Pres Bolojan, defence industry officials discuss EU Plan for strengthening defence capabilities

Interim President Ilie Bolojan on Thursday convened a working meeting at the Cotroceni Palace with representatives of the national defence industry and the main trade union groups in the field.According to the Presidential Administration, discussions focused on the EU Plan for strengthening defence capabilities, called ReArm/Readiness 2030, a European initiative released among the current security situation, marked by the war in Ukraine and Russia's aggressive policy."Romania will pursue efficient integration with the plan in order to strengthen its defence capability and develop the national industry, capitalising on the opportunities offered by the EU, in addition to its commitments pledged to NATO," the administration said.Bolojan said that Romania can strengthen its military capabilities, attract investments in the field of defence and modernise the industry, facilitating job creation and technology transfer.Another issue was funding of dual-use projects, both military and civilian, with a focus on military mobility and infrastructure. The need for a more transparent and simplified legislation to boost local production, industrial cooperation and attract investments was also highlighted.The ReArm/Readiness 2030 plan, presented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on March 4, is structured on five pillars: a new financial instrument, Security Action for Europe (SAFE); increasing the support from the European Investment Bank, by expanding the eligibility categories; flexibility of existing EU instruments for greater investments in defence, including through the revision of the Cohesion Policy; mobilising private capital for industrial-scale development; increasing public funding on defence by activating the Stability and Growth Pact's escape clause.The objective of this plan is a coordinated and accelerated increase in the defence expenditures of the member states, reducing strategic dependencies and consolidating the European industry. A common list of priorities at EU level includes key areas such as air and missile defence, artillery systems, missiles and ammunition, drones and anti-drone countermeasures, critical infrastructure protection, military mobility, cyber defence, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare."President Ilie Bolojan reaffirmed Romania's commitment to implementing this plan as a strategic priority, maintaining an active dialogue with the national industry to maximise the benefits of this European initiative," said the administration.The meeting was attended by representatives of the government, including Minister of the Economy, Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Bogdan-Gruia Ivan; Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery Stefan-Radu Oprea, and MApN senior official Eduard Bachide, along with over 160 representatives of publicly and privately-owned defence companies, as well as employers' and trade union associations.The event was moderated by Bogdan Mazuru, presidential advisor, who also presented the ReArm Europe Plan. Also speaking were Mihai Jurca, presidential advisor, and Dragos Anastasiu, honorary advisor. (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)