AGERPRES special correspondent Tudor Martalogu reports: The decision taken on Wednesday by the Supreme Council for Country Defence (CSAT) is the correct one, and it is natural for Romania, at such a moment, to stand alongside its ally, with the presence of US military forces in the country contributing to its security, stated MEP Siegfried Muresan (European People's Party group) on Wednesday.
'I have always considered that the presence of United States military troops in Romania contributes to Romania's security, through the cooperation between the Romanian Armed Forces and the US troops stationed here. We believe that Romania is a safer state. It is natural that, in this situation, under the terms discussed in CSAT, the United States requested Romania's support, and Romania should participate. We must also remember that Iran is a large state, with a population of approximately 90 million, almost equal to the combined populations of Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq,' the vice-president of the EPP group told a group of Romanian journalists in Strasbourg.
In his view, the European Union is essential for ensuring the country's energy security and managing potential migration flows.
'Therefore, I believe that close cooperation and coordination of our decisions with, of course, our NATO partners, but especially with EU member states, is more necessary than ever now, because we do not yet know how this conflict will end. There is still much uncertainty, and to manage the consequences, it is evident that we must remain as close as possible to our EU partners,' Muresan said.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Council for Country Defence discussed the temporary deployment of US military equipment and forces in Romania, in the context of the Middle East crisis, with a request in this regard submitted to Parliament for approval.
'These include refuelling aircraft, (...) monitoring equipment, and satellite communications equipment, the latter coordinated with the Deveselu missile defence shield. I emphasise that these systems are defensive and not armed with offensive weapons; technically, they are considered non-kinetic equipment. They will be deployed, provided Parliament approves them in the session scheduled for today, under the Romania-United States Partnership Agreement. As I said, for these systems and forces to arrive in Romania, a parliamentary vote is required. Following the CSAT meeting, I sent a letter to Parliament, and there will be a debate this afternoon,' President Nicusor Dan said in a press statement at the Cotroceni Palace after the CSAT session.
He explained that this collaboration with the US is similar to the cooperation other NATO countries engage in. The head of state reassured that these systems enhance Romania's security. 'I assure Romanians that there is no cause for concern; their country is safe, indeed, even safer,' Nicusor Dan stated.
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