Romania Considers it Important to Co-operate with Azerbaijan in Ensuring Europe’s Energy Security Romania Considers it Important to Co-operate with A

Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. TrendCapital U.Ismaylova / The Government of Romania considers it important to co-operate with Azerbaijan in ensuring the energy security of Europe, said Romania’s Deputy Minister of Economy of Finance, Viroel Palashka, at the meeting with the Administration of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Industry and Energy, Rasim Mammadov.

According to Palashka, Romania is holding talks with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. During the meeting in Baku, the parties discussed the realization of the Trans-Caspian pipeline and Nabucco project, as well as Romania’s role in realizing the project and prospects of co-operation within the areas of manufacturing oil machinery and oil and gas production.

The Romanian delegation also included the Vice President of Romgz, Luchian Stanchi, Deputy Director of Petrom, Dorin Brau, Director General of Konpet, Livin Ilashu, Director General of Oil Terminal, Viores Sorin Uiutirenai, Director General of Armahkgaz, Mirchea Veschan, Director General of Transgaz, Ioan Rusi.

Romania signs delayed order for seven Alenia Aeronautica C-27J transports

Romania will receive its first of seven Alenia Aeronautica C-27J Spartan tactical transports in late 2008, following the delayed confirmation of a €217 million ($318 million) deal. Signed in Bucharest on 7 December, the contract also covers the provision of pilot training and logistics support services, plus the delivery of a flight simulator, says the Finmeccanica company.

The C-27J was selected in November 2006 to replace the Romanian air force’s Antonov An-24/26s. Bucharest had initially hoped to begin acceptance trials with its first Spartan this month, but contract signature was delayed by almost a year following a legal challenge mounted by losing bidder EADS Casa, which had offered its C-295 to meet the requirement.

Romania’s final confirmation of the deal makes it the sixth nation to order the C-27J, with 12 having been delivered so far to Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Lithuania, according to Flight’s MiliCAS database. The type has also been selected for the US Air Force/Army Joint Cargo Aircraft project, and Alenia Aeronautica says its order book for the type now stands at 117.