The general approach to security in Romania went through a process of
significant evolution in the last century although the events of 2008 in
Georgia and 2014 have accelerated the process of such evolution.
Strengthening Trans-Atlantic bonds, perceiving the security situation in the
wider Black Sea region as a challenge to Romania’s national security and
the attempts to adjust to the new realities with the available security tools
are the main factors shaping Romanian strategic thinking. The perception of
Russia in this regard is sober and balanced. It has gradually changed from
defining Russian policy in a sensitive manner for the Romania region of the
Black Sea as “a destabilizing factor” in 2010 to defining Russian behaviour
in the region as “violation of international agreements” in 2015.
There is a national and interparty consensus regarding these definitions. The
trending discourses include commitment to support the neighbourhood for
the sake of stability in Romania itself. Romanian governments in their
discourse are shifting into defensive paradigm and their position on both
security and defence priorities and assessment of threats to Romania is quite
sustainable whereas the necessity to counteract Russia’s efforts on changing
the security balance in the direct neighbourhood of Romania remains in the
top position of the security agenda.
Romanian military procurement and security policies correspond with the
strategic documents adopted in recent years and political statements made by
the Romanian leadership. Bucharest’s policies including military spending
are aimed at the improvement of situation, setting closer ties with its allies,
in particular with the US, and ensuring the security and implementation of
Romanian interests in the region.