The B9 summit in Bucharest
At the B9 summit in Bucharest, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis pleaded for a stronger NATO and US presence in his country and on the Alliance's eastern flank.
Mihai Pelin, 11.05.2021, 13:50
The B9 summit held in Bucharest was hosted by its co-funders, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and the Polish President, Andrzej Duda. The latter paid an official visit to Romania. The other heads of state attended the summit online, just like the US President Joe Biden and the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. Alongside Romania and Poland, NATO members on the Alliances eastern flank, such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia and Hungary, took part in the summit.
The Romanian President said that the NATO allies on the eatsrn flank must further consolidate deterrance and defense, and reminded the recent events in Ukraine. That is why, during his talk with President Biden, Klaus Iohannis pleaded for an increased military presence in the region. He also said that the presence of the US President at the meeting conveys a powerful signal of trans-Atlantic solidarity and unity, ahead of the NATO summit in June.
Klaus Iohannis: “The worrying situation on the Black Sea showed us that we must stay alert. Therefore, NATO must further consolidate its deterrence and defense posture, especially on the eastern flank, in a unitary and coherent manner, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. That is why I pleaded, also during talks with President Biden, for an increased allied military presence, including of the US, in Romania and on the eastern flank.”
The Romanian President said that Russias destabilizing actions in the region are worrying and fuel a climate of insecurity. In his turn, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that NATO must prove its viability and constantly perfect its defense technique. Also, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said that President Bidens participation in the B9 summit proves the United States commitment to strengthening the Alliance. The NATO summit due in Brussels next month is a unique opportunity to start a new chapter in trans-Atlantic ties, he said.
Participants in the B9 summit signed a joint declaration saying mainly that aggressive actions and Russias increased military presence in NATOs close vicinity, as well as “the aggressive hybrid activities” conducted by Moscow, are a threat to Euro-Atlantic security and a challenge to international rule-based order. Also, the declaration strongly supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. (EE)
