Ambassador Gebauer: Germany stands by Romania, requests to withdraw NATO troops must be rejected

Germany’s Ambassador in Bucharest, Peer Gebauer, stated that his country “continues to position itself firmly alongside Romania”, amid the current security situation.

In a press statement, ambassador Gebauer announced that the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) will take part with Eurofighter planes and troops in the measure Enhanced Air Policing South as of mid-February.

“Together with Italy, we ensure the security of NATO airspace, as reliable partners, with a visible and high-quality contribution. This is a clear sign of transatlantic and European solidarity,” the German ambassador to Romania said.

He said that “requests for the withdrawal of NATO troops from Romania and a return to the situation in 1997 must be firmly rejected.”

“We cannot turn the clock 25 years back. Romania’s membership to NATO is an essential achievement and cannot be questioned by third parties. We are very concerned about the current situation in the region. Russia’s attitude is not just a threat to Ukraine but affects the security of the whole of Europe. Therefore, a new breach of Ukraine’s sovereignty would lead to a strong and common European response,” said Peer Gebauer.

In this regard, he recalled that the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, had a firm stance at the meeting of the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs.