Romania’s foreign policy goals
The rapid and unpredictable changes on the international stage have called for a constant adjustment of Romanias foreign policy priorities.
Corina Cristea, 05.09.2014, 12:44
Meeting in Bucharest for three days, the heads of Romania’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad analysed the role and activity of the Romanian diplomats within the current international context. Prime minister Victor Ponta, who attended the meeting, called on the diplomats to present very clearly Romania’s positions on the most important issues of the day, and at the same time promote Romania’s legitimate interests, as well as those of the European Union and its strategic partners. The prime minister said that at the NATO summit in Wales, Romania wishes to see a strengthening of the Alliance’s eastern flank, the consolidation of the strategic partnership with Turkey and Poland, and a better NATO presence in Romania:
“I believe Romania has once again proven that it is a solid partner for the European Union, NATO, and our strategic partner, the US. In a crisis situation, Romania has the opportunity to consolidate this status, affirming it more confidently and with more courage.”
From Bucharest’s point of view, NATO should consolidate its eastern flank, including on Romanian territory, as also pointed out by the foreign minister Titus Corlatean:
“Romania’s positioning in terms of its eastern neighbourhood allows it to become an important player in the efforts to stabilise this region, thus turning a potential vulnerability into a strategic advantage.”
In fact, turning Romania’s possible vulnerabilities into advantages is one of Bucharest’s foreign policy goals, Mr Corlatean explained:
“These goals have to do with taking better advantage of the strategic partnership with the United States, as reflected in political and security aspects, as well as in the economic area. Other objectives have to do with our NATO membership, and right now there is a very serious discussion about the repositioning of the Alliance in order to improve confidence and safety and the security of its eastern allies, by redeploying military security assets on Romania’s territory as well. We are also talking about Romania’s European and domestic interests, but also outside of the EU, for example Ukraine, Iraq, Syria and Libya, because these are closely tied to Europe, as well as the eastern flank which is one of our priorities. As for the Republic of Moldova, this autumn is essential for its European future and destiny. Elections are scheduled in this country, which needs to have a pro-European government and thus obtain confirmation of a clear European prospect leading up to Moldova’s integration into the European Union.”
Predictably, the deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine dominated the meeting in Bucharest, with Romania reiterating its support for Kiev. Here is Emil Hurezeanu, a journalist and political commentator on international issues:
“The conflict in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous phase, and of course NATO and each of its member countries on the one hand, and the US on the other will judge if they should provide more armament in direct aid. The Germans, for instance, don’t agree with NATO delivering weapons, but because Germany is, among other things, the third largest arms exporter, to the sum of five billion euros annually, of course it will be considering supplying arms bilaterally to Ukraine. It remains to be decided whether to continue or end the phase of economic sanctions against Russia and whether they should be accompanied by a supply or weapons.”
Emil Hurezeanu also said that any military offensive in the last few decades, as well as WWII and the Cold War were based on the strategy of mutual deterrance. Today, however, we are faced with a situation that involves much irrationality. Under the circumstances, does the West have a plan for counteroffensive? Will rational means be able to counterbalance irrationality? Hurezeanu says he believes this to be the next major issue in political and strategic debates.
