Romania pushes for stronger NATO air and maritime defence on Eastern Flank at Ankara summit
President Nicușor Dan will call for increased allied military presence in Romania and the Black Sea region, as leaders gather in Ankara for a pivotal NATO summit.
Summit in Ankara
NATO leaders convened in Ankara on Wednesday for a summit hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed heads of state and government. The agenda includes defence spending pledges, greater European burden-sharing, continued support for Ukraine, and industrial consolidation. The meeting is the second NATO summit held in Turkey, after 2004, when Romania first participated as an ally.
Romania's security demands
President Nicușor Dan will stress the need to strengthen air and maritime defence and to reinforce deterrence on the Eastern Flank. He will highlight the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine for regional security, including direct threats to Romania from Russian drones. Dan will call for a larger allied military footprint in Romania, building on the country's new National Defence Strategy 2025–2030, which centres on the concept of "Solidary Independence".
Romania joined today in Ankara the Allies who signed the Declaration on the common intention to establish the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, coordinated by Canada.
Industry deals and drone defence
On Tuesday, at the NATO Security and Defence Industry Forum, Romania signed several memoranda on anti-drone programmes. These include the NATO Drone Edge project, a joint procurement marketplace for drones, and the NATO Global Eye system, a replacement for AWACS surveillance aircraft. Interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță said the alliance is discussing the best technical solution for low-altitude air defence. Mark Rutte announced that NATO allies will invest over $40 billion in drone defence capabilities over the next five years.
Allies will invest over 40 billion dollars in the next five years in their drone defence capabilities.
A new defence bank
Romania became a founding member of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), an initiative led by Canada. The declaration was signed by Canada, Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. The bank aims to mobilise up to £100 billion ($134 billion) in low-cost financing for defence investments, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. Romania will host one of the bank's regional offices. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the institution will unlock investment and strengthen the defence industrial base. Foreign Minister Anita Anand noted that the bank remains open to other members.
This is a start, but the initiators probably hoped to get support from more important European players. In principle, with these commitments, the project can become functional.
- President Nicușor Dan arrives in Ankara and attends reception hosted by President Erdogan (7 July evening).
- Romania signs DSRB declaration and several anti-drone memoranda at the NATO Security and Defence Industry Forum (7 July).
- NATO leaders gather for the main summit session; Nicușor Dan addresses the Eastern Flank security needs (8 July).
