Romania will strengthen its role in NATO, with the Strategic Partnership with the United States remaining a cornerstone of foreign policy in 2026, President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday.
He added that Romania will propose to the United States a substantial agenda of economic projects beneficial to both sides, designed to complement cooperation in the field of security and defence.
"To strengthen national security, Romania will step up its participation in NATO policies and invest more heavily in its role on the Alliance's Eastern Flank and in the Black Sea region. Romania will remain a committed and reliable ally, continuing to invest in national defence and collective security in line with the commitments adopted at the Hague Summit," Nicusor Dan said at the annual meeting with heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Romania, held at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
He noted that in 2026 Romania will host, in cooperation with its Polish partners, the Bucharest B9 Summit, will accelerate sustained efforts to establish a Black Sea security hub, and will continue to contribute to Europe's energy security as both a supplier and a transit route.
The president also said Romania is grateful for all the support provided by its Allies.
"We firmly believe that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty remains the backbone of our national and collective security," he added.
According to the head of state, Romania will continue to support the Three Seas Initiative in order to advance strategic projects.
"The Strategic Partnership with the United States will remain a fundamental line of action of our foreign policy in 2026. Romania understands its strategic role in the Black Sea region and will intelligently identify projects that can add value to this partnership. Together with the United States and the riparian allies, Romania can project stability, influence and instruments of cooperation, both in the wider Black Sea and Balkan regions and beyond, towards the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. To expand and adapt our partnership to the pressing needs of the present, we will propose to the United States a substantial agenda of economic projects beneficial to both sides, which will complement our important cooperation in security and defence and strengthen the foundations of our relationship," President Dan said.
According to him, transatlantic cooperation will be defined by defence, energy security, critical raw materials and cutting-edge technologies.
"Within the European Union, Romania will continue to promote unity of vision and action among member states and EU institutions. We will remain loyal to established instruments and policies. We will promote the adoption of an ambitious multiannual financial framework, with substantial allocations for agricultural and cohesion policies. Very importantly, Romania seeks to stimulate European competitiveness and ensure balanced access to funding opportunities for entities in all EU member states, leading to a geographically balanced distribution of competitiveness growth," the president added.
He stressed that Romania will support the enlargement of the European Union, "with a particular focus on the accession of the Republic of Moldova".
"At the same time, we understand the need to be creative and adapt to new global circumstances. Therefore, we will be involved in the process of strengthening the European defence industry through the multiple mechanisms recently initiated, first and foremost the SAFE Programme," Nicusor Dan said.
Romania's European vision, he explained, is "balanced, loyal to the fundamental values underpinning the European project and to the dynamic balance between member states and European institutions, advocating creative forms of joint action".
"We want a strong European Union, strategically autonomous and globally relevant, committed as an equal partner in the transatlantic relationship, with less bureaucracy and simpler regulations, restored competitiveness, and a significant role in the key technologies of the 21st century," Nicusor Dan concluded.
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