1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,307 Ladies and gentlemen , the Minister of 2 00:00:02,307 --> 00:00:04,418 National Defence , Mr Nicolai O'neill 3 00:00:04,418 --> 00:00:06,584 Chukka and the Secretary of Defense of 4 00:00:06,584 --> 00:00:08,918 the United States , Mr Lloyd J . Austin . 5 00:00:12,030 --> 00:00:14,252 Ladies and gentlemen of the President , 6 00:00:14,252 --> 00:00:16,419 Minister of Defense of Romania and the 7 00:00:16,419 --> 00:00:18,363 Secretary of Defense of the United 8 00:00:18,363 --> 00:00:20,474 States will deliver remarks following 9 00:00:20,474 --> 00:00:22,474 their official bilateral talks that 10 00:00:22,474 --> 00:00:24,530 concluded a short while ago . I will 11 00:00:24,530 --> 00:00:26,474 ask Minister Chukka to present his 12 00:00:26,474 --> 00:00:28,363 conclusions . First . Please . Mr 13 00:00:28,363 --> 00:00:31,880 Minister Good morning Mr 14 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:33,920 Secretary of Defense , welcome to 15 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,850 Romania . We are honored by your 16 00:00:37,850 --> 00:00:41,790 presence in Romania . Today's visit 17 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:43,860 is an important milestone to 18 00:00:43,860 --> 00:00:46,870 acknowledge the exceptional efforts and 19 00:00:46,870 --> 00:00:50,070 cooperation on defence issues . This 20 00:00:50,070 --> 00:00:52,540 morning we had the opportunity to 21 00:00:52,540 --> 00:00:55,120 reiterate together the importance and 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,200 consistency of the strong strategic 23 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:00,150 partnership between our two nations . 24 00:01:00,740 --> 00:01:04,100 We are at a special time in our 25 00:01:04,100 --> 00:01:07,760 bilateral relationship this year are 26 00:01:07,770 --> 00:01:09,690 the 10th anniversary of the Joint 27 00:01:09,690 --> 00:01:11,990 Declaration on our strategic 28 00:01:11,990 --> 00:01:14,500 partnership for the 21st 29 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:17,990 century . Five years since the 30 00:01:17,990 --> 00:01:20,900 certification of the operational 31 00:01:20,900 --> 00:01:23,350 capability of the ages assured missile 32 00:01:23,350 --> 00:01:25,540 defense system at the military base in 33 00:01:25,540 --> 00:01:28,640 Devon Solu . In 25 years since the 34 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:32,210 opening of the Office of Defense 35 00:01:32,210 --> 00:01:35,570 Cooperation in Romania , the 36 00:01:35,570 --> 00:01:37,681 strategic partnership with the United 37 00:01:37,681 --> 00:01:39,700 States represents the fundamental 38 00:01:39,700 --> 00:01:42,480 pillar of Romania , security and 39 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,660 defense and for that . We thank you 40 00:01:47,890 --> 00:01:50,060 The mutual trust and respect between 41 00:01:50,060 --> 00:01:52,440 our service members has developed and 42 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:54,690 grown stronger over the 19 years of 43 00:01:54,690 --> 00:01:57,730 joint actions in Afghanistan and I 44 00:01:57,730 --> 00:01:59,940 would like to take this opportunity to 45 00:01:59,940 --> 00:02:03,290 thank Romanian and US service members 46 00:02:03,300 --> 00:02:06,660 for the way in which they accomplished 47 00:02:06,670 --> 00:02:10,610 their missions . I would like to pay my 48 00:02:10,610 --> 00:02:12,830 respects to those who lost their lives 49 00:02:12,830 --> 00:02:15,670 in that theater of operations and to 50 00:02:15,670 --> 00:02:18,390 express my gratitude to their families . 51 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,320 We have a joint roadmap and 52 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:24,320 the implementation of the strategic 53 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,580 guidelines and specific areas of 54 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:29,690 cooperation included in this document 55 00:02:29,700 --> 00:02:32,440 is of the utmost importance . I'm 56 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:36,430 referring mainly to 57 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:39,300 the strengthening of land , sea and air 58 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:42,020 cooperation in the Black Sea region to 59 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:43,909 the continued rotation of U . S . 