Bucharest, December 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: The tenth round of the Romania–United States Strategic Dialogue was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania on December 16, 2025, reaffirming the strong and expanding strategic partnership between the two countries.
The dialogue featured comprehensive sessions on security and defense cooperation, efforts to support peace in Ukraine, and initiatives to ensure the stability, security, and prosperity of the Black Sea region. Discussions also covered cooperation on regional issues and international strategic competition, including economic and research security.
The meetings explored opportunities for enhanced defense co-production, collaboration in energy security and critical minerals, border security, as well as cultural and educational exchanges and the promotion of free speech. Both sides underlined the importance of deepening cooperation across a broad range of sectors that contribute to shared security and democratic resilience.
The Strategic Dialogue built on a series of recent high-level engagements that have shaped bilateral cooperation under the U.S.–Romania Strategic Partnership amid new administrations in both countries. These included consultations between Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on October 8, the sixth ministerial meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation in Athens on November 6–7, and the High-Level Defense Group meeting held in Bucharest on November 17–18.
Participants reviewed progress in strengthening bilateral defense, energy, and border security cooperation. The United States recognized Romania’s efforts to meet defense spending commitments and highlighted Romania’s leadership role in enhancing security in the Black Sea region.
Both sides reiterated their firm support for NATO as the cornerstone of collective defense and the security of all Allies. They underscored a shared commitment to advancing cooperation within NATO and to operationalizing the Alliance’s pledge for Allies to invest five percent of GDP in defense. Romania and the United States also reaffirmed their intent to work closely with NATO Allies to further strengthen the Alliance, including through expanded defense industrial cooperation that contributes to joint security and prosperity.
The United States acknowledged Romania’s role as a key partner in promoting regional energy security. Delegations noted progress in bilateral cooperation that enhances Romania’s position as a regional energy hub while creating opportunities for U.S. businesses. Both countries agreed to continue cooperation to ensure reliable, secure, and affordable energy supplies, including through the construction of Reactors 3 and 4 at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, the deployment of innovative small modular reactor (SMR) technology, and the development of Black Sea natural gas resources in partnership with American companies. They also reviewed steps to unlock the potential of the Vertical Corridor to supply Central and Eastern Europe with diversified natural gas sources independent of Russia.
The two sides committed to sustaining robust educational, cultural, and professional exchanges as an integral part of the bilateral relationship. The United States welcomed Romania’s financial support for the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) high school program, viewing it as an investment in the next generation of leaders. Both delegations recognized that strong people-to-people ties reinforce the protection of fundamental freedoms, good governance, and efforts to counter concerning trends such as antisemitism.
Enhanced cooperation on border security and law enforcement was highlighted as a key element in combating organized crime, human and drug trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism, and cybersecurity threats. Both sides agreed that strengthened information-sharing and security cooperation directly benefit the safety of their citizens and facilitate legitimate travel.
The tenth round of the Strategic Dialogue underscored the depth and breadth of the U.S.–Romania Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to regional stability, collective defense, and long-term prosperity.
