The Romanian Army is working close to the ‘critical level’ because of insufficient funds earmarked for the Defence Ministry this year, but despite all, that efforts are being made in order to fulfil internal missions and Romanian Army missions in theatres of operations abroad, Minister Gabriel Oprea said on Monday. “Compared to the budget of 2.3 per cent of GDP that we committed to have when we joined NATO, we now have a budget of 1.31 per cent of GDP, similar to the one we had last year. In this context, approximately 75-80 per cent of the budget is used to pay salaries and pensions and 20 per cent is used to fulfil the missions we have in Romania and abroad. It is very difficult, we’re almost at breaking point but we are seeking to fulfil our missions in the country and particularly those in theatres of operations where the Romanian Army is doing very well and is respected,” Oprea said in Cluj-Napoca. Asked by Mediafax if he hopes to have a budget rectification for the ministry he leads, Oprea answered that he doubts the MoD’s budget will be hiked in a future budget rectification this year.
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