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DefMin Dusa had a meeting with Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller
The bilateral military exercises, the presence of U.S. Navy ships in the port of Constanta and of U.S. troops at the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base, the American support offered to Romania under NATO's umbrella, are all proof that the Romanian-American partnership is highly valuable, functional and important for Romania, Defense Minister Mircea Dusa said at a meeting on Monday with U.S. officials.
According to a release of the Ministry of National Defense, at the meeting with Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller, and with senior officials of the U.S. State Department and the Department of Defense, respectively, Dusa stressed that the Romanian side wants the role of the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base turned permanent, extended and strengthened in the current security context.
Minister Dusa said that so far, both Romania and the United States have observed the deadlines in fulfilling the tasks agreed upon for rendering this hub fully operational; referring to the missile-intercepting defense base in Deveselu, he said that the activities aimed at ensuring the necessary infrastructure and communications systems will continue next year.
"We welcome once again the U.S. decision to stay firmly committed to helping ensure the security of our country and promoting NATO solidarity, which allowed the implementation of the allies reassurance package and the adjustment of strategic decisions to the new realities," said Minister Dusa.
Rose Gottemoeller termed the bilateral cooperation as very good, voicing her conviction that the numerous joint military exercises further enhance the cohesion of Romanian and American troops.
The U.S. officials also stressed the importance of the Deveselu military base for the development of the NATO missile defense capability through strengthening the transatlantic connection between the U.S. and its European allies, the Romanian Defense Ministry said.
Another topic approached was the security situation on NATO's eastern flank and its influence on regional security.
Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting with Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security for the US State Department
State Secretary for Strategic Affairs Bogdan Aurescu on Monday had a meeting with Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security for the US State Department, on which occasion he pleaded for consolidating the US and NATO presence in Romania, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the southern dimension of the Alliance's eastern flank.
According to a press release, Aurescu supported the necessity of the two countries committing for the European and Euro-Atlantic path of the eastern partners, with emphasis placed on the Republic of Moldova.
"The two officials have reviewed Romanian-American collaboration in the realm of defence against ballistic missiles and have approached aspects relating to the control of conventional weaponry. The discussions have revealed the firm commitment of Romania and the USA for the implementation of Phase 2 of the USA's European Phased Adaptive Approach - EPAA through the operationalization of the Anti-missile Facility of the Deveselu Military Base in 2015", the mentioned release shows.
The two dignitaries have noted the "excellent" level of bilateral dialogue in the realm of security and defence and have expressed joint concerns regarding the challenges to security noticeable on the eastern and southern flanks of NATO.
The two parties have exchanged views on the implications of the developments in Ukraine on the Black Sea region, including on the Republic of Moldova, as well as on the level of trans-Atlantic security.
In her turn, Rose Gottemoeller has reiterated the "special esteem" of the American side for the "substantial participation" of Romania in the missile defence system, showing that Romania is a solid partner of the United States in this project.
"The two officials have, also, exchanged opinions regarding the prospects of the conventional weaponry control regime in Europe. Furthermore, approached were aspects relating to increasing effectiveness of the Task Force for the implementation of the Joint Statement for the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the USA, but also the prospects of Romania's entry into the Visa Waiver program", the quoted source added.
State Secretary for Strategic Affairs Bogdan Aurescu conducted a meeting, on Monday, with Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security for the US State Department, on the sidelines of the Multinational Ballistic Missile Defence Conference and Exhibition, organized by the Missile Defence Agency of the US State Department and hosted by Romania. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Defense Policy Frank Rose.