Romania: The Rising Star of Eastern Europe

"View from the Field"

By Captain Matthew A. Schleupner, U.S. Army

Christmas invokes many feelings across the world, but for the people of Romania, Christmas will always be linked to Christmas Day 1989, when Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed by firing squad.  This punishment ended the reign of communist rule in the country and ushered in a new wave of freedom and capitalism.  

Since this pivotal event, Romania has established itself as a friend to democratic values and to global security and stability.  In less than 30 years, Romania has adjusted its economy to support capital markets, strengthened its institutions enough to gain membership into the European Union, and invested in its security and its internal values enough to gain membership into NATO.  These are large achievements for any nation (think about America 30 years into our Republic), but Romania is not unique in these achievements within the group of former Soviet Union nations; the Baltic States are NATO and European Union members, for example, as is Bulgaria.

What makes Romania unique is its strategic location on the western Black Sea and its continual resistance (both in popular support and government support) against Russian-aligned parties and leaders.  Unlike Bulgaria and Moldova, who have elected presidents that can be described as pro-Putin (or in general pro-Russian or sympathetic towards Russia), Romania has gone the opposite way, electing President Klaus Iohannis.  President Iohannis has taken the approach of letting the Kremlin know that Romania will not be intimidated by Moscow, a bold step in this part of the world, where their neighbors to the north in Moldova and Ukraine both have territories (Transnistria and Crimea) within their borders under occupation with at least tacit Russian support, as well as a fellow country on the eastern coast of the Black Sea (Georgia) having seen areas within its own borders spurred to rebellion with different levels of Russian support or involvement (Abkhazia and Ossetia areas).

Romania has been rewarded for this steadfast pro-West position, seeing increased investment by the United States and western businesses and hosting Trade Winds 2017, the largest annual U.S. Government-led trade mission, connecting U.S. companies and organizations to business and government leaders in some of the world’s most promising markets.  With this support and its own work, Romania posted the highest levels of GDP growth in the European Union in 2016.  Additionally, while many countries on the Black Sea and further west into Europe still rely on Russian natural gas, Romania has cut its reliance by over 60%, investing in its own development and export market.  Romania has the third largest estimated natural gas reserves in the European Union and is now seeking to build upon that for its energy and security independence.  

In the security realm, Romania has consistently maintained defense expenditures at the level of 2 percent, as required for NATO membership.  Romania has purchased F-16 fighter jets and recently signed agreements to purchase Patriot missile defense systems.  Additionally, Romania hosts Exercise Noble Jump under the NATO banner and is a strong ally with the United States in Afghanistan, continually deploying thousands of soldiers in support of operations in Afghanistan and allowing use of its airfields in the eastern areas of the country.  All of this to the detriment of Moscow.  For the Kremlin’s take on Romania, one can just read the negativity in the Kremlin-aligned media in Russia concerning Romania.  

Romania faces its own legacy issues concerning pensions, taxes, and spending.  Additionally, like many countries, corruption is an issue and the rolling back of anti-corruption protections must constantly be monitored.  But Romania is not unique in this regard.  Romania, however, is a model for pro-west allies in this traditional sphere of Russian influence.  

This is why the United States, NATO, and European Union relationships should strengthen their relations with Romania.  In particular, the relationship between the United States and Romania should be strengthened through bilateral or multilateral means.  This vision supports Pillars III and IV of the 2017 National Security Strategy, to preserve peace through strength and advance American influence. By further inspiring all partners in the area, but particularly Romania, through economic investment and commercial opportunity, we maintain our strong foothold in the Black Sea region.  While Romania and the Romanian people have a long history of spurring the advances of Russian influence in their proud culture, without the benefits of American economic, diplomatic, and military leadership in this part of the world, regional leaders may question their allegiances.   

This all follows from an America-first foreign policy, with benefits for American prosperity and security without substantial American financial engagement.  By working with the American business community (in particular with American defense firms) and our allies we can help our  Romanian partner to succeed and to flourish.  Romanian history and current politics have opened this door, let us take advantage of the opening and keep this door open for generations to come.  

About the Author

Captain Matt Schleupner is a Foreign Area Officer for Europe.  He is currently in language study for Romanian.  He has his Masters in Eurasian Studies from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Study, where he studied Russian and the Black Sea region.  

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