Defence Secretary strengthens Romania ties and thanks RAF crews
The Defence Secretary has announced initiatives to strengthen security ties with Romania and thanked RAF crews for their work patrolling the skies of southern Europe within NATO.
Typhoon aircraft currently deployed to Romania on Operation Biloxi arrive in Hungary to conduct bilateral training.
Gavin Williamson reaffirmed the UK鈥檚 commitment to the region during meetings with his counterpart Mihai Fifor in Bucharest. They discussed existing mutual defence activity and announced their intention to step up UK-Romania co-operation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding before the end of this year.
They also unveiled plans for the British Army to support a Romanian-led Multinational Brigade (South-East), which is taking part in Exercise Scorpions Fury and is part of NATO鈥檚 Forward Presence in the Black Sea, aimed at deterring aggression in the region.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
鈥淓uropean security is our security and though we are leaving the EU our commitment to our allies remains steadfast. That is why we are accelerating our military collaboration with Romania, with whom we enjoy a strong relationship.
鈥淣ATO is the cornerstone of both our nations鈥� security and this deployment demonstrates the alliance鈥檚 collective resolve and readiness in a world of intensifying threats.鈥�
Mr Williamson discussed last month鈥檚 NATO summit and defence post-Brexit in a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Viorica D膬ncil膬 before flying to the Black Sea to meet RAF crews flying Typhoon patrols as part of NATO鈥檚 Southern Air Policing mission.
The UK鈥檚 unwavering commitment to co-operating on European security is further evidenced by this week鈥檚 deployment of two RAF Typhoons from Romania to Hungary where they are taking part in bilateral exercises with the Hungarian military.