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DefMin Motoc met SACEUR General Curtis Scaparotti
Romania's Defence Minister Mihnea Motoc on Monday met Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Curtis Scaparotti to discuss the recent developments in the regional and world security environment as well as directions for the consolidation of the NATO deterrence and defence posture and advanced presence on its eastern flank as central themes of the incoming NATO summit in Warsaw.
The Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN) says in a press statement released on Monday that Motoc presented Romania's national positions for the summit, underscoring the need for a consistent, coherent and proportional approach of the entire NATO eastern flank, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.
Discussed were measures related to Romania as part of the advanced presence adapted for the south-eastern part of the NATO territory, with mention of the fact that they are based on national contributions of defence forces and capabilities as well as allied participations, some of which are already engaged and some about to be.
The two officials agreed that the summit is a highlight in the process of switching from insurance measures to NATO's strategic adaptation to the challenges of the new security environment, with special attention attached to specific ways of involving the allied military authorities in the period immediately ahead and the practical implementation of the decisions to be adopted by the heads of state or government in Warsaw.
The NATO ballistic missile defence system was also discussed, which is seen as one of Romania's main priorities for the NATO Warsaw summit as a key component of NATO collective defence and deterrence, says MApN.
NATO's various engagements in various theatres of war were also discussed.
General Scaparotti praised Romania for its contribution and for the professionalism displayed by Romanian troops in NATO missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans.
Motoc reiterated Romania's substantive commitment to carry out the responsibilities incumbent on it in relation to all the important items of the NATO agenda, buttressed by a national decision to provide the necessary budgetary resources for the modernisation and consolidation of defence capabilities. Scaparotti is quoted as insisting on the special importance of the implementation of the Defence Pledge, which was approved at a NATO summit in Wales.
General Curtis Scaparotti took over as commander of the United States European Command (EUCOM) on May 3, 2016, and as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on May 4, 2016.