International security

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sept. 24 he was hopeful Turkey would release this month an American pastor whose detention has rocked relations between the NATO partners.

Regele Ferdinand frigate left the Constanta Port on Monday to represent the Romanian Navy in two international missions in the Mediterranean Sea, September 27 - October 24, in line with Romania's commitments to NATO partners, according to a press statement released by the Romanian Navy.

The global security environment has become unpredictable; violent extremism, cybercrime and the considerable movement of people fleeing war. To prevent crises from turning into conflicts and to confront transnational challenges, you have said that, "Trust is the glue that holds international relations together".

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Sept. 14 that Turkey's purchase of a missile defense system from Russia was Ankara's own "national decision."

The Croatian navy held a send-off ceremony for the RTOP-41 Vukovar on Monday in front of the barracks in the port of Split.

The Croatian navy boat, with 50 crew members, is to join a NATO operation in the Mediterranean.

Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kılıç responded on Aug. 19 to an op-ed piece that he said it was aimed to undermine the Turkish contributions to the NATO alliance.

As Macedonia begins talks about joining NATO, an ongoing US military exercise may pave the way for restoring the country's landmark Krivolak army training centre to its full capacity, offering thousands of NATO soldiers a place to drill.

Mike Pompeo says that despite tensions over the detention of an American pastor and other deep differences, Turkey remains a key NATO ally.

Romania's Defence Minister Mihai Fifor said on Thursday he agreed with British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson to continue bilateral consultations and strategic dialogue on topics of mutual interest for the implementation of bilateral projects and the development of defence co-operation.

Unofficially, Dragovic will continue his career in diplomacy. It remains unknown at this time who will replace him at the helm of the unit he had commanded since 2015.