The bilateral security agreement signed by Romania and Ukraine on Thursday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington provides, among other things, for emergency consultations within 24 hours "in the event of new aggression by Russia against Ukraine or in the event of a significant escalation", according to the text of the agreement made public by presidency.ro.
These consultations can take place at the request of either side, "bilaterally or through other channels they deem appropriate, in order to establish the appropriate measures necessary to counter or deter aggression or escalation".
Romania says it will provide Ukraine, as appropriate, with "prompt and sustained security assistance, military equipment in all fields and economic assistance, will seek agreement in the EU on the imposition of economic and other costs on Russia and will consult with Ukraine on its needs in exercising its right to self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter".
At the same time, says the bilateral agreement, "the participants recall that Ukraine's future is in NATO and that Ukraine will become a NATO member in the future".
Romania is committed to continue providing support to Ukraine through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Assistance Package (UCAP). "The aim of the short-term non-lethal support is to contribute to the backing of Ukrainian operations. The purpose of medium and long-term support is to contribute to the reconstruction of the Ukrainian security and defense sector and to assist Ukraine in its transition towards full interoperability with NATO," the text of the agreement states.
Romania also pledges to "promote cooperation opportunities in the framework of relevant EU initiatives, including those aimed at increasing defense production capacity and strengthening cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry", which would benefit both countries.
The document reiterates Romania's commitment to continue to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" to win the war, "maintaining the current dynamic level of assistance, including the military assistance packages agreed between the two defense ministries".
"In 2024, the additional support provided by Romania will be determined by the needs expressed by Ukraine, in coordination with our partners and in accordance with the existing procedures between the defense ministries of the two countries. Romania will donate a Patriot system to Ukraine, in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Defense Council of the Republic of Ukraine of June 20, 2024," the agreement notes.
Moreover, "as part of defense cooperation, Romania will facilitate the transit of all equipment needed on its territory to Ukraine as quickly as possible".
The participants in the agreement also pledge to continue bilateral dialog with other partners "in order to exchange views and lessons learned on missile and UAV threats".
The document also refers to the fact that Romania, together with its partners, "will actively provide the capabilities of the F-16 Training Center (FTC) run by the Romanian Armed Forces for the training of Ukrainian pilots, as a concrete contribution to the Air Force Capability Coalition".
The text of the agreement also mentions that Romania will continue to contribute to training activities in the framework of the EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM), while the Romanian Ministry of National Defence will carry out specific and specialized training activities on a bilateral or multilateral basis, in close coordination with EUMAM and the Security Assistance Group - Ukraine (SAG-U).
Last but not least, the participants affirm that they will cooperate in countering any hybrid attacks by the Russian Federation and any other hostile nation, especially in the current regional context, "exacerbated by the Russian Federation's pursuit of regaining and expanding economic influence and control beyond its borders, and discrediting and undermining the rules-based international order".
At the same time, the participants declare their intention to remain "united in their efforts to defend themselves against and counter hybrid threats" and Romania affirms that it will continue to support initiatives to counter hybrid threats within the EU, NATO and relevant international coalitions.
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