NATO countries have agreed on a plan worth 27 billion euros to renew the alliance's fuel supply network for its forces in Europe, a step that Romania described on Thursday as 'essential' for security.

Ambassadors of the 32 member countries of the alliance approved this massive project to modernize and expand the network during a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, according to Agence France-Presse.

A statement from the alliance said: 'The investment of 27 billion euros ($31 billion) will lead to the modernization of the existing NATO infrastructure used to store and distribute fuel.'

The alliance indicated that the plan provides for 'new facilities, including pipelines in the eastern and southeastern part of the alliance, and will ensure that NATO forces receive the energy supplies they need to maintain their combat readiness.'

Romanian President Nicusor Dan, whose country's airspace has been breached by drones dozens of times since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in 2022, said the project is 'essential to strengthening security' on the alliance's eastern flank in the face of the Russian threat. Officials said the project will take about 25 years to complete.

The NATO Central Europe Pipeline System was established in the late 1950s to supply fuel to alliance forces during the Cold War. This network extends 5,300 kilometers, crossing Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, and pumps fuel to 29 NATO depots. "); googletag.cmd.push(function() { onDvtagReady(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-4'); }); }); }]