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MAE: US ambassador to NATO Smith welcomed by Minister Bogdan Aurescu
Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday welcomed ambassador Julianne Smith, the US permanent representative to NATO, emphasising amid unprecedented challenges to Euro-Atlantic security the need for close political and defence policy coordination between the US and the NATO eastern flank member states, including Romania, in order to strengthen solidarity and a common response to Russia's aggression, with a regional, Euro-Atlantic and global impact.
The head of the Romanian diplomacy reconfirmed his appreciation for the announcement at the NATO summit in Madrid by US President Joe Biden regarding the ramp up of the US military presence in Romania and stressed the importance of US support, along with other allies who made similar decisions that balances the deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank.
He thanked the US delegation to NATO for the important role in that regard, for the constant solidarity shown towards Romania and encouraged as close as possible co-operation with Romania in the future as well, considering the geostrategic positioning of Romania.
Aurescu said that the Russian aggression in Ukraine proved unequivocally that NATO force is generated by unity and solidarity, as well as by coordinated reactions, which must be maintained and strengthened in the future.
Aurescu and Smith also discussed the importance of the process of Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO, stressing that the approach reconfirms the validity and coherence of NATO's open-door policy.
At the same time, Aurescu informed Smith about the state of preparations for the meeting of the NATO foreign ministers that he will host in Bucharest in November, calling it a crucial follow-up moment for the implementation of the decisions taken at the Madrid summit.
According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE), Aurescu reiterated the need for close co-operation between Romania and the US on an American strategy for the Black Sea.
The two officials welcomed the inclusion in the new strategic concept of the Black Sea region as a region of strategic importance to Euro-Atlantic security, a priority objective pursued by Romania at the Madrid summit.
There were also detailed discussions about the developments and prospects of the war in Ukraine and continued support for the country. Aurescu presented Romania's efforts to support Ukraine, with a focus on humanitarian support for refugees and the transit of Ukrainian grain.
Smith thanked Romania for close co-operation within NATO and for the responsible part of Romania in ensuring stability in the Black Sea region and in terms of multidimensional support to Ukraine.
Ambassador Julianne Smith's visit to Romania comes shortly after the NATO summit in Madrid and takes place, symbolically, on the 25th anniversary of the release of a strategic partnership between Romania and the US.