On 18 April 2012, the Polish Institute of International Affairs organized the closed expert seminar “A New Player in the Region? The main directions of the foreign and security policy of Romania”. 

The main speaker was Dr. Iulian Fota, adviser for national security to the president of Romania. Other participants included H.E. Gheorghe Predescu, the ambassador of Romania to Poland, and representatives of the Polish government administration and think tanks.

Particular attention was paid to issue of the new global order, which, according to Dr. Fota, has been forming since 2008, the year of the Russia–Georgia war and the onset of the global economic crisis. Since that date, many developments, including the ‘Arab awakening’ confirmed a basic change of the international relations paradigm. He called this time “the end of the strategic vacation”, suggesting that one of its results has been the reinforcement of new global players. The speaker stressed the increasing power of China, which soon may pass the U.S. as the leader of the world’s economy. However, the U.S. global position should not decrease but rather will be redefined. What is needed thus is the new thinking about the relations between Europe and the United States on one side, and Russia, China, India, and the Middle East on the other.

During the meeting, the subject of Romania’s foreign and security policy was discussed, mainly in the context of relations with the U.S., Russia, Turkey and the post-Soviet states. Dr. Fota highlighted the crucial role of Romania in backing the European aspirations of Moldova as well as in strengthening the geopolitical position of the Black Sea region. He also said that the current cooperation in Central Europe should serve as a perfect example for other regional initiatives. Dr. Fota put emphasis on the role of Poland, which according to him has made good choices regarding its European and transatlantic policy, and should be one of the leaders of the regional cooperation. In this regard, it would be beneficial to use fully the potential of the Strategic Partnership between Warsaw and Bucharest.