Consolidating the eastern flank of NATO is, in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a priority for the members of the organisation. At an informal meeting of the NATO foreign ministers in Berlin, the Romanian diplomacy chief Bogdan Aurescu emphasised the importance of the long-term consolidation of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank, particularly at the Black Sea, in a balanced and unified manner.
Minister Aurescu said the decision made by the Allied leaders at their Summit on 24 March, concerning the set-up of 4 new battle groups, one of them in Romania, is „an especially useful first step” in this respect, and thanked the Allied states involved. The talks in Berlin concerned NATO’s open door policy, the war in Ukraine and its impact on Euro-Atlantic security. Bogdan Aurescu said Romania was in favour of a quick accession of Finland and Sweden to the organisation, and pointed out that the 2 countries’ membership will consolidate the Alliance as a whole, making it stronger.
„On the one hand, Romania is a firm supporter of the open-door policy, which has many benefits for the entire Alliance, and we know, from our own experience, how important it was for reforming Romania,ˮ the foreign minister said. At the same time, he added, „Bucharest feels that the accession of these 2 states will consolidate the Alliance on the whole and we believe that, with Finland and Sweden members of the Alliance, the deterrence posture will be more efficient and defence more consolidated.ˮ
Another topic approached at the Berlin meeting was the preparation of the decisions to be made at the Madrid Summit at the end of June, and during the working session the Romanian official pointed out that with these decisions, the Madrid Summit is likely to be a fundamental milestone in the history of the Alliance.
Bogdan Aurescu highlighted that the new strategic concept to be endorsed by NATO leaders at the end of June, will define the Alliance’s profile and major lines of action for the next decade at least. He also emphasised the importance of „this strategic document taking into account, in a realistic and adequate manner, the new security context facing the organisation, by highlighting the main threats and challenges and ensuring an efficient and proportionate response capacity.” Minister Aurescu also said the new strategic concept should reflect the fact that Russia remains the main challenge for the Alliance. (Leyla Cheamil)
