Gheorghe Mageru: The strategic importance of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey must be taken into account

Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey are the only Black Sea states that are also NATO members. The strategic value of our three countries must be taken into account as a contribution to security and stability in two areas. Both in the Black Sea region and in what is today known as the Western Balkans, which are in fact our regional family. We very much value the presence of our allies on Romanian soil. We are doing our utmost to strengthen our national capabilities.

This is what Ambassador Gheorghe Mageru, a member of the Scientific Council of the Bucharest-based think tank New Strategies Centre, said in an interview with BGNES.

He was Romania's permanent representative to the EU Council in 2001-2006 and a long-time political adviser at the country's Foreign Ministry.

The diplomat highlighted Bucharest's efforts towards rearmament in the face of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the prospects for rapprochement within NATO.

"At this moment, we see the need for solidarity and cohesion both in the North Atlantic Alliance and in the European Union," Mageru insisted.

"We very much appreciate the presence of our allies on Romanian soil. We are doing our utmost to strengthen our national capabilities. We increased our military budget first to 2% and then to 2.5%," he noted.

In view of the upcoming summit of the military bloc, the expert said:

"We look forward to the NATO summit in Vilnius and stronger security guarantees for Ukraine, our close neighbour. I think we also have the longest land border with the Ukrainian state among NATO members. We are very happy that Finland has joined the Alliance, because in this way we complete the eastern flank from the Arctic to the Black Sea and reach the Aegean Sea.

Regarding the security sector in the Black Sea region, Mageru said that the role of bilateral and trilateral cooperation between Sofia, Bucharest and Ankara is decisive.

"I turn to Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey as we are the only countries with a Black Sea gateway that are also part of NATO, as well as two EU members and one candidate (Turkey)," the diplomat said, adding:

"There is one more thing. All three countries share both the shores of the Black Sea and the security complex in the region, which is currently reinforced because of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Emphasizing on regional cooperation, Mageru expressed confidence that the value of cooperation among the three allied countries should not be put on the back burner.

"We have land borders in the Balkan region which represents an interesting geopolitical complex in which we share so many things - for example a common history. From this point of view, I believe that the strategic importance of our countries should be taken into account as a contribution to security and stability in two directions. Both in the Black Sea region and in what is today known as the Western Balkans, which are in fact our regional family. /BGNES