In a speech before Defense Ministry officials on Tuesday, Romanian President Traian Basescu took the international coalition mission in Iraq for NATO mission. Speaking about Romanian troops deployed in Iraq, Basescu declared that they are part of a NATO mission even though NATO does not have any mission in Iraq.

Basescu stood corrected by Defense Minister Teodor Melescanu who quipped that Romanian troops in Iraq are under the coordination of the International Coalition. Romania's President, Traian Basescu attended a meeting at the Defense Ministry together with PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu.