The Romanian government intends to request a loan of up to $2 billion from the US for the purchase of military equipment and the development of the defense industry, government sources told Hotnews.ro, Report informs referring to TASS.
“Most likely, next week the government will send a letter of intent to Washington, in which it will communicate its desire to resort to a loan of up to $2 billion,” these sources said. “We don’t know whether there will be $2 billion, but we want to get as much as possible.”
Earlier, the US administration announced the provision of a similar loan to Poland. Such loans are provided under the American Foreign Military Financing program. The Romanian side is interested in the loan, including due to the low interest rate - 3%. The consent of the American side must be obtained before October, when the fiscal year ends.
Sources clarified that negotiations on the loan have been ongoing for several months. The Ministry of National Defense is interested in the loan - for the purchase of military equipment, and the Ministry of Economy - for the development of the defense industry.