RSS
DefMin Fifor: we have attained the Final Capability level of the Multinational Division South-East
National Defence Minister Mihai Fifor on Thursday said at the National Centre of Joint Training at Cincu, where he attended the ceremony of declaring the full capability of the Multinational Division South-East (HQ-MND-SE) that the event undoubtedly shows NATO's devotion to the defence of the entire Eastern flank of the Alliance, from North to South.
"Today's ceremony - the announcement of the final capability of the Multinational Division South-East stays witness of all that we have achieved so far as a nation, and also as allies, since the Wales Summit in 2014, which was strengthened by the Warsaw Summit in 2016. On my way to this venue I kept thinking of the way I could better stress the efforts that have paved the way for this day. The answer is made of three key factors: perseverance from both our side and the NATO's, the work of all those involved at all levels, from strategic planning to implementation, and the constant coordination between us and the NATO experts. The entire staff has made impressive efforts since the Activation Ceremony on 1 December 2015, followed by the Ceremony of Initial Capability declaration in July 2016 until today, when we can proudly announce that we have attained the Final Capability level of the Multinational Division South-East," the Defence Minister said.
Fifor specified that on its way to final capability, the HQ-MND-SE has gained significant experience by carrying out several important drills: in 2016: Dacian Lynx and Dacian Lance, it also supported the NATO Trident Juncture 2016 and the Saber Guardian US drill. In 2017 its capability was tested through the participation in the Noble Jump exercise, when backing the Trident Joust drill and again in the US Saber Guardian exercise which in 2017 was the largest exercise ever hosted on Romanian territory even since it has joined the NATO.
"The series of drills goes on in 2018 with the Dacian Lancer to take place right here, at the National Centre of Joint Training, which involves the efforts of rd 900 servicemen.The final capability of the Command is a strong confirmation of the fact that Romania is constantly attaining the goals it assumes, by the allocation of the necessary resources, within the requested time frame and in conformity with NATO's level of ambition. I'd like to emphasise once again the importance of this event for Romania, as well as for NATO. It represents the fact that the command and control allied structures are ready to fulfill their mission and always honour their commitments in an efficient, professional manner and that NATO is on the right track to maintaining its position - that is to always be prepared for its goal," Mihai Fifor asserted.
The Multinational Division South-East, a component of the NATO Structure of Forces is under the operational command of the SACEUR. Servicemen from 15 contributing countries are carrying out their activity within the HQ MND-SE: Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Great Britain, the United States of America and Romania, the country that has assumed the role of framework-nation.
The Dacian Lancer 2018 exercise due in 12-23 March at Cincu is a computer-assisted command drill executed by the Multinational Division South-East.
The ceremony of declaring the Multinational Division South-East full capability was also attended by NATO officials, the Chief of General Staff, Gral Nicolae Ciuca, the US ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm.