Romania is a steadfast friend and ally of the United States and the defense cooperation between the two countries is becoming even more important in the wake of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (on the left) said on Thursday.

He had a joint press conference with Romanian defense minister Mircea Dusa (on the right) after the visit they made at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base and aboard of the USS Vella Gulf ship, on June 5, 2014. The U.S. warship is stationed for a few days in the Black Sea port of Constanta, in Eastern Romania, as part of the increased U.S. presence in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region.

“The U.S. has maintained a regular naval presence in the Black Sea since mid-March, with the USS Truxton, the USS Donald Cook and the USS Taylor all conducting port calls in Romania, and we will sustain this tempo going forward,” Hagel said.

His visit to Romania is the first made by an US Defense Secretary since 2004, when Romania joined NATO. It comes just weeks after high profile U.S. visit to Romania, that of Vice President Joe Biden. This shows a growing interest for the region from Washington officials, in the context of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and conflict in Ukraine.

“I wanted to visit Romania to make clear that the United States appreciates Romania’s contributions to security in the region and around the world,” Hagel said. “Romanian troops served with honor in Iraq. Some 1,200 remain deployed in Afghanistan, and the United States is grateful for Romania’s steadfast commitment to the NATO mission there, especially as your nation marks 10 years of NATO membership. America recognizes the sacrifices of Romanian troops - and their families - over the past decade of war.”

He added that Romania continues to provide critical support for shared strategic objectives by permitting U.S. and coalition troops to transit in and out of Afghanistan through MK Air Base. “Well over 50,000 U.S. troops transited MK (Mihail Kogalniceanu – e.n.) in the first 100 days of operations, and later today, I look forward to seeing the full scope of our operations at MK, which includes soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.”

MK Air Base will remain essential for the new phase of efforts in Afghanistan when the current mission concludes there at year’s end the secretary said.“It also demonstrates the United States’ and Romania’s broader defense cooperation, which is becoming even more important in the wake of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Minister Dusa and I discussed those actions and the situation in Ukraine.”

At a NATO defense ministers conference in Brussels earlier this week, Hagel said, he reaffirmed America's commitment to the collective security of all NATO allies. He also noted that President Barack Obama, who visited neighboring Poland this week, announced that he will ask Congress for up to USD 1 billion to enhance the readiness of U.S. and allied forces in Europe, including more U.S. troop rotations for exercises and training and a stronger presence of U.S. ships in the Black Sea.

As United States increases its commitments to European security, it wants European allies to do the same, Hegel pointed out. “Romania has already decided to increase investment in its defense enterprise,” he added. “The United States also appreciates the kinds of investments Romania is making in infrastructure, advanced capabilities, and modernization.”

One important example of Romania's increased defense investments is its purchase of F-16 fighter jets, Hagel said, noting that Romania already has had several training engagements with the United States and Portugal in preparation for receiving the F-16s. “As I told the minister,” he said, “the United States intends to continue working with Romania to strengthen its military aviation capabilities. Having seen the results of America’s joint Aviation Detachment in Poland, I hope to begin similar cooperation between the U.S., Poland and Romania.”

During his visit to Constanta, Hagel also met with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: US Embassy Bucharest)