THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

Between the 10 th and 11 th of March 2005, Dr. Gheorghe Fulga, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service ( of Romania) (SIE) had talks in Brussels at the invitation of the Security Directorate of the European Commission.

The head of the Romanian Foreign Intelligence Service met with Mr. Stephen Hutchins, Acting Director of the Security Directorate of the European Commission and representatives of specialized European Union security institutions.

The visit marks an important moment in the development and deepening of cooperation between SIE and the European security institutions. The perspective of Romania signing the Accession Treaty in April this year and achieving full member status on January 1 st  2007 opens new avenues of specialized security cooperation.

During the talks the security officials highlighted the necessity of convening new measures of intensifying the existing cooperation. A special emphasis was put on means to heighten the effectiveness of activities directed towards counteracting current asymmetric threats.

The head of the SIE also presented the progress made by the Romanian Foreign Intelligence Service in its reform process. A special attention was given to the implications for SIE of Romania's “observer” status and the upcoming “full membership” of the European Union. He also underlined that fighting terrorism and organized crime, non-proliferation and countering corruption are the pillars of Romania's National Security Strategy.

Dr. Fulga highlighted the strong determination of the SIE to continue to act with professionalism and consistency to increase the added value of Romania to European security activities upon the signing of the Accession Treaty and to get involved in the reflection process regarding the security culture of the EU.

During the talks a special attention was given to the evaluation of the dynamics of international terrorist activity, with a particular consideration to possible security risks for Romania and the EU. The Romanian and EU officials underlined the need for continuing the harmonization of partnership and cooperation activities directed specifically towards countering such threats.

                    THE PRESS OFFICE
OF THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

Issued on March 11, 2005

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