Ilie Bolojan’s visit to Berlin
In Berlin, Romania and Germany have signed a major agreement to ramp up defense cooperation and boost German investment in Romania
Sorin Iordan, 29.01.2026, 14:00
The two countries have inked a memorandum on defense collaboration, with Bucharest set to purchase military equipment through the European SAFE defense instrument, receiving around €16 billion from the European Commission.
To seal the deal, Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Defense Minister Radu Miruță traveled to Berlin for talks with their German counterparts. Prime Minister Bolojan emphasized that Romania and Germany share a vision for restoring peace and security in the Black Sea region. He praised Germany’s support for Romania’s air defense and highlighted the strategic importance of Moldova’s security.
“I presented the Chancellor with our objectives and actions for defending the eastern flank and ensuring security in the Black Sea area. Air defense is one of our top priorities, and Germany’s contribution is vital and appreciated. Regarding Ukraine, we support all efforts for lasting peace. For Romania, Moldova is a strategic priority. The stability of Chișinău and its European path matter for the whole region”.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded that Romania and Germany stand together in supporting Ukraine – politically, financially and militarily. He noted that the new memorandum on arms exports shows both countries are taking joint responsibility for Europe’s security. Merz added that the two nations are linked not only in defense, but also through numerous German companies active in Romania, investing, creating jobs, and helping modernize the Romanian economy.
After signing the memorandum, Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță explained that military equipment will be purchased jointly with other European states, bringing several advantages:
“Cooperation between the two countries in the defense industry will mean technology transfer and the advantage of joint procurement. Joint procurement means a lower price—for some of the products Romania has included as joint purchases, Germany is the lead country managing these acquisitions—which will mean a lower price and we expect a shorter delivery time for the products we need”.
Another benefit is that European countries use the same systems within NATO, improving maintenance and cutting costs, as German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pointed out. He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to defending Romanian territory as part of NATO’s efforts.
This week, Romania’s Defense Ministry published the 21 army procurement projects to be carried out under the SAFE program. Eleven of these are exclusively for Romania, while ten will be joint purchases with other states, mostly with Germany and France. (VP)