60 00:02:43,909 --> 00:02:45,853 Forces in the region in support of 61 00:02:45,853 --> 00:02:47,964 deterrence and defense on the eastern 62 00:02:47,964 --> 00:02:50,790 flank . The modernization and 63 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:52,860 interoperability of our forces , 64 00:02:53,580 --> 00:02:55,840 cooperation on cyber security 65 00:02:57,350 --> 00:03:00,110 and support in the area of enhanced 66 00:03:00,110 --> 00:03:04,110 resilience . During our 67 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:06,332 meeting we discussed relevant issues on 68 00:03:06,332 --> 00:03:08,554 strengthening the strategic partnership 69 00:03:08,554 --> 00:03:10,277 between our two countries . We 70 00:03:10,277 --> 00:03:12,470 therefore address the challenges that 71 00:03:12,470 --> 00:03:14,900 we're facing and most of all the 72 00:03:14,900 --> 00:03:17,970 answers that we must define in a 73 00:03:17,970 --> 00:03:20,460 uniform and coherent manner and 74 00:03:20,460 --> 00:03:22,670 disrespect . We evaluated the ways to 75 00:03:22,670 --> 00:03:24,950 strengthen cooperation in the Black Sea 76 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:29,120 by starting naturally with developments 77 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:31,231 in the regional environment . With an 78 00:03:31,231 --> 00:03:33,287 emphasis on the security situation , 79 00:03:33,287 --> 00:03:35,540 with developments and partner countries 80 00:03:35,540 --> 00:03:38,950 in the Black Sea region that you have 81 00:03:38,950 --> 00:03:42,040 visited over the past two days . Mr 82 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:45,700 Secretary the Black Sea is and will 83 00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:47,960 continue to be a critically important 84 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,510 center of strategic relevance to 85 00:03:50,510 --> 00:03:52,650 european and euro atlantic security . 86 00:03:53,940 --> 00:03:56,450 Strengthening our deterrence and 87 00:03:56,450 --> 00:03:58,117 defence posture including the 88 00:03:58,117 --> 00:04:00,390 strengthening of the presence of US 89 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,430 forces on the territory of Romania and 90 00:04:03,430 --> 00:04:05,700 the development of our own relevant 91 00:04:05,710 --> 00:04:09,660 interoperable capabilities represent 92 00:04:09,660 --> 00:04:12,510 solutions to counteract the 93 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:14,853 assertiveness of the Russian federation . 94 00:04:14,853 --> 00:04:18,740 We hailed the decision to 95 00:04:18,740 --> 00:04:21,150 grant the pentagon taking status to 96 00:04:21,150 --> 00:04:23,760 Romania which facilitates access to the 97 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,440 latest U . S . Technology . As you know , 98 00:04:27,450 --> 00:04:29,870 we already have significant defense 99 00:04:29,870 --> 00:04:32,870 procurement projects underway based on 100 00:04:32,870 --> 00:04:35,520 the relevant budget allocation of 2% of 101 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:36,260 GDP . 102 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,140 the patriot and high maRS missile 103 00:04:42,140 --> 00:04:45,800 systems , the F 16 104 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,190 multiple aircraft , the Parana Fide 105 00:04:48,190 --> 00:04:52,190 armored personal carriers and uh 106 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,480 naval strike missile systems are only a 107 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,150 handful of eloquent examples . I would 108 00:04:58,150 --> 00:05:00,720 especially like to emphasize the 109 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:04,070 significant U . S . Investment at the 110 00:05:04,070 --> 00:05:06,940 air bases at MK and computers 111 00:05:06,940 --> 00:05:10,380 E and at the Shevchenko and baba doc 112 00:05:10,380 --> 00:05:12,630 training ranges . I want to take this 113 00:05:12,630 --> 00:05:16,330 opportunity once again to thank the 114 00:05:16,330 --> 00:05:20,010 United States and Secretary 115 00:05:20,010 --> 00:05:22,330 Austin personally for the U . S . 116 00:05:22,330 --> 00:05:24,860 Support in achieving these objectives . 