Iohannis: Strengthened NATO military presence needed in Romania and the Black Sea region

President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that a strengthened NATO military presence was needed in Romania and the Black Sea region, as a "strictly defensive" response to Russia's aggression.

"We urgently need a consistent and balanced consolidation of the eastern flank, a united and enhanced Advanced Presence. A strengthened NATO military presence is needed in Romania and in the Black Sea region, as a strictly defensive response to Russia's aggression," Iohannis said at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace after meeting his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda.

He underscored that a clear and necessary example in that regard is the creation of a NATO battle group in Romania as soon as possible.

"We need to take immediate, long-term action, and I will advocate that at the NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday," Iohannis said.

He pointed out that Romania, together with Poland, wants a clear reconfirmation of NATO's fundamental priority task, which is collective defence.

"President Biden's visit to Europe and his participation in the two-day NATO summit send, once again, a strong message of NATO unity and solidarity, and also of the United States' support for our security. Together with President Duda, I addressed our common priorities in the transatlantic relationship, especially in the current context," said Iohannis.

The President pointed out that Romania and Poland are both countries of very relevant geostrategic positions on NATO's eastern flank.

"Together, we represent a force that counts in the region and in the North Atlantic Alliance. We are the initiators of important regional formats, such as Bucharest 9, a key format for transatlantic coordination and coalescence of NATO positions on major issues related to Euro-Atlantic security," he said.

Iohannis added that he had agreed with his Polish counterpart that Romania and Poland would intensify their "particularly substantial" security co-operation.

"I thanked President Duda for Poland's contribution to NATO bodies in Romania, including with Polish soldiers on the ground, who have been present since 2017, and I assured him that Romania will continue its contribution to the NATO battle group and other NATO bodies in Poland," said Iohannis.