Romanian servicemen will be present in Afghanistan also in 2018, respecting all allied responsibilities assumed

Romanian servicemen will be present in Afghanistan also in 2018, respecting all the responsibilities assumed at the allied level, Defense Minister Mihai Fifor said in Brussels on the second day of the Meeting of Defense Ministers in NATO states. 

"As to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, we have underscored Romania's important role as a significant contributor with troops to the RSM, as well as maintaining the commitment to providing the necessary support to the Kabul authorities to stabilize and develop the profile and capability of the National Security and Defense Forces of Afghanistan. We also mentioned that Romanian servicemen will be present, alongside our allies, in Afghanistan also in 2018, respecting all the responsibilities assumed at the allied level," said Minister Mihai Fifor, according to a release issued by the Defence Ministry (MApN) on Thursday for AGERPRES. 

Minister Mihai Fifor presented the developments recorded in the setting up of the adapted advanced presence in the Black Sea area. It is about the operationalization of the Multinational Brigade in Craiova, the transformation of its headquarters into a NATO structure, the increased presence of allied naval forces in the Black Sea, the continuing air police activities over Romania, the participation of the allies in drills on the territory of our country, the MApN informed. 

The Defense Ministry reminded that the progress made in the operationalization of the Multinational Brigade could also be noticed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the occasion of his participation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly held in October in Bucharest. 

"We also announced that we are in the process of finalizing, together with the Turkish and Bulgarian allies, the concept of the Joint Training Initiative, launched by Romania also under the aegis of NATO presence in the Black Sea region, with its first coordination conference to be held in early December," said Minister Mihai Fifor. 

Fifor reiterated Romania's support for the efforts of the international community in order to fully eliminate the threats of DAESH, the MApN also informs.