The Senate's Defense Committee began debates on Wednesday on the draft law on Romania's national defense. The committee's chairwoman, Nicoleta Pauliuc, stressed that, in the current regional security context, this normative act represents a "strategic necessity".
"In an increasingly tense regional security context, marked by prolonged conflicts on the border of Europe, the identification of hybrid warfare and the proliferation of cyber threats, the debate on the new national defense law is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity. The war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has demonstrated that the continent's security architecture can be shaken quickly, and states that do not adapt their legislative framework and response capabilities in time risk becoming vulnerable," Pauliuc said.
She added that a modernized defense law must "reflect the new realities of contemporary warfare, clarify the responsibilities of institutions, ensure rapid mobilization mechanisms and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and with strategic Allies". "In the absence of an updated regulatory framework, the state's response may be delayed or fragmented precisely at the moments when coherence and speed of decision-making are essential," Pauliuc added.
National Defense Minister Radu Miruta said the law is too important to be treated strictly politically.
"I believe that on major issues related to defense, it would be a challenge for everyone to make decisions by consensus, not by majority. It is healthy for each of us to argue our opinions until we convince each other, giving up on each other. This is too important an aspect to be a purely political issue on this subject, in my opinion. It is a legislative initiative that was initiated a long time ago, and today we are discussing some pages for which the effort and thanks must go to those who worked. I was not among them, but I am the one who is responsible today for the things in these pages to become laws," declared Miruta.
He stated that the Ministry of Defense still has some amendments, because "the threats and especially the experience of the war situation in Ukraine have shown that improvements can always be made." The minister identified six sensitive points in the bill, which require debate in order to reach "convergence."
"The points that probably need more explanation are: expanding the army's powers in peacetime, transferring authority in crisis situations, shooting down drones or other unauthorized vehicles, but this was resolved by the law adopted last year, mobilizing reservists and training the population, the balance of security and civil rights, correlation with NATO and EU legislation," the minister specified.
AUR senator Mircia Chelaru drew attention to the fact that the national defense law should not be confused with an exclusively military law. "The national defense law is not the military defense law. The Ministry of Defense is the integrator," he said.
Debates on the draft national defense law will continue next week, with amendments to be made.
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