President Nicu\u0219or Dan announced on Thursday, July 23, that following more than five years of negotiations, NATO approved the eastward expansion of its fuel pipeline network, a strategic result for Romania.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alliance will fund the expansion with EUR 27 billion over the next 20 years, of which Romania will receive EUR 2.15 billion. The new network will also cross Romanian territory, will have both military and civilian uses, and will create important opportunities for the Romanian economy and companies.<\/p>\n
“Romania achieves an important strategic result within NATO. After more than five years of negotiations, the Alliance has approved the eastward expansion of NATO\u2019s fuel pipeline network, an essential project for strengthening security and military mobility on the Eastern Flank. The decision also comes as a result of lessons learned after Russia invaded Ukraine, which demonstrated how important logistical infrastructure is for collective defense,\u201d the president said on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Romania has been actively involved from the very beginning in the negotiation, through the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defence, and Romania\u2019s Delegation to NATO, according to the head of state.<\/p>\n \u201cThis project strengthens Romania\u2019s role as a frontline allied state on the Black Sea and enhances our country\u2019s strategic connectivity with NATO allies,\u201d Dan said.<\/p>\n Specifically, the NATO Fuel Supply Chain Capability Program will modernize NATO\u2019s existing fuel storage and distribution infrastructure. \u201cIt will support new facilities, including pipelines, in the eastern and south-eastern part of the Alliance and ensure NATO forces have the energy supplies they need for warfighting readiness,\u201d according to the NATO press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n The investment is part of NATO\u2019s 2027\u20132031 Common Funding Resource Plan, which sets out how the Alliance will invest in shared priorities over the next five years. As part of the decision, Allies agreed the 2027 funding ceilings for NATO\u2019s Military Budget, Civil Budget and Security Investment Programme, raising total common funding to up to EUR 6.5 billion.<\/p>\n The plan also provides resources for priority support to Ukraine, including the NATO Security Assistance and Training to Ukraine initiative and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre.<\/p>\n