NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived today on his first official visit to Romania since taking up this post, and was received by Romanian President Nikusor Dan at the Cotroceni Palace, Agerpres agency reported, quoted by BTA.
Rutte's visit comes against the backdrop of the official notification by the United States that they are reducing their military presence in Romania and other countries in Eastern Europe, Digi 24 television notes.
Today, Mark Rutte and Nikusor Dan will have a "one-on-one" conversation, after which they will give a joint press conference.
Later in the day, the NATO Secretary General will meet with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bologian, Senate President Mircea Abrudyan and the President of the Chamber of Deputies Sorin Grindeanu.
The NATO Secretary General will participate in the NATO Defense Industry Forum, which is taking place in Bucharest today and tomorrow. The focus of the event is on increasing defense production and cooperation in this area, Digi 24 specifies, referring to the program sent by NATO.
Romanian President Nikusor Dan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will participate together in the forum in tomorrow's program, Agerpres reports.
The Romanian presidential administration informed that the agenda of the talks between the head of state and the secretary general will include the threats faced by the North Atlantic Alliance, in particular on the Eastern flank, as well as methods for increasing Romania's security and collective defense and deterrence capacity.
Agerpres recalls that Mark Rutte visited Romania three years ago in his capacity as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.