site.btaBucharest Nine, Nordic Allies Issue a Joint Statement, Define Defence of Eastern Flank as Common Commitment

Representatives of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic Allies issued a joint statement, defining Wednesday's Summit in the Romanian capital as a shared commitment to strengthening security and defence cooperation across NATO's Eastern Flank. They noted that the transatlantic bond remains the backbone of collective security.

"United in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia, we are further scaling up our contributions to our collective defence. We are shouldering greater responsibilities through enhanced burden sharing and increased defence investments, as Allies work towards the 5% of GDP commitment," the statement, published on the official website of the Romanian President's administration, reads.

It is noted that significant progress has been made across the Alliance to date, with some Allies already reaching or exceeding their defence investment target.

"Russia is and will remain the most significant, long-term and direct threat to Allies’ security. In light of the threat environment, NATO must focus on the core task of collective defence, including through a robust forward defence posture. We remain committed to ensuring that NATO’s defence plans are fully resourced, and to delivering on capability targets, military mobility and enablement, including the extension of NATO’s fuel pipeline system to the Eastern Flank," the statement added.

Participants condemned Russia's "highly confrontational actions" against Allies and partners, including sabotage, cyber-attacks, and a wide range of hybrid attacks and destabilizing activities.

"Repeated airspace violations on the Eastern Flank underscore the urgent need to continue strengthening NATO’s air and missile defence, including against UAS threats," the position reads.

Representatives of the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic Allies also stated that they remain committed to protecting critical maritime infrastructure and to upholding freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law, including the law of the sea. The representatives also reaffirmed their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

"We stand by our decisions on Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as reflected in previous NATO Summits. We strongly reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine, as this support is also an investment in our own security, while recognizing Ukraine’s growing contribution to wider security. We remain committed to meeting Ukraine’s most urgent defence needs through all available means and instruments, including NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative," the statement adds.

Concern was also expressed about the situation in the Middle East with full support shown for the efforts of Allies to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.