NATO has approved a 27 billion euro project for the expansion of the fuel storage and pipeline network towards the eastern flank, the largest joint investment in the history of the North Atlantic Alliance. The President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, stated that Bucharest will receive approximately 2.15 billion euros for the construction of infrastructure on the country’s territory, reports IPN.

The decision was adopted by the North Atlantic Council, the decision-making body of the Alliance, and aims at modernizing the NATO fuel storage and distribution system, by constructing new facilities in the east and southeast of the Alliance. The project, which aims to ensure the necessary energy resources for NATO forces’ combat readiness, also includes the modernization of a pipeline network approximately 10 thousand kilometers long, built during the Cold War. Thus, the member states in the east and south of the continent will be integrated into the NATO storage and distribution system in Western Europe.

In a social media post, Nicusor Dan emphasized that the decision strengthens Romania’s role as a frontline ally in the Black Sea and enhances its strategic connectivity with NATO allies. Moreover, the leader from Cotroceni pointed out that the new network will create significant opportunities for the country’s economy and for Romanian companies.

The NATO pipeline and fuel storage system was built during the Cold War to ensure rapid fuel supply to allied forces in crisis or conflict situations. The existing network crosses several member states and stops at the German border. In recent years, Poland and Romania have requested its extension to the east, so that the infrastructure gets closer to areas considered high-risk security zones.