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NATO chief describes Romania as "steadfast ally"

Xinhua, July 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday thanked Romania for its considerable contributions to Allied security.

At a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest, Stoltenberg described Romania as a "steadfast ally," stressing that "NATO counts on Romania, and Romania can count on NATO."

The Secretary General commended Romania's strong engagement in NATO-led missions and operations from Afghanistan to Kosovo, as well as its support for partners and contributions to stability in the Black Sea region.

Stoltenberg welcomed the increase in Romania's defense spending and the political commitment to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense by 2017.

Romania will also host NATO's new Multinational Divisional Headquarters South-East, which Stoltenberg called "another important contribution to our collective defense."

Later in the day, Stoltenberg made his first visit to the new NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in Bucharest, one of the six small headquarters being set up across the eastern part of the Alliance to facilitate planning, exercises, and potential reinforcements. Endit