Fifor and Mattis meeting at the Pentagon

Security developments in the Black Sea and the Western Balkans, stage of application of decisions taken at the NATO summit in July, participation in the fight against terrorism, bilateral cooperation and presence of US troops on the Romanian territory have been among issues discussed at the Pentagon on September 26 by Romanian Defense Minister Mihai Fifor and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, as part of the official visit Minister Fifor made in the United States during 24-28 September.

Goal of this official visit was to continue the excellent dialogue between the Romanian minister and his American counterpart initiated a year ago, on the occasion of Mihai Fifor’s visit to Washington. Dialogue was increased in Brussels during various NATO defense ministerials, Romanian Ministry of Defense (MApN) states in a press release.

Agenda also included aspects related to the cooperation in the field of defense and the major procurement programs established together with the American partner.

During the talks, the two high-ranking officials emphasized the dynamics of the implementation of the Strategic Partnership between Romanian and the United States, as well as the intensified cooperation in the field of defense, as essential elements for the security and stability of Romania and the region it is located in. In this context, Romania’s intense cooperation with its strategic Partner was highlighted, both at bilateral level and within the Alliance.

Regarding NATO cooperation, the two officials exchanged views on the important role that Romania is prepared to assume on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance and the Black Sea region. On this occasion, Mihai Fifor reiterated that Romania is a stable and credible ally that fulfills all its commitments and responsibilities arising from NATO membership. In this context, James Mattis underlined Romania's important role in the Black Sea region.

Minister Fifor highlighted that Romania is one of the few Allied states that meets all the 3’Cs of NATO burden sharing principle: cash – through the budget allocated to defense budget, capabilities and contributions. First of all, the allocation of 2% of the GDP for defense expenditures in 2018, for the second consecutive year, represents a major national goal. Secondly, the development of capabilities required to counteract the threats against the Allied security is achieved by means of the ambitious acquisition program strategy of the Romanian Armed Forces. And thirdly, the solidarity of the national commitments is confirmed by Romania’s significant contributions in projecting security and stability, among which the most important are the troops’ participations in Afghanistan, as part of NATO Resolute Support, and in Iraq, recently initiated at the July Brussels Summit, as well as Romania’s contribution to anti-ISIL Coalition in the fight against terrorism.

Taking into account the fact that Romania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months starting with January 2019, Defence Minister Mihai Fifor emphasized the fact that the Romanian Government pays a special importance to consolidating the Euro-Atlantic connection: “We consider that we cannot discuss about a European defense without the trans-Atlantic connection. Moreover, in the BREXIT context, Romania does not believe in building European Defense without a strong trans-Atlantic relation”, Minister Fifor stated.

During his official visit at the Pentagon, Defense Minister Mihai Fifor participated in a ceremony to commemorate the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks’ victims by laying a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial from the Pentagon, in the presence of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, John Rood.

Source:RRA, MApN Press Office