Meeting of Mr. Sorin Frunzaverde, Romanian Minister of Defense with US Senator Carl Levin
January 31, 2007

Romanian National Radio (February 1st, 7:11)
Minister of Defense Sorin Frunzaverde discusses in Washington with American officials about regional security in Western Balkans, Black Sea area and the Middle East. After a meeting yesterday with Romanian minister, influential US democrat senator Carl Levin, President of the Senatorial Commission for the Armed Forces stated that Romania is one of the most engaged NATO members.
Carl Levin: “We have no better partner than Romania. Romania has made commitments they kept them up, despite controversy, obviously, relative to Iraq. We know our publics are divided on that. And I happen to oppose our being in Iraq, but that does not mean that when countries make commitments they should not keep them. And Romania has kept that commitment. It takes a lot of courage to do that; it’s a very difficult thing to do.“
Minister Sorin Frunzaverde underlined that Romania will continue to respect its engagements towards NATO and the multinational coalition, in conflict areas.
Sorin Frunzaverde: “I discussed with senator Levin about our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also touched upon possible evolutions in the operational theatres in the two countries, Romania’s presence in NATO, as well as the US military facility that will be installed close to Constanta, in Kogalniceanu, during the next months.
(Unofficial translation)