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President Iohannis: it is important to increase public defence spending
President Klaus Iohannis says it is important for the pledge to increase public defence spending to be met, irrespective of political context, adding that Romania has some priorities to fulfill this year related to the National Defence Strategy, namely coming up with an implementation plan and a guide and unifying national security legislation.
"Romania has moved on to a next level in its security policy, a stage where its commitments so far are strengthened, enshrined and extended, while new thought and action guidelines are being added. Once Parliament has approved the National Defence Strategy, Romania defined its direction and future before its external partners as well as its own citizens. We are not considering national security today as some abstract and remote matter, but as a matter with impact on the daily life of each of us. I have said that the strategy is a public declaration of Romania as nation and state. That is why it is important for our next demarches to be the actual expression of the declaration. Without consistent and coherent action, without promises honoured, without strict management and without coordination among the state organisations, we will be left with good intentions and half measures only. We all know that, as we have seen it for long," Iohannis told a conference on the National Defence Strategy held Thursday by the Academy of National Security Sciences.
He added that the current circumstances require some priorities being followed this year, all of which entail dialogue and partnership among various organisations.
"Firstly, the National Defence Strategy will have to be pursued, coupled with an action plan at the level of all organisations with attributes in the area that are included in the scope of the strategy. For implementing the strategy, a guide will also be needed to secure unitary approach and interpretation and rule out ambiguities. Secondly, we will have to contemplate unifying, correlating and updating the relevant legislation. That part is vested with the political parties and Parliament, but I, as the President of the country, am interested in Romania getting a clear and coherent legislative framework adjusted for the national security realities. In the 21st century, Romania can no longer afford to operate without rigour, and that starts with defining legislation. Last but not least, I believe it is essential for the commitment to increase public defence spending to be met, irrespective of the political context or any their circumstances. Consolidating the strategic partnership with the US, strengthening Romania's profile inside NATO and the EU as well as intensifying regional cooperation are some national security objectives affirmed by the strategy," said Iohannis.
He added that Romania has committed itself to providing security in the region, supporting stabilisation, reform, democratisation and integration in the area, as well as promoting a sure, free and prosperous Europe not just inside NATO and the European Union, but also in their neighbourhoods.
He said the Academy of National Security Sciences is the youngest academic organisation for scientific research into national security sciences.
Iohannis insisted that Romania should not be only a security provider, but also a provider of ideas about security and visions of how security should be organised in the 21st century.