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By allocating two percent of the GDP to Defence in 2017 and 2018, we are on the right track, Defence Minister Gabriel Les stated on Monday at last year's activity stocktaking of the Land Forces Staff.
He gave assurances that the allocation of 2 percent of the GDP for the Romanian military system will also continue through the State Budget Law on 2019.
"The year 2018 was, for the Romanian Armed Forces, a challenging one in which the main objectives were to continue to strengthen the defense capability of the country, both through the measures taken in the field of endowment and in the training and instruction of the troops. It is our duty to have a powerful military system capable of adapting to the regional security context and we believe that by allocating two percent of the GDP to Defence in 2017 and 2018, we are on the right track. I can tell you with certainty that this trend will continue in 2019," Les said.
Referring to Romania's acknowledgement as a credible partner within NATO and the EU, the Minister of Defense mentioned that our country's proposal to host a NATO-level army corps was accepted.
"This new structure, together with the existing ones, confirms the essential role of Romania alongside Poland on the eastern flank of the Alliance. Through the way they have fulfilled their current missions by participating in national and international exercises, among which Dacian Lancer 18, Scorpions Fury 18, Sarmis 18, Wind Spring 18, Justice Sword 18, the Land Forces servicemen have demonstrated that they have excellent training and excellent cooperation with colleagues from the Armies of the partner countries," the Defence Ministry (MApN) official said.
He appreciated the excellent work of the Land Force servicemen in missions in the theaters of operations that "represents the most important image vector of our country in the world", considering that, "through impeccably fulfilled missions, Romania demonstrates once again that it is a serious, credible and predictable partner in the international community, a real generator of security and stability."
The Land Forces General Staff had on Monday a meeting for its activity self-assessment on 2018, which was attended by the Chief of General Staff of Defence, General Nicolae Ciuca, and Secretary of State Andrei Ignat.
According to a MApN press release, the head of the Land Forces Staff, Brigadier General Ovidiu-Liviu Uifaleanu, presented the way of fulfilling the missions of this force category, the current issues, but also the priorities for 2019.
"The year 2018 was one with many achievements for the Romanian Land Forces in our main areas of responsibility. In the Centennial Year, only if we refer to the two certifications of the NATO structures in our country - the Multinational Commands of the South East Division, respectively the South East Brigade - are accomplishments we are proud of," the SMFT Chief said.
The Chief of General Staff of Defence, General Nicolae Ciuca, thanked the staff of the Romanian Land Forces for the way they carried out their activity throughout 2018.
AGERPRES .
