Romania calls for a new US-led NATO strategy in the Black Sea region. According to the Romanian Defense Minister, NATO’s presence in the Black Sea region needs to be increased and a new overall strategy in the region is needed, in which the United States of America would take the lead.
According to a statement from the Romanian Ministry of Defense (MAPN) on Friday, Romanian Minister Ángel Tilvar spoke about this in Washington the day before, when his American partner Lloyd Austin received him at the Pentagon.
The meeting discussed the crisis in Ukraine, the security of the region, the presence of the United States Armed Forces, and strengthening NATO’s defense and deterrence capabilities.
“We believe there is an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy for the Black Sea, led by the United States, involving key players in the region. It will also strengthen our policy if it is based on the consistent and persistent presence of NATO and the United States, if America plays a leading role in it.”
the Romanian Defense Minister said in a statement in Washington.
Tilvar added that the United States had already demonstrated its commitment to the Black Sea region last year when its troops stationed in Romania were assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. She replenished her rifle brigade with soldiers.
From the NATO summit in Vilnius in June, Romania looks forward to the implementation of last year’s resolutions of the Madrid summit on the strategic importance of the Black Sea and decisions to support partners in the region – Ukraine and Moldova.
Tilvar stressed that on the symbolic occasion of his visit to Washington, an agreement on strategic partnership was concluded between Romania and the United States. This happened in the year of his 30th birthday.
After the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ukraine, Romania decided to increase its defense spending from 2023 to 2.5% of GDP (from the previous 2%). According to a 2017 decision by the Romanian Supreme Defense Council, the Ministry of Defense in Bucharest has allocated more than $10 billion for military development in recent years, acquiring mostly American-made military equipment – Patriot anti-missile systems, serial HIMARS missile launchers and F-16 fighter jets.
Source: eadaily