Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said on Monday that funding through the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme represents an important opportunity to strengthen defence capabilities and protect the country's territory and citizens, while also highlighting the need to deepen military cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

The statement was made at Victoria Palace, during the ceremony for the signing of the documents through which the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Moldova becomes Romania's partner in the SAFE project entitled 'Multi-purpose Wheeled Transport Platforms.' The event was attended by the defence ministers of the two countries, Radu Oprea and Anatolie Nosatii.

'Under today's agreement, the defence ministries of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will become partners for the first time in a joint procurement project carried out through the SAFE programme. The 'Multi-purpose Wheeled Transport Platforms' project is included in Romania's investment plan for the defence industry, financed through the allocation earmarked for Romania under the 'Security Action for Europe' instrument, widely known as SAFE. We share the objective of strengthening and adapting our defence capabilities to current requirements and challenges, investing in the defence industry and thereby supporting the consolidation of Europe's industrial and technological base through joint projects and procurement. The funding provided by the SAFE programme represents a major opportunity for us to protect our territory and our citizens. We need to do much more to deepen our bilateral cooperation in this field and strengthen our collaboration and coordination. I am pleased that we have been able to finalise this project, which confirms the strategic and historical ties of good and warm friendship between Romania and the Republic of Moldova,' Luca Niculescu said.

Luca Niculescu also referred to the prospects for cooperation on counter-drone programmes.

'The security of our citizens and the protection of our territory against Russian attacks were among the topics discussed with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, particularly given that such incursions by drones violating national airspace are becoming increasingly frequent. These highly practical discussions strengthen our cooperation in the area of defence, as demonstrated by the agreement you are signing today, as well as by the progress made in our talks on working together on counter-drone programmes. Such programmes are becoming increasingly necessary, as we have also seen in recent days, when the Romanian Ministry of National Defence's radar surveillance systems detected drones that had entered national airspace without authorisation in the north-eastern part of the country. I would like to thank our military personnel and everyone who remains on duty day and night to ensure that Romanians are protected and our national territory remains secure,' Niculescu said.

The head of government also highlighted the economic importance of the contracts concluded with the Moldovan side.

'This project provides for the production, integration and final testing of IVECO platforms in Romania, which, in short, means investment and jobs in our country. As you know, this is a priority for the government I lead. Congratulations to everyone who made this project possible, including the local and central authorities. This is the direction we must follow,' Niculescu said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)