Nicolae Ciuca discussed with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, the very serious threats that exist for Romania at the moment due to the war in Ukraine, and this is because our country needs the support of the alliance to ensure its security.
Together with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, we discussed the security threats and challenges in the Black Sea region, recognized as an area of strategic importance for the Alliance through the new Strategic Concept of NATO.
I emphasized the need for NATO to continue to carefully monitor the situation in the Black Sea, considering that this war shows, unfortunately, what Romania has been supporting for a long time: the strategic relevance of the Black Sea for NATO, for the major security interests of the Alliance.
The implementation of the decisions adopted in Madrid for the firm and sustainable consolidation of the allied position, including on the Eastern Flank and in our country, is crucial.
The creation of the Battle Group led by France, to which military contingents from the Netherlands and Belgium also contribute, represents a materialization of these decisions and a concrete proof of the solidarity and unity that characterizes our Alliance.
I also thanked our Allies on this occasion and appreciated the active role and substantial involvement of the Secretary General in the adoption of visionary decisions, in support of Euro-Atlantic security. I encouraged the continuation of these efforts in the following period, for the implementation of the adopted decisions, and I emphasized the stake of continuing support and assistance for strengthening Ukraine's resilience in the face of the threats it faces, as well as supporting the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.
Romania remains fully engaged in fulfilling all its obligations, as a responsible and active contributor to the promotion of Euro-Atlantic security and stability.
The increase in the defense budget, to 2,5% of GDP, is a concrete step in this direction, in the spirit of allied solidarity. And the decision for Romania to be the host state of the future NATO foreign ministerial meeting, which we will host in Bucharest at the end of November, represents the recognition of the active role, relevance and appreciation that our country enjoys within NATO.
