Romania is a provider – and not just a consumer – of security within the NATO alliance, said U.S. Ambassador in Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec at the signing 920 million dollars Foreign Military Financing (FMF) direct loan agreement with Romania.
„We operate today in a fundamentally different strategic landscape in Europe, and Romania’s response has been nothing short of exemplary. You have shown the world what it means to be a responsible leader in uncertain times. Romania is a provider and not just a consumer of security within the NATO alliance,” said Kavalec.
The signing of the agreement was hosted by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and signed by U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director Michael Miller, and Romanian Finance Minister Marcel Bolos, in the presence of Defense Minister Angel Tilvar and Economy Minister Stefan-Radu Oprea as well as U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec.
The FMF loan underscores the strategic partnership between the United States and Romania, a strong NATO Ally along its eastern flank and an important force for political and economic stability in Europe, according to a press release published Wednesday by US Embassy in Bucharest.
The U.S. government is providing up to 60 million dollars in FMF grant funding toward the cost of this loan, which will help accelerate Romania’s major military modernization program, including purchases of U.S. defense equipment such as Abrams main battle tanks and coproduction of ammunition.
„Direct loans are a security cooperation tool reserved for only our most important security cooperation partners. Romania remains one of the highest priorities for DSCA”, said DSCA Director Miller. He noted his travel to Bucharest is a testament to U.S.-Romania defense cooperation. „We look forward to continuing our partnership on programs that this loan may support,” Director Miller said.
„The signing of this loan agreement in the defense field is a major moment in the evolution of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States of America and a solid argument of the trust and status that Romania enjoys in this relationship with our strategic ally. At the national level, we will focus in the upcoming period to develop new production capacities in Romania, create jobs for Romanians and become relevant again in the production of military equipment at the regional level,” said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, quoted in the press release.
Proceeds from the FMF direct loan will advance Romania’s military modernization effort across a wide range of capabilities, helping ensure that Romania can deter threats, defend its sovereignty, and contribute to NATO’s collective security for decades to come.
AGERPRES
