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CSAT decides to increase percentage of GDP allotted to Defence from 2% to 2.5%
President Klaus Iohannis stated, on Tuesday, that in the current context there is need to increase the defence capacity of the Romanian state, pointing out that it is necessary to increase the percentage of GDP allotted to Defence from 2% to 2.5%.
"Beyond the concrete decisions made today, I believe that the present crisis shows that from a strategic point of view, new consolidated actions of Romania are necessary in at least two dimensions. I have defined thus two strategic objectives. Firstly, it's necessary to increase the defence capacity of the Romanian state. In this sense, I believe that it is necessary to increase the percentage of the GDP allotted to Defence spending from 2%, where it stands at this time, to 2.5%. Secondly, it's necessary to achieve the energy independence of Romania, mainly through the development of renewable and civilian nuclear energies," said the head of state, after the meeting of the Supreme Council for the Country's Defence.
He also said that for the fulfillment of these strategic objectives political decisions will be necessary. "Concrete action plans need to be implemented at the level of competent institutions," added the head of state.
President Klaus Iohannis also announced that during the session of the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT), a decision was made to intensify consolidation efforts in the Eastern Flank, this including deploying military forces.
"We decided to intensify actions at a bilateral and allied level for the significant consolidation of deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern Flank, in the following period, by deploying allied forces and by a rapid setup of a battle group in Romania," the head of state showed during a press statement at Cotroceni Palace.
Furthermore, Iohannis also spoke about supporting the Republic of Moldova "on various scales".
"In the context generated by the effects of the regional security, it is necessary to support the Republic of Moldova on various scales, which is currently facing an increased wave of refugees and possibly with other difficulties as well," the head of state said.
He stressed that the Russian aggression has generated a resurgence of unity and unprecedented solidarity of the entire democratic world, has shown the cohesion and ability of NATO members to react together, to stand firm against an aggressor who risks to destabilising the global security climate.
"At the same time, the European Union is demonstrating again that it is a big family, that together we are stronger and that we can find solutions even in the darkest moments," Iohannis said.
He said that Romania's membership of the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union, coupled with the very solid Strategic Partnership with the United States of America, represents the biggest gain of our country in the last 30 years.
President Iohannis said that Romania has been substantially involved - and remains - in all the decisions that have been made at the allied level in recent days and is constantly acting to provide support to Ukraine and its citizens who are seeking refuge in our country.
"I thank all the Romanians who support the consistent efforts of the main and local authorities to manage the situation of the refugees entering Romania," the president added.