NATO countries will invest 27 billion euros in modernizing their fuel storage and distribution infrastructure to supply forces in Europe, an initiative described Thursday by Romania as “essential” for security.
The ambassadors of the 32 members of the Alliance gave the green light to this gigantic network modernization and expansion project during a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
This investment of 27 billion euros will enable “new installations, including oil pipelines (…) and will ensure that NATO forces have the energy resources they need to be combat ready,” the Alliance said in a statement.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan – whose country is facing drone incursions linked to the war in neighboring Ukraine – said the project was “essential to strengthen security” on NATO’s eastern flank in the face of the Russian threat.
The project is expected to take about 25 years to complete, according to Alliance officials.