117 00:05:26,340 --> 00:05:29,660 Uh distinct subject of our talks 118 00:05:29,670 --> 00:05:33,290 was the NATO summit in Madrid scheduled 119 00:05:33,290 --> 00:05:35,720 for June of next year . From the 120 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,120 standpoint of defense . There are eight 121 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:39,990 months left until this extremely 122 00:05:39,990 --> 00:05:43,190 important meeting and preparations for 123 00:05:43,190 --> 00:05:45,510 its agenda are already underway . We 124 00:05:45,510 --> 00:05:47,621 have identified common positions with 125 00:05:47,621 --> 00:05:49,843 regard to adapting the alliance through 126 00:05:49,843 --> 00:05:52,860 what we call the NATO 2030 process 127 00:05:53,140 --> 00:05:56,490 to a stronger and more effective 128 00:05:56,490 --> 00:05:59,990 deterrence and defence posture designed 129 00:05:59,990 --> 00:06:02,930 to counteract threats against the 130 00:06:02,930 --> 00:06:05,570 security of our allies regardless of 131 00:06:05,570 --> 00:06:08,110 where they might come from . We want 132 00:06:08,110 --> 00:06:09,999 the alliance to remain strong and 133 00:06:09,999 --> 00:06:12,500 capable to protect all of its members 134 00:06:12,500 --> 00:06:14,650 and to respond to their concerns . 135 00:06:14,840 --> 00:06:16,970 Therefore as far as Romania is 136 00:06:16,970 --> 00:06:18,637 concerned , the transatlantic 137 00:06:18,637 --> 00:06:20,581 relationship remains a fundamental 138 00:06:20,581 --> 00:06:23,540 pillar of our defense policy in this 139 00:06:23,540 --> 00:06:25,850 context . I would like to mention the 140 00:06:25,850 --> 00:06:27,906 appreciation that president Johannes 141 00:06:27,906 --> 00:06:30,720 conveyed to President biden and to the 142 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,000 U . S . Administration during the B 143 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,480 ninth summit in Bucharest quote for its 144 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,140 valuable and renewed support to NATO 145 00:06:38,140 --> 00:06:40,251 and to article five of the Washington 146 00:06:40,251 --> 00:06:43,380 treaty end quote , we will continue our 147 00:06:43,380 --> 00:06:45,480 bilateral consultations . The 148 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,570 objectives are clear , we need to 149 00:06:47,570 --> 00:06:50,680 strengthen our positions for the 2022 150 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:54,450 summit and for the implementation of 151 00:06:54,450 --> 00:06:56,790 the important projects on the agenda of 152 00:06:56,790 --> 00:07:00,490 bilateral defense cooperation . I thank 153 00:07:00,490 --> 00:07:03,030 you once again for your visit mr 154 00:07:03,030 --> 00:07:05,830 Secretary and I am convinced that we 155 00:07:05,830 --> 00:07:08,330 will continue to achieve our joint 156 00:07:08,340 --> 00:07:09,260 commitments . 157 00:07:13,140 --> 00:07:15,307 I don't know the secretarial authority 158 00:07:15,307 --> 00:07:19,040 of vegetables . Well , good 159 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,180 morning everyone . It's great to be 160 00:07:21,180 --> 00:07:24,590 here . It's a lovely day . Let me start 161 00:07:24,590 --> 00:07:27,170 by thanking the people of Romania for 162 00:07:27,170 --> 00:07:30,880 your warm hospitality and mister 163 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,102 Minister thank you for hosting me on my 164 00:07:33,102 --> 00:07:35,260 very first visit to Romania as 165 00:07:35,260 --> 00:07:39,070 Secretary of Defense now the 166 00:07:39,070 --> 00:07:41,460 Minister and I just had a very 167 00:07:41,460 --> 00:07:43,460 productive discussion on a range of 168 00:07:43,460 --> 00:07:46,060 issues and we're building on a 169 00:07:46,060 --> 00:07:48,180 relationship that's based on mutual 170 00:07:48,180 --> 00:07:52,050 trust respect and the political 171 00:07:52,050 --> 00:07:54,690 will to advance our common defense 172 00:07:54,700 --> 00:07:58,690 objectives . As President 173 00:07:58,700 --> 00:08:00,478 President Biden affirmed at the 174 00:08:00,478 --> 00:08:03,810 Bucharest 9th summit in May . This 175 00:08:03,810 --> 00:08:05,870 administration is committed to 176 00:08:05,870 --> 00:08:09,350 strengthening our euro atlantic bonds 177 00:08:10,340 --> 00:08:13,250 and to ensuring a secure eastern flight . 178 00:08:15,340 --> 00:08:17,260 So I very much wanted to come to 179 00:08:17,260 --> 00:08:19,270 Romania ahead of the NATO defense 180 00:08:19,270 --> 00:08:23,160 ministers meetings , Romania 181 00:08:23,930 --> 00:08:26,970 sets an important example for allied 182 00:08:26,970 --> 00:08:29,450 commitment on sharing responsibility , 183 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:32,760 defense , modernization and 184 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:35,830 contributing to NATO missions in europe 185 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,780 and beyond . I also wanted to be 186 00:08:39,780 --> 00:08:42,660 here to honor the Romanian service 187 00:08:42,660 --> 00:08:45,160 members who served side by side with us 188 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,730 in Afghanistan Over the past 20 189 00:08:48,730 --> 00:08:52,290 years , including The 27 Romanian 190 00:08:52,290 --> 00:08:54,360 troops who died in Afghanistan . 191 00:08:56,140 --> 00:08:58,570 And Mr Minister , I offer a personal 192 00:08:58,570 --> 00:09:02,510 note of thanks to you for serving in 193 00:09:02,510 --> 00:09:06,310 both Afghanistan and Iraq . I 194 00:09:06,310 --> 00:09:08,366 think you said a sterling example of 195 00:09:08,366 --> 00:09:10,960 selfless service for others to emulate 196 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,260 as a veteran of the Afghan war . I am 197 00:09:16,260 --> 00:09:18,482 especially grateful for all that you've 198 00:09:18,482 --> 00:09:22,260 done and my thoughts are with those 199 00:09:22,270 --> 00:09:24,750 fallen warriors and their families . 200 00:09:27,140 --> 00:09:29,990 Now , as most of you know , Romania is 201 00:09:29,990 --> 00:09:32,340 one of a handful of NATO allies that 202 00:09:32,340 --> 00:09:35,690 host a significant number of us 203 00:09:35,690 --> 00:09:39,590 rotational forces and we are enormously 204 00:09:39,590 --> 00:09:42,330 grateful for your support and your 205 00:09:42,330 --> 00:09:45,670 commitment . Later today , I'll get a 206 00:09:45,670 --> 00:09:47,890 chance to visit our forces at MK 207 00:09:47,890 --> 00:09:51,260 Airbase And see Firsthand the 208 00:09:51,260 --> 00:09:53,370 outstanding relationship between our 209 00:09:53,380 --> 00:09:57,340 two militaries . Now , this 210 00:09:57,340 --> 00:10:00,140 year marks a decade since we signed a 211 00:10:00,140 --> 00:10:03,360 Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration 212 00:10:04,340 --> 00:10:06,229 and the ballistic missile Defense 213 00:10:06,229 --> 00:10:09,940 Agreement . It also marks five years 214 00:10:09,940 --> 00:10:13,250 since we established europe's first and 215 00:10:13,260 --> 00:10:17,060 only operational Egypt's assure site in 216 00:10:17,060 --> 00:10:20,820 Romania when it comes to 217 00:10:20,820 --> 00:10:24,030 defense Romania has made great strikes . 218 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:26,870 It has replaced its older equipped 219 00:10:26,870 --> 00:10:30,170 military equipment . It has focused its 220 00:10:30,180 --> 00:10:34,080 efforts on NATO interoperability and it 221 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:35,920 has strengthened its defense 222 00:10:35,930 --> 00:10:37,730 institutions and military 223 00:10:37,730 --> 00:10:41,140 infrastructure while bolstering its 224 00:10:41,140 --> 00:10:43,450 cyber defenses and deepening 225 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:45,860 intelligence cooperation . 226 00:10:47,940 --> 00:10:50,020 All these themes are captured in the 227 00:10:50,020 --> 00:10:52,580 10-year roadmap for defense cooperation 228 00:10:52,580 --> 00:10:55,670 that we signed last year . And MR 229 00:10:55,670 --> 00:10:58,740 Minister I look forward to working with 230 00:10:58,740 --> 00:11:00,860 you to further implement this plan 231 00:11:03,340 --> 00:11:05,229 Now we also spent some time today 232 00:11:05,229 --> 00:11:07,396 discussing the importance of deepening 233 00:11:07,396 --> 00:11:09,960 cooperation among our black sea allies 234 00:11:10,910 --> 00:11:12,850 and partners to deter and defend 235 00:11:12,850 --> 00:11:15,780 against Russian . My lying activities 236 00:11:15,790 --> 00:11:19,590 in the region as I mentioned during my 237 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:23,350 visit to keep the United States will 238 00:11:23,350 --> 00:11:26,620 continue to provide assistance to 239 00:11:26,620 --> 00:11:28,860 enhance the maritime capabilities of 240 00:11:28,860 --> 00:11:32,530 Romania , Bulgaria , Ukraine and 241 00:11:32,530 --> 00:11:35,560 Georgia in support of these efforts 242 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,087 and also like to acknowledge