In a statement issued on Romania’s anniversary of 18 years of NATO membership, the country’s president Klaus Iohannis underlined the importance of the status of NATO member, which, he said, is „all the more evident in the current special security context generated by the illegal military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine”. Iohannis also said in his statement that this aggression once more highlighted the Alliance’s capacity to adapt quickly and act promptly and efficiently, owing to the cohesion between member states and unified decision making. He went on to say that Romania has been and continues to be deeply involved in NATO’s adaptation, both through substantial contributions to the reflection processes taking place in an allied framework and through constant efforts on a national level.
President Iohannis reiterated that Romania would act towards strengthening its defence capacity, including by increasing defence spending from 2 to 2.5% of GDP, the modernisation of its forces, adaption to the legislative framework in the field of security and defence and other appropriate measures. Bucharest will also continue to promote the partnership between NATO and the European Union, and will remain a strong ally, a provider of security in the Black Sea region and a determined supporter of the consolidation of the trans-Atlantic relationship, as well as firmly committed to the fundamental values of the North Atlantic Alliance, the Romanian president also said.
Prime minister Nicolae Ciucă said NATO is the strongest security guarantee for Romania in what he said was a „dangerous context created by the Russian aggression in Ukraine”. The appreciation expressed over time from the other allied states confirms the trust enjoyed by Romania within the Alliance and the high level of training, commitment and courage of Romanian army professionals, Ciucă also pointed out.
The defence minister Vasile Dîncu also issued a statement on Romania’s anniversary of 18 years of NATO membership saying his country would increase its arms production, including drones and mini-submarines in a few years’ time. „We will manufacture drones in Romania, as well as mini-submarines, weapons and some armoured vehicles”, he said, adding that maintenance units for F16 aircraft already exist, such as those in Bacău, in the east of the country. The minister said Parliament will probably approve next year an increase in GDP defence spending and that the strategic document Romania’s Army 2040 already includes a list of acquisitions. (Leyla Cheamil, Radio Romania International)
