Paris will participate in the strengthening of the Romanian military device, while Bucharest is concerned about the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
by
The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, less than 400 kilometers from Romanian borders, has left a profound trace. Faced with the threat of an invasion of neighboring Ukraine, the Romanians rely on NATO protection, which Bucharest joined in 2004, and especially that of the United States to protect their territory. The numbers of the Atlantic Alliance in Romania are estimated at 4,000 soldiers, but their number is revised upwards and it is Washington that sets the tone to this movement.
“To show our commitment to our NATO allies and discourage the aggression of Russia, the United States will reposition a Stryker battalion of around 1,000 soldiers in Romania, announced the Department of American state in a statement released by the US Embassy of Bucharest Thursday, February 3rd. The second mechanized cavalry regiment of the German base of Vilseck will strengthen its workforce with a unit of armored ones to support the allied States that are first line in case of aggression. “
Paris is also preparing to participate in the strengthening of the Romanian military system and takes advantage of the rotating presidency of the European Union to revive the Franco-Romanian relationship. Wednesday 2 and Thursday, February 3, the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, went to Bucharest for a nine meeting of his counterparts in the countries of Eastern Europe and the Baltic Countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Estonia. “It is true that the situation is serious and that Russia has forces that allow it an aggressive initiative if it wishes, but it has not yet decided it, said the minister. Let’s use all possible initiatives to commit the descalade and for the president [Vladimir] Putin chooses negotiation rather than confrontation. “
Modernization
Romania also counts on France to modernize its flotilla from the Black Sea. On January 27, on the occasion of the visit of the Minister of Armies, Florence Parly, Bucharest, his Romanian counterpart, Vasile Dincu, confirmed that the government was ready to invest 1.2 billion euros for construction in Romania of four Gowind Corvettes by French Naval Group. “We will have a meeting very soon with NATO members on the sending of a force in Romania, said M Me Parly in Bucharest. We are preparing to be ready and France wishes to be the frame nation of this force. “
You have 49.39% of this article to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.