Security in the Black Sea - "constant concern of NATO"

Security and stability in the Black Sea region is a constant concern of the North Atlantic Alliance – said Romanian Defense Minister, Gabriel Leş. Attitude of the Russian Federation, through illegal annexation of Crimea, support given to separatists in Ukraine and hybrid actions promoted by Moscow over the states in the region put NATO in the position of defining a series of defensive measures to reassure allied states and discourage any aggressive action, Defense Minister added.

Romania has actively participated in applying measures meant to help strengthen the collective defense of the eastern flank of the Alliance, Gabriel Leş stated, reminding of the two Commands on Romanian territory, NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) and Multinational Division South East (MNDSE), as well as Deveselu component, part of NATO missile defense system.

Minister Leş: We can not talk about security in the Black Sea without a solid transatlantic relationship, or a strong strategic partnership with the United States of America, as the foundation of Romania's security and defense. United States efforts in the region successfully facilitate NATO's advanced presence on the eastern flank.

Defense Minister has made these statements during an event on 22 March in Bucharest, aiming to launch campaign "Romania -15 years in NATO. 70 years since establishment of the North Atlantic Organization"."We are NATO" campaign was also launched, aiming to increase confidence of young people in NATO capacity to protect population and territory of Member States.

The Army remains the domestic institution that Romanians trust the most. According to an INSCOP opinion poll published on Friday, 22 March, 68% of Romanians say they have high and very high trust in this institution. The Church is ranked second, wth 55%. As regards the highest trust in international institutions, NATO is placed first (52.4%) and the EU (49.6%).

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei