PM on Romania’s objective for upcoming NATO summit: A clear NATO military presence in the region

One of Romania’s main objectives for the upcoming NATO summit in Wales is to obtain the commitment for “a clear NATO military presence in Romania”, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said on Monday, August 25. He didn’t mention if this would mean more NATO troops stationed in Romania of a permanent NATO military base in the country. “Romania’s objectives are clear and established by all the state’s institutions, and these are a clear military presence of NATO in Romania, and a very clear commitment for all the Eastern (European – e.n.) flank to ensure security and partnership in the region,” Ponta said. “It is extremely important that Romania, which proved to be a trusted NATO partner to know that the efforts of the Alliance are clearly channeled towards ensuring security in this region and towards a clear support for new candidates for EU accession, for Ukraine, for Moldova, for Georgia and for commitments related to their security,” he added. Romania will be represented at the NATO summit in Wales, on September 4-5, by President Traian Basescu, but also by defense minister Mircea Dusa and by foreign affairs minister Titus Corlatean. Corlatean declared earlier this year that Romania hopes to have a permanent NATO military base together with a more substantial U.S. military presence in the country. The U.S. military presence will be strengthened after the Deveselu military base, which hosts the American antimissile system, will become functional, which is expected for 2015. On 4 to 5 September 2014, Wales will host the largest gathering of international leaders ever to take place in Britain as the UK hosts the NATO summit. American President Obama, German Chancellor Merkel, and French President Hollande are expected to attend along with leaders and senior ministers from around 60 other countries. The summit comes as NATO draws down from its longest ever mission in Afghanistan and against a backdrop of instability in Ukraine, which is expected to be the main discussion theme. editor@romania-insider.com