President Dan: We need to explain Romanians Ukraine war unhappy ending's consequences on Romania, Moldova's security

  Romania must better explain to its citizens why an unhappy ending to the war in Ukraine would affect Romania and the Republic of Moldova's security, President Nicusor Dan said in The Hague during a press conference delivered after the NATO Summit, when asked how he intends to explain to the Romanians the need to step up defense spending."We need to explain the Romanians why an unhappy ending to the war in Ukraine affects the security of Romania and of the Republic of Moldova. We need to explain the Romanians that Russia's hybrid war does not take place in Romania alone, with examples from each of the European countries that have been targeted by such hybrid actions," Dan told journalists.The Romanian president mentioned that at the NATO Summit he reaffirmed "support for Ukraine, saying that Ukraine is linked to the security of NATO's entire eastern flank" and that he drew attention to the importance of the elections in the Republic of Moldova that will take place at the end of September."In my opinion, the elections due on September 28 are extremely important. It is very important that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova freely express themselves and that the result is free of interference, and we are talking about the Russian state interference that we have seen in the Republic of Moldova in recent years. Romania can help with ensuring this climate of normality for the elections. Except for the cooperation on the committed to energy and transport projects, Romania cannot intervene in the electoral process," the Romanian president also said.   According to him, the Port of Constanta is an opportunity for NATO in Ukraine's reconstruction. Asked about the opportunities that Romania offers to the NATO allies to co-interest them in strengthening security at the Black Sea, Dan said that "the opportunity for us at the Black Sea is the port of Constanta in the reconstruction of Ukraine. That is the opportunity that Romania offers to the allies."He also said that as far as the European Commission's Black Sea strategy is concerned, "(...) I don't think that the most important thing is where a hub should be." Dan referred to an EC communication on the EU's strategic approach to the Black Sea, which provides for the establishment of a European centre for maritime security in the Black Sea, based on the contribution of EU member and partner states bordering the Black Sea."We are glad that at Romania's initiative the European Commission proposed this strategy, we are glad that the American Congress approved a strategy for the Black Sea two years ago. At yesterday's meeting I discussed with Senator [Jeanne] Shaheen [co-chair of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group], who is one of the initiators of this law. For the Black Sea, the security issue is important, including in terms of gas fields that Romania has and will have," Dan told the news conference at the end of the NATO summit.  (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)