DefMin Tilvar: Romania - a responsible ally of the U.S. in strengthening regional security at Black Sea

Romania remains a responsible ally of the U.S. and a loyal partner in the process of strengthening regional security in the Black Sea area, National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said on Tuesday, during his visit to the 99th Military Base in Deveselu alongside U.S. Ambassador to Romania Kathleen Kavalec."We will continue to act to maintain this region as a point of maximum importance on NATO's agenda," he added.The 99th Military Base in Deveselu hosts the U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) in Romania.   The Minister of National Defense and the United States Ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, visited on Tuesday the 57th Air Base in Mihail Kogalniceanu, the two having a meeting with a delegation made up of defense attachés from NATO member countries, accredited to Bucharest, on an informational visit to the 57th Air Base.The official agenda included a visit to the AADMS system, during which Minister Angel Tilvar congratulated Commander-Captain Robert Foster on his recent appointment as the commander of this system.In discussions aboard the system, the Romanian Defence minister stressed the important role of the U.S. missile defence system Aegis Ashore hosted by Romania in NATO's defensive architecture."The system operating in Deveselu is one of the most important allied capabilities ensuring missile defence for Europe. The fact that Romania was chosen to host this advanced technology is also a concrete manifestation of the solidity of the Romanian-American strategic partnership and the U.S. commitment to strengthening the allied defence posture in the Black Sea region," said Angel Tilvar.The Romanian minister reiterated Romania's commitment to strengthening NATO's defence and deterrence posture against any aggression against allied territory."Unfortunately, as a result of Russia's aggressive actions, the Black Sea has transformed from a space for cooperation and free trade into a war zone. Mines, drones, or drone fragments used in illegal attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure, which have fallen on our national territory, are security threats we are facing directly. Romania's commitment, alongside our allies, to ensuring security in our region is unwavering," Angel Tilvar pointed out.The minister highlighted the importance of the defence and security dimension of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States for the national security equation of Romania. The agenda of the visit to Deveselu also included a meeting with U.S. soldiers and with Romanian military and civilian personnel working at the 99th Military Base.Minister Tilvar pointed out that the 99th Base in Deveselu is an example of best practices in terms of cooperation with the allied forces.The delegation of the National Defence minister included the Chief of Staff of the Air Forces, Lieutenant General Leonard Baraboi, and the Chief of Staff of the Joint Logistics Command, Brigade General Razvan Bratulescu. (Photo:https://www.mapn.ro/)