“There is no difference between the Romanian and American military”

The Commander of the South-East Multinational Corps (MNC-SE), Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan, is in charge of one of the most strategic NATO structures, which has consolidated Sibiu as a point of reference on the map of Europe in terms of military security. By establishing the MNC-SE, the Alliance acquired “a unitary approach on the entire flank”, from north to south, to deal with potential threats, said Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan in an interview with AGERPRES.

Appreciating that the main threats facing Romania and NATO are the war started by Russia in Ukraine and the terrorist attacks, Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan emphasized the difficulty of estimating when and how the conflict in Ukraine will be ended.

With extensive experience, including in theaters of operations, the MNC-SE commander highlighted the professionalism of the Romanian military, comparable to that of their American colleagues, being highly appreciated by NATO commanders. Also, Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan emphasized the sacrifice of the Romanian soldiers and their families.

In the interview given to AGERPRES, Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan emphasized the importance of the South-East Multinational Corps Command for NATO, highlighting that it represents a crucial element in ensuring security on the entire flank of the Alliance. By creating the MNC-SE, NATO has strengthened its ability to respond unitedly to security threats from north to south.

Regarding the current challenges, Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan singled out the war in Ukraine as one of the biggest threats, stressing the need to continue the support given to Ukraine by NATO. He also mentioned the importance of countering the terrorist threat, stressing the crucial role of a united approach and constant preparation.

“During the training period, there are those that you assume by swearing an oath to the country, which also means assuming the fact that you will, at some point, be away from your family. But back to the mission, the training period is extremely important. Why, because there you learn to rely on the colleague on the left, on the right or on the order given or received. You know that the order will be executed and you know that by doing so you will not put the soldier’s life in danger. But at the same time I take care of myself and my colleagues, so that I can fulfill my mission. In the missions in Afghanistan in 2010, with the 812th Infantry Battalion from Bistrita, as chief of staff and in the one in 2012 with the 32nd Infantry Battalion from Timisoara as commander, we, the Romanian soldiers, fought side by side with the soldiers allies. Within the Alliance, I did not see any difference between the Romanian and the American military. They are just as professional, just as good comrades, just as dedicated since the training period, because any mission is executed based on a stage of preparation. (…) And I was successful. And, I repeat, I didn’t see any difference. On the contrary. I think the Romanians were appreciated by the NATO commanders for the professionalism they showed.” declared the Head of the NATO Command in Sibiu.

In the context of Romania’s 20 years of NATO membership, Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan recognized the sacrifices made by the Romanian military in theaters of operations and Romania’s significant contribution to strengthening Euro-Atlantic security. Appreciating the adaptability and professionalism of the Romanian military, the major general emphasized the importance of constant training and modern equipment in maintaining the operational capacity of the Romanian armed forces and the Alliance.

In conclusion, Major General Cristian-Daniel Dan emphasized the essential role of the South-East Multinational Corps Command in consolidating security and stability on NATO’s south-eastern flank, highlighting Romania’s contribution to strengthening the Alliance and the need for a united approach to the challenges of security.