Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, declared on Friday that the approval by the European Commission of the SAFE plan for Romania represents an "important decision for security and economy" and stressed that the stakes are not only the purchase of equipment, but also investments in industry and infrastructure.
"An important decision for our security and economy: Romania's plan for the SAFE Program has been approved by the European Commission. We are part of the first wave of 8 countries (along with Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus and Portugal) that received the green light for strategic defense investments. The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program extends until 2027, and Romania obtained the second largest allocation in the Union, 16.68 billion euros, following the negotiations," Toiu wrote on Facebook.
She mentioned that the money comes in the form of a loan, at a very low interest rate, which the European Commission can obtain thanks to its high credit rating.
"It is a great opportunity to finance our security at much lower costs than those on the usual financial markets. After we approved the priorities in the CSAT and after sending the plan to Brussels, this approval came as a result of an inter-institutional team effort, with coordination through the Presidential Administration, the Prime Minister's Chancellery and the Ministries of Defense, Economy and Foreign Affairs, both in Brussels and in the countries targeted for partnerships, with an essential role from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior", Oana Toiu said.
According to the Foreign Minister, the investments will be made with the involvement of the local supply chain and the money will also go to the national defense industry and infrastructure.
"The stakes are not just to buy equipment, but to invest in Romania, because this plan was negotiated with a strong emphasis on localization. The investments will be made with the involvement of the local supply chain, and that means contracts for Romanian companies and specialized jobs here, at home. The money will also go to the national defense industry for modern protection and technical systems, but also to dual infrastructure," Toiu explained.
The plan includes financing for infrastructure that can be used both militarily and in civilian manner and allows for the acceleration of the completion of sections of the A7 and A8 Motorways, "essential to connect Moldova to the rest of the country and to open new fast routes with our neighbors," she added.
"We are already working to complete the technical stages at the EU Council level, so that these resources can be invested as quickly as possible in Romania's defense and economy," the Foreign Minister also wrote.
The Government sent a statement on Thursday evening that it welcomes the approval by the European Commission of the Application submitted by Romania for financing through the SAFE Program.
"The European Commission has approved Romania's national defense projects, worth over 16 billion euros, through the SAFE program. Starting in the spring, after the agreement is signed, Romania will be able to access this long-term loan, with low interest rates. Among the projects that will have financing secured are the Moldovan motorways: Pascani - Suceava - Siret and Pascani - Iasi - Ungheni," Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Thursday.
President Nicusor Dan said on Friday that the European Commission's decision to approve Romania's application for funding through the SAFE instrument is very good news, being a strategic opportunity to accelerate the necessary investments in revitalizing the national defense industry.
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