The military reform depends on the resources that will be earmarked for the purpose. The Ministry of Defense’s budget is now 223 million lei, which is almost one fourth of the necessary amount, said Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. “The Ministry of Defense worked out a plan to provide the military men with dwellings. It is to be implemented from this year. When the economic situation of the country improves, we will put forward a bill that restores a number of concessions intended for servicemen, which were removed owing to the present situation. We want the military men to be able to take out loans to purchase homes,” said the minister. He also said that the Ministry of Defense asks for a budget of 0.5% of the GDP for next year and an annual rise of 0.01% in the budget so as to reform the army. “The equipment needs to be modernized. You saw in what condition it is at the military parade. We will be able to maintain it for several years, but the army needs modern equipment,” said Vitalie Marinuta. The minister stressed that the army is an institution that must be maintained not in order to be used, but for being a guarantee of peace when need be. “Only uninformed persons can say that the army is unnecessary. Being a neutral country does not mean we do not need army. Most of the countries allocate much more money for maintaining the army,” he stated. He said he was satisfied with the way the officers of the National Army are prepared. “We encounter problems as regards general education, the knowledge of Romanian, but we have courses for officers in the country and abroad and this year identified possibilities of distance learning. The officers can study for a Master’s Degree at the Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun” without abandoning their work. The military men must be an example for society,” said the minister. According to Vitalie Marinuta, the National Army is cooperating intensely with the armies of Romania and the United States, especially in education.