Russia–NATO relations

The security in the Black Sea region entails serious concerns, Russia being the biggest concern, Defense Minister Gabriel Les on Friday told the international conference Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, which is taking place in the seaside resort of Mamaia.

Romania's Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu said on Thursday that both the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and the European Union (EU) play a significant part in ensuring security in the Black Sea region and in the Balkans.

Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defense system creates "unacceptable risks" for the U.S., a Department of Defense official said on June 6.

NATO is ready to give support in finding a solution to the current disagreement between Turkey and the U.S. on the issue of the Russian-made S-400 defense systems, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said, stressing that potential U.S. sanctions will also harm the alliance.

The head of NATO will pay a visit to Turkey on May 6, according to the Turkish presidency.

Regional and international security and the contribution to meeting NATO's goals were the topics Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu and his counterparts approached within the round of trilateral consultations of the foreign affairs ministers of Romania, Poland and Turkey, carried out over 18 -19 April in Ankara.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis firmly supports NATO's unitary, consolidated and consistent presence all across its Eastern Flank.

Russia's foreign minister on April 12 criticized the U.S. putting pressure on Turkey over its decision to buy a Russian S-400 missile defense system.

,,We consider NATO-EU relations not as a relationship between two competing organizations, but as two complementary organizations'', said Deputy Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov, who participates in the NATO-EU Relations Panel and the Future of the Transatlantic Relations.

Bulgaria's place in NATO, the challenges facing the Alliance and the achievements of the military alliance are the main topics that ministers, presidents, military and ambassadors are discussing at an international conference in Sofia. The forum is organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Diplomatic Institute and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria.