DefMin Dusa: Ukrainian crisis shows importance of Romania's Euro-Atlantic choice

The crisis in Ukraine shows the importance of Romania's Euro-Atlantic choice, resulting in security guarantees, Defence Minister Mircea Dusa said at a celebration of Land Forces Day in Bucharest on Wednesday.

Officials attend Land Forces Day ceremony in Bucharest
Photo credit: (c) Alex MICSIK / AGERPRES PHOTO

"Romania has assumed its status of full member of the most successful political and alliance in the country's history," said Dusa; he added that Romanian troops earned the respect of their foreign colleagues and the appreciation of the allied military and political leaders.

According to him, the priority of the National Defence Ministry is the restoration of the operational combat capacity of the Army.

"We succeeded in having the biggest budget since 2008 in 2014 and 2015, which allows us to modernize and equip the Romanian Army," the minister pointed out.

"Since 1991, the Romanian Land Forces are engaged in missions in theatres of operations, in complex mission programmes. The engagement of Land Forces in missions and operations outside the national territory was gradual, since 1991, and is continuing on three continents, under UN or OSCE mandates or under NATO or EU command," he reminded.

The Land Forces are an important component of Romania's security, given the relevance of their missions for the country's security needs, Dusa added.

"Maintaining the combat capacity of this force now and in the future while transforming it into a 21st century military force requires a long-term effort and resources," he declared.

He also mentioned that most of the troops participating in hot spots worldwide belonged to the Land Forces.

"More than 1,500 soldiers of the Land Forces are participating in...