President Basescu: NATO aircraft to be in Romania air space; we can take part in Ukraine cyber defence

The presence of NATO fighter aircraft in the territory of Romania and the country's possible participation as a coordinating state of the cyber defence of Ukraine were the topics discussed at the Romanian Supreme Defence Council meeting on Wednesday, President Traian Basescu has announced.

'The aircraft will be stationed by rotation and is part of NATO integrated defence system and alongside the Romanian aviation it will provide air police, which means that beyond the fighter jets there will be stationed in the Romanian territory also 200 troops, pilots, mechanics and maintenance staff for NATO allies' aircraft that should provide air police in the space Romania is responsible for. Such a decision has been made and we will communicate it to NATO', Basescu told reporters at Cotroceni Palace (the presidential offices).

The head of state stressed that Romania, by the decision made by the Defence Council may take upon itself one of NATO programmes relating the cyber defence of Ukraine.

'We may participate as a coordinating state in the project relating NATO fund for support for Ukraine in cyber defence. Romania is ready to take upon itself one of the four NATO programmes in the capacity of a leading nation and the programme we wish to take upon ourselves is related to the cyber defence of Ukraine', the president announced. AGERPRES