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DefMin Tilvar discusses security situation in Black Sea region with British counterpart Shapps
Minister of National Defence Angel Tilvar met on Monday with his British counterpart Grant Shapps, to whom he conveyed his "concerns" regarding the security situation in the Black Sea region on NATO's Eastern flank.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) on Tuesday, this situation is generated by a dangerous escalation following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
However, Minister Tilvar expressed the Romanian side's determination to implement the defence and security efforts mentioned in the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Romania - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, signed in March this year.
"I discussed with my counterpart ways we can strengthen cooperation in terms of strengthening the defence and deterrence posture on the Eastern flank, the implementation of NATO's Strategic Concept, but also the need to maintain a constant dialogue to better understand the specific challenges of each region. We also exchanged views on the particular importance we attach to the Republic of Moldova and the Western Balkans," said minister Tilvar.
He stressed that "the Russian Federation bears full responsibility for its dangerous actions in the Black Sea, which represent a major risk to stability and peace in the Black Sea region, a region of strategic importance for NATO".
The Romanian official appreciated the UK's contribution to strengthening the allied posture on the Eastern flank and especially in the Black Sea region, concrete proof of allied solidarity and unity. The UK's participation in Romanian Air Force missions, future commitments and exercises in bilateral and multilateral formats are just a few concrete examples of these contributions, shows the press release.
On the evolution of the conflict in Ukraine, Minister Tilvar praised the UK support to the Ukrainian armed forces and welcomed the effectiveness of the Interflex training mission in which Romania is also participating. According to British military authorities, more than 30,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been successfully trained in this mission, an effort to which Romanian military instructors are also contributing.