side presented the significant progress made in this area and reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to continue investing in modern capabilities, compatible with NATO standards.

At the same time, the importance of close coordination between Romania and the United States in the field of defense, including in managing hybrid threats in the wider Black Sea region, was emphasized.

AGERPRES