Radu Miruță: Romania does not have problems with fuel supply, but a prolonged crisis could become a national security risk.

Radu Miruță, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, stated that, in the context of the global fuel crisis, Romania is not facing immediate fuel supply problems.

He emphasized that, although prices have increased, Romania benefits from significant domestic production, refining 45% of the necessary diesel.

Miruță warned that, depending on the duration of the crisis, this could become a national security issue, considering that energy shortages affect stability.

"Romania does not source its fuel supplement directly from Iran, which is why prices in Romania may have increased less for fuel than in other countries. However, it is very clear, it is a principle of communicating vessels: through that strait passed 25% of the world's oil volumes. They did not come to Romania, they went elsewhere that are now demanding, that are now requesting. Obviously, this problem propagates to countries that do not source directly from Iran. Romania's advantage is that 45% of diesel is produced and refined on national territory. We have refineries, we have significant production, and thus the impact of this problem from Iran is diluted in Romania when it reaches Romania.", said Miruță.

The minister mentioned that there are operational fuel stocks, including for the Army, which could ensure the necessary supply for about a hundred days. He assured that military stocks are separate and protected from specific decisions, to avoid any impact on the operational capacity of the army.

"From what I understood from the Minister of Energy, only in these depots, Romania has quantities for about a hundred days. Cumulatively. But this is information that needs to be confirmed.

The army has its stocks set aside. Imagine that it would make no sense to have invested in military vehicles that at some point would remain without fuel. The army has a separate situation. No matter how ugly the shortage is, by law, military stocks cannot be touched except by a specific decision for such situations. Obviously, the Romanian state, depending on the situation, can absolutely re-decide anything. But it makes no sense to reach the army's stocks, and anyway, before reaching there, there would be other problems to solve first.", explained the minister.

In conclusion, although the situation is being monitored, there are currently no reasons for panic, emphasizes Radu Miruță.