The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania hosted the tenth round of the Romania-United States Strategic Dialogue on December 16, 2025. The discussions focused on security and defense cooperation, regional stability in Ukraine and the Black Sea area, economic and research security, energy matters, border management, cultural exchanges, and free speech.
This session followed several recent high-level meetings that shaped bilateral cooperation under new leadership in both countries. Among these were talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Țoiu and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on October 8, the sixth ministerial meeting for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation in Athens on November 6-7, and a High-Level Defense Group meeting in Bucharest on November 17-18. These engagements reviewed efforts to strengthen defense, energy partnerships, and border security. The United States acknowledged Romania’s progress toward its defense spending targets and highlighted Romania’s leadership role regarding Black Sea security.
Both nations confirmed their support for NATO as central to collective defense. They expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation within NATO and implementing the Alliance’s pledge for all members to invest five percent of GDP in defense. The statement noted intentions to expand industrial defense collaboration among Allies to reinforce joint security.
The United States recognized Romania as an important partner for regional energy security. Delegations cited progress in making Romania a regional energy hub with benefits for U.S. businesses. Plans include continued collaboration on reliable energy supplies through projects such as constructing Reactors 3 and 4 at Cernavodă nuclear power plant, deploying innovative small modular reactor (SMR) technology, and developing Black Sea natural gas resources with American companies. They also discussed steps to develop the Vertical Corridor project aimed at supplying Central and Eastern Europe with non-Russian natural gas sources.
The two countries agreed to continue educational, cultural, and professional exchanges as part of their relationship. The United States welcomed Romania’s financial support for the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program as an investment in future leaders. Both sides stated that people-to-people ties help protect freedoms, promote good governance, and counter antisemitism trends.
Enhanced border security and law enforcement cooperation was also addressed as a means to combat organized crime, trafficking activities, illegal migration, terrorism, and cybersecurity threats. Implementation of key information-sharing initiatives is expected to benefit both countries’ security while facilitating legitimate travel.