Romania’s Foreign Policy after NATO and EU Accession

1409
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2019-63-11-66-75

I. Putintsev (isp90@mail.ru),
MGIMO-University, 76, Vernadskogo Prosp., Moscow, 119454, Russian Federation 

Abstract. The article examines Romania’s foreign policy after its accession to NATO and the European Union. The main directions of this policy are analyzed: relations with the U.S. and NATO, the county’s role within the EU, Black Sea policy, relations with Russia, Hungary, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. The main point is that Romanian diplomacy has broken away with its historical tradition of being unreliable ally and balancing between major powers. Romania’s strategy is to strengthen as far as possible its ties to the United States, especially in the military sphere. It is seen by Bucharest as a means to enhance its own influence. Deployment of American troops in Romania and hosting of the U.S. anti-missile defense system are the main actions in this direction. Interaction within the EU has not been entirely successful for the country. It is still outside the Schengen zone and the Eurozone. The Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification has not been lifted. Relations with France and Germany were not as positive as they could be because of Romania’s declaration of the Washington–London–Bucharest axis. Bucharest tries to increase its influence in the Black Sea region, but faces opposition not only from Russia, but from Turkey as well. Relations with Russia have deteriorated since mid-2000s, long before the Crimean and Ukrainian crises. Turkey is cautious when it comes to Romania’s initiatives to revise the Black Sea regime. In the long run Bucharest seeks unification with the Republic of Moldova, according to President Basescu’s statements. All political forces within the country consider Romania and Moldova as “the two Romanian states”. Romania’s influence in Moldova has increased significantly, and pan-Romanian unionism is on the rise. Hardly can Bucharest change its post-accession priorities in foreign policy. Its image is now similar to Poland. 

Keywords: Romania, NATO, EU, Moldova, Black Sea region, Transylvania, Euro-Atlantic security, anti-missile defense, unionism 


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For citation:
Putintsev I. Romania’s Foreign Policy after NATO and EU Accession. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2019, vol. 63, no. 11, pp. 66-75. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2019-63-11-66-75



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