Romania's 243 00:11:40,087 --> 00:11:42,142 leadership in the region in securing 244 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:44,696 it's critical infrastructure against 245 00:11:44,696 --> 00:11:47,900 malign actors especially Your 5G 246 00:11:47,900 --> 00:11:49,970 security law which not only protects 247 00:11:49,970 --> 00:11:53,470 Romania but strengthens our collective 248 00:11:53,470 --> 00:11:57,310 defense . MR Minister 249 00:11:57,310 --> 00:12:00,060 is great uh to get to visit in person 250 00:12:01,140 --> 00:12:03,251 and I'm looking forward to seeing you 251 00:12:03,251 --> 00:12:05,473 as well as our other NATO colleagues in 252 00:12:05,473 --> 00:12:08,020 brussels for our first in person NATO 253 00:12:08,020 --> 00:12:10,187 defense ministerial since the start of 254 00:12:10,187 --> 00:12:13,490 the pandemic . Thanks again sir for 255 00:12:13,490 --> 00:12:17,040 your hospitality And so with that we'll 256 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,460 take some questions . Thank you so much 257 00:12:19,470 --> 00:12:21,330 college your knowledge 17 petrol 258 00:12:21,330 --> 00:12:24,080 scooters unit the responsible viruses 259 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:25,969 recommend to represent us . She's 260 00:12:25,969 --> 00:12:25,940 saying the 261 00:12:30,700 --> 00:12:31,700 resources . 262 00:12:33,930 --> 00:12:36,220 Morning sir , my name is Adrian , 263 00:12:36,220 --> 00:12:38,910 pretty sure I'm with Romanian public tv 264 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:41,450 secretary austin in the last years . 265 00:12:41,460 --> 00:12:44,030 United States government invested a lot 266 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:47,950 in at least two big air base 267 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:51,880 in Romania . Will the United States 268 00:12:51,890 --> 00:12:55,360 increase its military presence here 269 00:12:55,740 --> 00:12:58,260 in near future sir ? Thank you mm . 270 00:12:59,940 --> 00:13:03,600 Well uh as you know , we are 271 00:13:03,610 --> 00:13:05,777 currently looking at our force posture 272 00:13:05,777 --> 00:13:09,230 uh and where are resources are deployed 273 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,570 around the globe ? I think our posture 274 00:13:12,570 --> 00:13:14,760 in the region continues to present a 275 00:13:14,770 --> 00:13:17,140 credible threat against Russia and it 276 00:13:17,150 --> 00:13:19,950 enables NATO forces to operate more 277 00:13:19,950 --> 00:13:23,360 effectively should deterrence fails . 278 00:13:24,140 --> 00:13:26,140 And I think this is born out of our 279 00:13:26,140 --> 00:13:28,251 commitment to sustaining a rotational 280 00:13:28,251 --> 00:13:31,790 US uh force presence . Uh We continue 281 00:13:31,790 --> 00:13:34,620 to have about 1000 rotational forces in 282 00:13:34,620 --> 00:13:38,190 Romania including heavy infantry 283 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:42,070 rotary assets enablers . And and 284 00:13:42,070 --> 00:13:43,959 as you heard me mention earlier , 285 00:13:43,959 --> 00:13:46,190 europe's first and only operational 286 00:13:46,190 --> 00:13:50,190 Egypt's ashore . Ah Well I 287 00:13:50,190 --> 00:13:52,246 don't have any announcements to make 288 00:13:52,246 --> 00:13:55,000 today . Uh I would just say that we 289 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,700 often surge more U . S . Forces into 290 00:13:58,700 --> 00:14:00,870 into the country from time to time to 291 00:14:00,870 --> 00:14:03,780 participate in exercises and we can 292 00:14:03,780 --> 00:14:06,030 look to see those kinds of activities 293 00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:09,920 continue . Yeah , thank you . Mr Henley 294 00:14:09,930 --> 00:14:10,460 Ap 295 00:14:13,740 --> 00:14:17,250 Hi um Minister Tuka . Um 296 00:14:17,260 --> 00:14:20,210 you spoke of the Black Sea as a 297 00:14:20,210 --> 00:14:22,410 critical region and of course that's 298 00:14:22,410 --> 00:14:25,650 the main major topic of the 299 00:14:25,650 --> 00:14:28,700 Secretary's visit . Uh That means 300 00:14:28,700 --> 00:14:31,670 cooperating more with Georgia and 301 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,240 Ukraine , would you favor Georgia and 302 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:38,290 Ukraine becoming full members of NATO 303 00:14:38,300 --> 00:14:42,150 to advance the Black Sea initiative And 304 00:14:42,740 --> 00:14:46,710 uh Secretary um to follow up on 305 00:14:46,710 --> 00:14:48,821 the last question , could you say yes 306 00:14:48,821 --> 00:14:50,890 or no . Whether there's a there's a 307 00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:53,370 permanent base US base envision for 308 00:14:53,370 --> 00:14:56,850 Romania . Thank you . 309 00:14:57,540 --> 00:15:01,450 Thank you sir . Um I will answer by 310 00:15:01,460 --> 00:15:05,270 saying that so far we 311 00:15:05,270 --> 00:15:08,730 have analysed and 312 00:15:08,740 --> 00:15:12,240 also discussed all the 313 00:15:12,250 --> 00:15:16,130 security aspects of in the Black 314 00:15:16,130 --> 00:15:19,880 Sea region and also we 315 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,370 discuss all the developments we 316 00:15:23,370 --> 00:15:26,980 can uh approach bilateral as 317 00:15:26,990 --> 00:15:30,610 we discussed today with Secretary 318 00:15:30,610 --> 00:15:33,230 Austin boston . And also we 319 00:15:33,230 --> 00:15:37,230 have to consider all 320 00:15:37,230 --> 00:15:40,150 the major is taken within the 321 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:43,360 uh within NATO ah 322 00:15:44,140 --> 00:15:47,300 looking specifically to uh what we can 323 00:15:47,310 --> 00:15:50,730 do based on the uh decisions 324 00:15:50,740 --> 00:15:54,440 taken within the alliance . I 325 00:15:54,450 --> 00:15:57,930 would say that uh Romania is 326 00:15:57,940 --> 00:16:01,110 doing , it's based um 327 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:04,520 uh it's best to consolidate 328 00:16:04,530 --> 00:16:08,490 uh its own defense capabilities and 329 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:11,860 also is doing its best to support our 330 00:16:11,870 --> 00:16:15,350 partners from the Black sea 331 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:18,560 areas . So all the 332 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:22,500 NATO exercises all the bilateral 333 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:26,060 exercises with Ukraine Georgia and 334 00:16:26,060 --> 00:16:29,660 Republic of Moldova are designated 335 00:16:30,140 --> 00:16:33,530 to uh support them to help them to 336 00:16:33,530 --> 00:16:37,470 increase their uh interoperability and 337 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,000 uh also to uh um 338 00:16:41,010 --> 00:16:44,740 achieve all the decisions taken 339 00:16:44,750 --> 00:16:46,460 in uh in the alliance . 340 00:16:48,660 --> 00:16:52,210 So regarding our force posture , I 341 00:16:52,220 --> 00:16:54,880 think you heard me say earlier than our 342 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,110 posture in the region continues to 343 00:16:57,110 --> 00:16:59,180 present a credible deterrent against 344 00:16:59,180 --> 00:17:02,750 Russia and should deterrence fails , it 345 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,780 allows us to be in a more in a better 346 00:17:05,780 --> 00:17:08,050 position to operate more effectively . 347 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:10,890 And I mentioned earlier that I don't 348 00:17:10,890 --> 00:17:12,946 have any announcements to make today 349 00:17:12,946 --> 00:17:15,090 and I'll stand by that my statement 350 00:17:15,090 --> 00:17:18,940 earlier but we certainly treasure uh 351 00:17:18,950 --> 00:17:22,760 the tremendous uh 352 00:17:23,540 --> 00:17:25,600 partnership and cooperation that we 353 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:28,360 received from from our partners here . 354 00:17:28,740 --> 00:17:31,690 And uh and we will continue to look 355 00:17:31,690 --> 00:17:33,930 forward to the same types of activities 356 00:17:33,930 --> 00:17:35,430 in the future . Again , no 357 00:17:35,430 --> 00:17:38,030 announcements to make today . Brother 358 00:17:38,030 --> 00:17:42,020 to George . Good Morning Radu Tudor 359 00:17:42,030 --> 00:17:44,100 Antena three TV and Jane's Defence 360 00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:46,267 Weekly Correspondent Romania Secretary 361 00:17:46,267 --> 00:17:48,489 Austin . What is the U . S . Commitment 362 00:17:48,489 --> 00:17:50,860 to the Black Sea region here where we 363 00:17:50,860 --> 00:17:52,916 are confronting a more assertive and 364 00:17:52,916 --> 00:17:54,971 aggressive Russia ? And what is your 365 00:17:54,971 --> 00:17:57,027 evaluation for Romania's role on the 366 00:17:57,027 --> 00:17:59,350 NATO eastern flank ? Thank you . 367 00:18:01,540 --> 00:18:03,596 Well , the security and stability of 368 00:18:03,596 --> 00:18:07,570 the Black Sea are uh 369 00:18:07,580 --> 00:18:09,870 in the U . S . Is natural national 370 00:18:09,870 --> 00:18:11,981 interest and they are critical to the 371 00:18:11,981 --> 00:18:15,030 security of NATO's eastern flank . The 372 00:18:15,030 --> 00:18:17,086 region . It goes without saying that 373 00:18:17,086 --> 00:18:19,086 the region is vulnerable to Russian 374 00:18:19,086 --> 00:18:21,252 aggression . And we've seen that we've 375 00:18:21,252 --> 00:18:23,630 seen evidence of that by ongoing 376 00:18:23,630 --> 00:18:27,070 actions and in eastern Ukraine , the 377 00:18:27,070 --> 00:18:29,910 occupation of parts of Georgia and the 378 00:18:29,910 --> 00:18:31,910 militarization of the Black Sea and 379 00:18:31,910 --> 00:18:33,966 provocative actions in the air . And 380 00:18:33,966 --> 00:18:37,640 it's the um I would go 381 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:39,251 further to say that Russia's 382 00:18:39,251 --> 00:18:41,418 destabilizing activities in and around 383 00:18:41,418 --> 00:18:43,760 the Black Sea reflect its ambitions to 384 00:18:44,340 --> 00:18:48,050 regain a dominant position uh in the 385 00:18:48,050 --> 00:18:50,640 region . And to prevent the realization 386 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,640 of a europe , that whole free and at 387 00:18:53,650 --> 00:18:57,410 peace . And so again , the Black 388 00:18:57,410 --> 00:19:01,250 Sea region is a uh 389 00:19:01,250 --> 00:19:04,930 huh is in the U . S . S . National 390 00:19:04,930 --> 00:19:07,097 interests and uh we'll stay focused on 391 00:19:07,097 --> 00:19:09,152 this and we'll continue to work with 392 00:19:09,152 --> 00:19:11,610 our partners in the region here and 393 00:19:11,610 --> 00:19:13,777 your evaluation about Romania please . 394 00:19:14,140 --> 00:19:16,251 Obviously Romania plays a key role in 395 00:19:16,251 --> 00:19:19,060 the in this region . And this is uh you 396 00:19:19,060 --> 00:19:22,930 know , they certainly hosting 1000 397 00:19:22,940 --> 00:19:24,884 of our troops here and and working 398 00:19:24,884 --> 00:19:28,130 alongside other partners in the region 399 00:19:28,130 --> 00:19:30,760 to to put 400 00:19:31,540 --> 00:19:34,340 promote freedom of access to the Black 401 00:19:34,340 --> 00:19:36,451 Sea . I think I think it's critical . 402 00:19:36,451 --> 00:19:38,507 So we had a great discussion on that 403 00:19:38,507 --> 00:19:40,507 this morning and we look forward to 404 00:19:40,507 --> 00:19:42,729 Romania continuing to play , continuing 405 00:19:42,729 --> 00:19:44,784 to play a key role . Thank you . And 406 00:19:44,784 --> 00:19:47,062 the last question goes to the old news . 407 00:19:47,062 --> 00:19:50,960 Mr James Gorman morning . 408 00:19:50,970 --> 00:19:54,470 Thanks for doing this . Um 409 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:56,540 Mr Defense Minister , the Black Sea 410 00:19:56,540 --> 00:19:58,540 Initiative . I was wondering if you 411 00:19:58,540 --> 00:20:00,707 could just flesh that out a little bit 412 00:20:00,707 --> 00:20:02,818 more , what what do you need from the 413 00:20:02,818 --> 00:20:05,040 various countries in the region to make 414 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:08,510 it a reality . And Mr Secretary , I was 415 00:20:08,510 --> 00:20:10,670 wondering if you'd be so kind as to 416 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:14,270 preview the NATO defense ministerial 417 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:16,430 and how what you've learned on this 418 00:20:16,430 --> 00:20:18,541 trip will influence what you're going 419 00:20:18,541 --> 00:20:19,597 to discuss . Their 420 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:29,320 for me ? Yes . What the question about 421 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:31,431 the Black Sea Initiative and what you 422 00:20:31,431 --> 00:20:33,487 need to have is for you , Mr Defense 423 00:20:33,487 --> 00:20:36,160 Minister . Okay , so 424 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:40,170 we have discussed all 425 00:20:40,740 --> 00:20:44,260 these aspects which are 426 00:20:44,270 --> 00:20:46,560 related to the 427 00:20:46,940 --> 00:20:50,550 very uh comprehensive 428 00:20:50,940 --> 00:20:54,040 uh threats and challenges we face on 429 