President Nicusor Dan argues that the withdrawal of some part of the US troops from Romania is „a gesture with a certain symbolism,” however it doesn’t affect national security.

Asked by journalists regarding some pieces of information which surfaced in the Ukrainian press according to which some US Republicans and Democrats want to block the decision to withdraw the US troops from Europe, Nicusor Dan responded that Romania is a safe country and the decision does not affect national security.

„It is a debate in which we are not going to interfere, a debate within the US Congress. What I want to say is that, in terms of security, Romania is a safe country. Regarding the relationship between us and the United States, things are straightforward. And furthermore, of course, it is a gesture with a certain symbolism, but in no way does this affect national security,” the president said at the end of the event launching the Save Romania Union (USR) MP Catalin Drula’s candidacy for the office of Bucharest Mayor.

President Nicusor Dan announced the visit to Romania of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

„You know that Mr Rutte is coming to Bucharest on Wednesday. (…) From the point of view of security, these very days we have a major NATO exercise on the Romanian territory (…), over 5,000 soldiers. As I said, the NATO Industry Forum is held once every two years, now it is taking place in Bucharest,” the president said.

Asked whether, during his visit to the White House, he would ask President Donald Trump to increase the number of US troops in Romania, Nicusor Dan mentioned that the goal of his visit to the US is to achieve a much stronger economic presence of US companies in our country.

„The most important aspect in the future relationship between the US and Romania is a much, much stronger economic presence of US companies in Romania. This is the major stake of the visit to the US,” he underscored. AGERPRES