ForMin Odobescu, Dutch counterpart Slot discuss allied collaboration, F-16 Training Center in Fetesti

  Foreign Affairs minister Luminita Odobescu held bilateral consultations on Wednesday with her counterpart from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hanke Bruins Slot, who is visiting Bucharest, the meeting taking place against the backdrop of "intensified bilateral political and sectoral dialogue, as well as constant and close coordination at European and international level," informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).Minister Odobescu welcomed the contribution of the Netherlands to NATO's deterrence and defence posture in Romania, in particular the participation of the Dutch military in the French-led Battle Group in 2022 and 2023, as well as the deployment of F-16 aircraft and other military capabilities. In this context, she highlighted the effective cooperation with respect to the European Training Center for F-16 fighter aircraft at Fetesti Air Base in Romania.The Romanian official presented an assessment of critical regional security developments against the background of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, Luminita Odobescu highlighted the need for continued strong support for Ukraine and a comprehensive approach to ensuring security throughout the Black Sea region, and presented Romania's steps in this regard.The two officials also addressed issues related to the preparation of the NATO Summit in Washington and the need to achieve consistent results both in terms of support for Ukraine and strengthening the deterrence and defence posture of the Eastern Flank.Luminita Odobescu welcomed the involvement of the Netherlands in supporting the Republic of Moldova in reform, development and resilience building. She referred to the recently completed twinning project (instrument for cooperation of EU public administrations with beneficiary or partner third countries - editor's note) aimed at strengthening the financial sector in the Republic of Moldova, developed with the support of a consortium made up of Romania's central banks, as project leader, as well as the banks of the Netherlands and Lithuania.The meeting also provided an opportunity to review some of the priority topics on the European agenda, such as the completion of Romania's accession process to the Schengen area and the EU enlargement policy.The two ministers also exchanged views on the Middle East crisis.