National Defence Minister Radu Miruță said on Wednesday that, during the NATO ministerial meeting, allies sent a “clear message” of solidarity with Romania and with the security of the Black Sea region, Agerpres reports.
“At today’s NATO ministerial meeting, Romania for the first time brought to the Alliance’s agenda the risks generated by the use of naval drones in the Black Sea region, against the backdrop of the increasingly aggressive and irresponsible behaviour of the Russian Federation near Allied territory,” Radu Miruță wrote on his Facebook page.
At the same time, Romania’s constant efforts to strengthen security in the Black Sea region were recognised, including through modernisation programmes and the acquisition of counter-drone defence capabilities, an essential component of the projects developed through the SAFE programme, he added.
According to the Defence Minister, after the signing of the SAFE contracts, which for the first time entail serious equipment for counter-drone warfare, “it is clear that Romania is now not asking for support before taking concrete steps itself to strengthen its defence”.
“As I also stressed last week at SHAPE, at the NATO Capabilities Conference, strengthening the Eastern Flank requires additional deterrence and defence measures tailored to the new threats, and now I have asked for temporary support until what we signed under SAFE is delivered to us. Allies sent a clear message of solidarity with Romania and with the security of the Black Sea region. Several allied states have said they are analysing, at national level, the possibility of additional capability contributions to strengthen the defence posture on the Eastern Flank. I also thank them for their openness and support,” Miruță said.
The minister announced that in the period ahead Romania will also be included in other allied initiatives aimed at strengthening security and ensuring a rapid response to emerging challenges in the region.
“This is the result of close cooperation with our allies and of the fact that Romania is seen as a serious, responsible and active partner within NATO,” Miruță stressed.
