Romania and its Defense Strategy
Romania has a new defense strategy, which will be submitted to Parliament for approval.
Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 14 Iunie 2015, 10:21
"A strong Romania in Europe and the world" is the subtitle of Romania's national defense strategy, which the country's Supreme Defense Council will send to Parliament for approval. At the end of a Council meeting on Tuesday, president Klaus Iohannis provided some details:
"My vision is that of a strong Romania in Europe and the world, which in my opinion means three things: a state that defends its citizens, wherever they are; a state that defends its values, interests and symbols, as well as its national goods and natural resources and which makes education and healthcare its priorities; and thirdly, a state that contributes to maintaining collective security alongside its partners and to promoting democracy and freedom. All these require from our part continuity in terms of our commitments and predictability in terms of our actions. Continuity and predictability will make us a credible and reliable country in this very complicated region."
According to president Iohannis, Romania's defense strategy also entails a new concept, that of 'extended security'. The president explained:
"National security is not only about defense; it also has to do with public order, the economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment and culture, all of which have an impact on national security."
The new strategy reaffirms the importance of Romania's strategic partnership with the US and its NATO and European Union membership as pillars of the country's foreign and security policy. As proof of its involvement in the European project, Bucharest will propose, at the upcoming meeting of the European Council this month, the creation of a new common security strategy. On a domestic level, the strategy provides for the continuation, in 2015, of the army's restructuring and modernization process and its provision with new equipment by 2027.
Ahead of the meeting of the country's Supreme Defense Council, president Iohannis had consultations with the representatives of the parliamentary parties. Initiated in February, the consultation process also included talks with civil society and the academic community. The conclusion in Bucharest is that an effective strategy must start from the consolidation of democratic and security processes at home and continue with the compliance with the strategic commitments taken as part of NATO and the European Union.
