“[E]astern flank countries are determined to play a quite important role within NATO structures, and we also want to underscore the importance of the eastern flank in the continuously changing geopolitical situation. (…) We want to point out that the geo-strategic importance of the eastern flank is not decreasing, but further stays extremely high…”

“We believe that the eastern flank is perhaps more important than ever and we want to emphasize this. (…) We don’t want NATO to shift attention from the eastern flank anywhere else, we want it to stay focused on this flank, which, no matter if it is the first, the second or tenth item in the news bulletin, is an area of concern for NATO and not just for the countries in the eastern flank of the Alliance. The exercises that have been and are being conducted this year show this concern exists. We want to draw attention that this concern cannot and shouldn’t be just temporary, tactical, but must be linked to geopolitics and NATO’s strategy…”

Excerpts from statements by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, November 3, 2015.

Image: Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Nov. 4, 2015 (photo: Office of the President of Romania)