Romanian Defense Minister: Strengthening EU-NATO Strategic Partnership

Defense ministers from the EU Member States, gathered at the beginning of February in Bucharest to analyze the prospects to implement a strategy for EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), a meeting that has been organized by the current Romanian EU Council Presidency.

At the end of the meeting, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and Romanian Defense Minister Gabriel Leş, had a joint press conference.

RRA Reporter Cătălin Purcaru: Head of European Diplomacy Federica Mogherini urged EU Defense Ministers to finalize an agreement in the coming weeks to allow Operation SOPHIA, EU naval mission in the Mediterranean, to counteract trafficking in human beings. Federica Mogherini also underlined that this mission is one of the most successful military operations of the EU.

Federica Mogherini: In order to continue its key efforts in the Mediterranean, this operation must be supported by consensus, with the agreement of EU Member States. As a result of this operation, arrivals of illegal migrants decreased by more than 80%. Traffickers have been arrested, more than 400 craft used by these traffickers have been eliminated, this is why we have invited EU Ministers to reach an agreement in the coming weeks.

RRA Reporter: According to Romanian Minister for National Defense, Gabriel Leş, military mobility requires common action, coherence and coordination, both at national level and between the North Atlantic Alliance and the EU.

Minister of Defense Gabriel Leş: Romania will pay special attention to implementation of Action Plan of Military Mobility, following a coordinated and pragmatic approach at EU level. In this context, transport infrastructure becomes essential, so we have highlighted the need to harmonize civilian and military requirements and the adequacy of specific rules and procedures. Of course, the legal framework will need to be adapted as soon as possible.

RRA Producer: Special Guest of the meeting of European Defense Ministers was Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, who also, while in Bucharest, had a meeting at the Cotroceni Palace with President Klaus Iohanis. After talks, Jens Stoltenberg said the European Union's defense efforts are complementary and not competing with NATO, underlining that the Alliance remains the cornerstone of European security. Romania firmly supports the strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliance and is willing to complete the Army endowment programs, President Klaus Iohannis said.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei