Modernising the Naval Forces, whether through fleet renewal, mine-countermeasure capabilities or capabilities to monitor and protect maritime infrastructure, remains a priority for Romania, President Nicusor Dan said on Saturday.

In his message on Romanian Navy Day, read at the events in Constanta by Presidential Adviser Marius Lazurca, the head of state stressed that a modern military 'is built through continuity, and this is the responsibility of state institutions, regardless of the political configuration at any given time'.

'Membership of NATO and the European Union gives us the strongest security platform in history, but this membership also entails responsibility and commitment. Romania is today a state contributing to the security of the eastern flank, protecting freedom of navigation and strengthening stability in a region where military risks and hybrid threats are manifesting with unprecedented intensity. This significant role, assumed and consistently exercised, would not be possible without the professionalism of the Romanian Naval Forces. Commitments require, of course, investment. Modernising the Naval Forces, whether we are talking about fleet renewal, mine-countermeasure capabilities or capabilities to monitor and protect maritime infrastructure, remains a priority, beyond electoral cycles or current debates. A modern military is built through continuity, and this is the responsibility of state institutions, regardless of the political configuration at any given time,' the head of state said.

He added that he would advocate sustained allocations for developing defence capabilities and modernising the Romanian Naval Forces, so that they are prepared to respond appropriately to current and future challenges.

'Equally, it is a priority for me that these investments support Romanian industry and contribute to the development of the national economy,' Nicusor Dan stressed.

He noted that, in recent years, the Black Sea had become 'a crucial area for Europe's security'.

'Major strategic interests, essential trade routes, critical energy infrastructure and competition between models of governance and visions of the international order intersect here. The war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has made this reality impossible to ignore. Geography has never changed, but the way in which we are compelled to understand it has changed radically. For us, all this does not represent merely regional developments, but directly concerns us, because the Black Sea has become the place from which one of our most important responsibilities for European security begins, a space where Romania asserts its strategic interests and charts its future. In this context, our country is constantly strengthening its defence and deterrence capabilities,' President Dan also said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Cristian Lupascu; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)