Romania, Spain discuss stability cooperation on eastern flank, Black Sea region

Attending a NATO defence ministerial meeting, Romania's Defence MinisterIonut Mosteanu on Wednesday had a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, with his Spanish counterpart Margarita Robles Fernandez to discuss current affairs NATO and the European Union, as well as deepening of defence bilateral cooperation.As for the NATO agenda, the two officials discussed consolidating NATO's posture on the eastern flank, security in the Black Sea region and the omnidirectional countering of risks and threats.According to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), Mosteanu thanked his counterpart for Spain's commitment in NATO framework towards the Black Sea region and said that he particularly appreciates "Spain's active participation in the NATO Battle Group deployed in Romania, as well as the professionalism of the air forces in the execution of air policing missions, contributions that strengthen regional security and the NATO posture on the eastern flank."The two ministers appreciated the need to coordinate efforts to strengthen the stability and security of the alliance, given the developments of the war in Ukraine. He also indicated the need to continue supporting vulnerable partners in the Black Sea region. The officials also discussed stability in NATO's southern neighbourhood and the need for dialogue with partners in this area.Within the operational commitments under the aegis of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union, the two officials highlighted the good collaboration between the Romanian and Spanish armed forces in the missions and operations, with a focus on the naval operation EUNVFOR ATALANTA, for which Spain provides the operational command, and the EU training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA), which command is provided by Romania."The meeting reconfirmed the political will to advance bilateral cooperation within the allied effort, with a focus on concrete results, and to ensure operational complementarity and coordinated contributions to Euro-Atlantic security. The Romanian minister of defence underlined the importance of strengthening interoperability and joint training, as well as the openness to expanding cooperation in areas of common interest, including from the perspective of collaboration opportunities in the area of defence industry and the SAFE facility," according to MApN. (Photo:https://armed.mapn.ro/)