RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

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.

, 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.

Photo: ckstockphoto / pixabay.com
The Future Starts Today Friday, 22 November 2024

The Future of Healthcare in Romania

  The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that up-to-date health-related data is a critical instrument in effective public health measures and...

The Future of Healthcare in Romania
Photo: ckstockphoto / pixabay.com
The Future Starts Today Friday, 15 November 2024

A Result That Everyone Cares About

The outcome of the US presidential election and how it will influence global developments is at the center of international attention. The return to...

A Result That Everyone Cares About
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
The Future Starts Today Friday, 08 November 2024

Energy Objectives

The European Union’s net greenhouse gas emissions are now 37% below 1990 levels, while the GDP grew by 68% over the same period, demonstrating...

Energy Objectives
Klaus Iohannis and Maia Sandu (photo: presidency.ro)
The Future Starts Today Friday, 01 November 2024

The Republic of Moldova Closer to the EU

The citizens of the Republic of Moldova voted, on October 20, in favor of amending the country’s Constitution to support its accession to the...

The Republic of Moldova Closer to the EU
The Future Starts Today Friday, 18 October 2024

October, the European month of cybersecurity

The European Cyber Security Month is an annual campaign that promotes awareness and best practices in online cyber security, providing information on...

October, the European month of cybersecurity
The Future Starts Today Friday, 11 October 2024

The Pace of Aging

“Youth is about optimism, well-being, and a goal to fight for” – this is the creed that underpinned the work of Ana Aslan, one of...

The Pace of Aging
The Future Starts Today Friday, 04 October 2024

Major plan for the re-industrialization of Romania

For the first time in the last 35 years, a major plan for the re-industrialization of the country was announced in Romania. With a value of 3 billion...

Major plan for the re-industrialization of Romania
The Future Starts Today Friday, 20 September 2024

Energy for the future

    Over the past few years, the European Union has managed to withstand critical risks to its security of energy supply, regain control...

Energy for the future

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company