Romania To Reduce Foreign Military Mission Participation In 2012

According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the Defense Ministry’s forces deployed abroad will be reduced by 106 troops in 2012, while its home-stationed forces, deployable on request, will be increased by 308 troops. The Ministry of Interior will make 357 troops available to the European Union, OSCE, NATO and UN, who will be involved in the operations in Afghanistan and the West Balkans.

During the meeting, Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea asked for further evaluations of the possibility for U.S. military equipment and personnel to cross Romania on the way to and from Afghanistan, in support of the NATO-ISAF operation and operation Enduring Freedom.

The Council also approved the White Defense Charter, a document drawn up by the Defense Ministry, which will be sent to the Parliament for approval.

The meeting was led by President Traian Basescu and attended by Prime Minister Emil Boc, Interior Minister Traian Igas, Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea, Finance Minister Gheorghe Ialomitianu, Economy Minister Ion Ariton, Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi; Foreign Intelligence Service director Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, Romanian Intelligence Service deputy director Ioan Grosu, Major General Stefan Danila, Chief of the Romanian General Staff, presidential advisor for national security Iulian Fota, presidential advisor Anca Ilinoiu, head of the Department for International Relations, Council secretary Lieutenant General Ion Oprisor and the President’s spokesman, Valeriu Turcan.