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:57,860 the Black Sea and in this in this 430 00:20:57,860 --> 00:21:00,670 regard . We as a nation 431 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:04,570 have started since we 432 00:21:04,580 --> 00:21:08,350 our Political agreement was to allocate 433 00:21:08,350 --> 00:21:11,690 2% from our GDP to 434 00:21:11,700 --> 00:21:15,690 modernize our armed forces , which 435 00:21:15,690 --> 00:21:19,290 means that we uh we are very 436 00:21:19,290 --> 00:21:22,360 conscious that Defense starts at home 437 00:21:22,740 --> 00:21:26,090 and we are playing our role 438 00:21:26,100 --> 00:21:29,420 uh in this regard . And all these 439 00:21:29,430 --> 00:21:32,700 bilateral activities are to 440 00:21:32,710 --> 00:21:36,400 identify the other lines of approach in 441 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:39,550 order to see how we complement each 442 00:21:39,550 --> 00:21:42,330 other in regard of uh dealing 443 00:21:42,340 --> 00:21:44,890 with the threats and challenges 444 00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:47,011 challenges we are facing in the Black 445 00:21:47,011 --> 00:21:49,067 Sea . So this is on on hand , on the 446 00:21:49,067 --> 00:21:51,011 other hand , we are doing our best 447 00:21:51,011 --> 00:21:53,233 within the alliance within the european 448 00:21:53,233 --> 00:21:56,060 union , to create those military 449 00:21:56,070 --> 00:21:59,180 instruments which enable us to leverage 450 00:21:59,190 --> 00:22:02,180 all this difficult situation and also 451 00:22:02,180 --> 00:22:04,960 to support our partners in the region . 452 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:10,570 Jim in terms of looking 453 00:22:10,580 --> 00:22:13,520 forward there to our next series of 454 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:15,830 meetings there at NATO . I mean , 455 00:22:15,830 --> 00:22:17,941 there's a no doubt a lot to discuss . 456 00:22:17,941 --> 00:22:21,440 The first thing is to review The 457 00:22:21,450 --> 00:22:24,910 progress on the decisions from the 2021 458 00:22:24,910 --> 00:22:28,600 summit , um also 459 00:22:28,610 --> 00:22:31,220 reinforcing the need to continue 460 00:22:31,230 --> 00:22:33,910 building incredible 461 00:22:34,540 --> 00:22:38,250 deterrence capabilities as you would 462 00:22:38,250 --> 00:22:41,140 imagine . No doubt . We'll talk about , 463 00:22:41,140 --> 00:22:43,360 I hope we'll talk about NATO's role 464 00:22:43,940 --> 00:22:46,090 post Afghanistan and some of the 465 00:22:46,090 --> 00:22:48,460 lessons learned from Afghanistan 466 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:53,290 and uh well also 467 00:22:53,300 --> 00:22:56,070 hopefully have an ability to talk about 468 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:59,360 or an opportunity to talk about uh 469 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,200 our counter current counter ISIS 470 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:04,460 efforts and discuss some things with 471 00:23:04,470 --> 00:23:06,526 with our allies that are involved in 472 00:23:06,526 --> 00:23:09,700 that coalition . So I look forward to 473 00:23:09,700 --> 00:23:12,560 some very , very productive discussions . 474 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,380 Uh and uh let me just say , as we end 475 00:23:16,380 --> 00:23:19,390 here , that I remain grateful to the 476 00:23:19,390 --> 00:23:21,890 tremendous hospitality that we've 477 00:23:21,890 --> 00:23:25,210 received from our partners here , and 478 00:23:25,210 --> 00:23:28,490 also remain enormously grateful for the 479 00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:30,444 hospitality that they've shown our 480 00:23:30,444 --> 00:23:33,810 troops that are continue to rotate in 481 00:23:33,810 --> 00:23:36,360 and out . It's a wonderful partnership , 482 00:23:36,740 --> 00:23:38,962 one that we will continue to build upon 483 00:23:38,962 --> 00:23:41,770 and strengthen . Thank you . Thank you . 484 00:23:42,340 --> 00:23:44,562 Secretary Austin Minister Julia , thank 485 00:23:44,562 --> 00:23:46,618 you so much for attending this press 486 00:23:46,618 --> 00:23:48,784 conference . Uh Dr rashid on your eyes 487 00:23:48,784 --> 00:23:51,007 and K activity that's going to mean for 488 00:23:51,007 --> 00:23:53,340 the more central present ? Well , to me , 489 00:23:53,340 --> 00:23:54,340 most bona . 490 00:23:58,740 --> 00:24:00,050 Mhm . Mhm .