(ANSA-AFP) - BUCHAREST, SEP 25 - NATO member Romania, which
borders Ukraine, on Wednesday signed an agreement with the
United States for a $920-million loan to modernise its military
capabilities. The eastern European Black Sea nation, which has
gained in strategic importance since Russia invaded Ukraine in
2022, has been looking to increase its defence purchasing. The
procurements to be financed with the loan are meant "both to
fulfil the commitments undertaken as a result of being a NATO
and EU member state and to deter a possible aggression against
Romania," the government said. At the signing ceremony in
Bucharest on Wednesday, US ambassador Kathleen Kavalec said the
loan marked "our shared commitment to ensure peace, stability
and security in the region". The loan -- with lower interest
rates than those at which the Romanian state usually borrows --
will have a repayment period of 12 years. (ANSA-AFP).
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