Romania must build closer ties with its Black Sea allies to help it protect from Russian threats energy projects that will make it one of the largest gas producers by 2027, according to a draft National Defense Strategy presented today, Reuters reports.
The EU and NATO member has a 650-kilometer land border with Ukraine and Russian drones have repeatedly violated its airspace in the past two years, and floating mines have been discovered in the Black Sea along key trade and energy routes, the agency reminds.
The offshore gas project "Neptune Deep", which is jointly owned by OMV Petrom - majority-controlled by Austrian giant OMV, and Romanian state gas producer Romgaz, is expected to produce its first gas in 2027, making Romania the largest producer of natural gas in the EU.
The country's national defense strategy for 2025-2030, presented by centrist President Nikusor Dan today, states that Romania will strengthen its cooperation with Turkey and Bulgaria to protect critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure.
"Russia's military actions, its aggression against Ukraine and, especially since 2014, the significant mobilization on the Crimean peninsula threaten security in the Black Sea region, putting at risk the security of shipping and the exploitation of energy resources," the draft document states.
"Strengthening cooperation with Turkey and Bulgaria as allied countries, but also with other (Black Sea countries), is important in this context", it notes.
The strategy, which will be put up for public debate for about two weeks before being sent to parliament for approval, also states that Romania's strategic partnership with the United States is of "extreme importance".
Washington recently announced it would withdraw some of its troops from Romania, and Nikusor Dan said the country is in talks with other NATO allies about potential replacements.
The strategy notes that Romania will consider listing minority stakes in state-owned energy companies on the stock exchange.
Cyberattacks, corruption and weak institutional capacity are identified in the strategy as some of the main risks to the country's national security. A potential delay in the European integration of neighboring Moldova and Ukraine would also increase the risks to Romania's security, the document also states.
The strategy also provides for a drastic reduction in the phenomenon of corruption through coordinated efforts of institutions, including intelligence services, Agerpres reported.
"Intelligence services will participate in the fight against corruption, but not in the investigation and trial stages," the head of state specified, adding that they will only collect data on this phenomenon.
The president also announced that a meeting of the Supreme National Defense Council will be held on November 24 on the topic of the National Defense Strategy, and it is scheduled to be presented to parliament on November 26.