The NATO Summit in Ankara represents an opportunity to bring to the attention of allies at the highest level the complicated situation in the Black Sea region and the consequences that Russian aggression has at a regional level and on Romania, through incidents such as those with drones, reads a press release from the Presidential Administration sent on Monday, after the meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT).

'We will request that NATO continue to treat these threats with the utmost attention, by ensuring a strong deterrence and defense posture and an appropriate military presence in the area and on the territory of Romania', the quoted source reports.

For Romania, the press release states, the stakes of the meeting are clear and include reconfirming and consolidating our country's profile as a reliable NATO ally that contributes significantly to Euro-Atlantic security.

'From this perspective, the Summit represents an opportunity to present Romania's progress in fulfilling the financial commitments assumed in The Hague, as well as in the field of the defense industry, including by adequately capitalizing on the initiatives for the defense industry, carried out both at NATO and EU level, as well as our efforts in support of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and security in the Black Sea area', the Presidential Administration points out.

Continuing the meeting, the members of the Council analyzed and approved the armed forces of Romania that can be made available for participation in missions and operations outside the territory of the Romanian state in 2027.

Thus, the Romanian Army will ensure, for the forces and means that can be made available for participation in missions and operations outside the territory of the Romanian state in 2027, a staff of 5,358 military personnel and civilians. Of these, 2,786 will participate in missions and operations outside the territory, 1,801 soldiers will be on standby, on the national territory, with the possibility of being deployed upon order, and 771 soldiers will be within the forces proposed for missions and operations that may be assumed.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will be able to participate in missions and operations next year with a staff of 2,604 servicemen and police officers, of whom 39 will participate in missions and operations outside the territory of the Romanian state, and 2,565 troops will be on standby, on the national territory, with the possibility of being deployed upon order.

At the same time, the Ministry of National Defense requested an additional contribution to the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM BLACK SEA), a vital strategic initiative for guaranteeing freedom of navigation and economic and military security in the Black Sea, in order to secure the order for it in 2027.

The establishment of MCM BLACK SEA, in January 2024, by Romania, Turkey and Bulgaria, 'represents a first in the recent history of Black Sea security and a project of strategic importance for our country, intended to maintain the safety of maritime traffic in the Black Sea, including the protection of critical submarine infrastructure, by expanding the functions of the MCM BLACK SEA maritime mine clearance operation', the Presidential Administration also points out. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)