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Romanian Military Leadership discusses Black Sea Security with NATO Maritime Commander

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Romanian Minister of Defence, Mr. Gabriel Les, Chief of General Staff  General Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Alexandru Mirsu warmly welcomed NATO Maritime Command commander, Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, CB CBE UKRN, to Bucharest Feb. 2.

Meeting first at the Ministry of Defence, then the Navy Headquarters, the leaders discussed the security conditions in the Black Sea and how NATO Maritime Command can support the Romanian Navy and fellow Allied Navies bordering the Black Sea.

Discussions ranged from ways to optimise Maritime Situational Awareness in the region to training opportunities for both the Romanian fleet and other Allied Navy forces.

"The Romanian Navy plays an integral part in helping the Alliance understand the Black Sea environment," said Johnstone, "their support to Allied Maritime Situational Awareness and work with other Allied Navies in the Black Sea is critical to maintaining a stable and secure region."

The Romanian Navy has hosted numerous national exercises in the Black Sea in which NATO Allies are invited to participate including exercise "Sea Shield" which is ongoing now with some of the ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) amongst other Allied navy independent deployers.

Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand is currently serving under NATO operational command in SNMG2 and is participating in exercise Sea Shield.

NATO Maritime Command leads NATO operations at sea and serves as NATO's adviser and subject matter expert on maritime operational issues. The headquarters for NATO Maritime Command is located just north of London in the United Kingdom.