The NATO summit in Ankara was one of the most significant for Romania, a positive development amidst escalating security risks in the region. Particularly noteworthy is Romania’s inclusion in agreements regarding joint military production and procurement, in the context of Turkey’s growing role as a security provider, a part of the ongoing shift of geopolitical fault lines from Eastern Europe toward the Middle East.
This development is crucial for Romania considering our country’s strategic position within NATO’s security architecture and the Alliance’s deterrence position in terms of the Russian threat – explicitly acknowledged in the meeting’s final declaration.
NATO decisions and discussions in Ankara concerning Romania:
1. NATO bank for defense with a secondary office in Romania. Romania is a founding member of the new NATO defense bank, which will have its headquarters in Canada, a European office in Luxembourg, and two secondary offices on the Eastern Flank—one in the Baltic states and one in Romania.
2. Agreement with Turkey and Bulgaria on Black Sea mine clearance. A tripartite agreement was signed to expand the joint mine-clearing program, including the protection of subsea infrastructure – essential in the context of gas extraction from Neptun Deep starting in 2027.
3. The NATO Black Sea hub, from Istanbul to Constanța. Romania aims to take over the rotating command of the Combined Task Force – Black Sea (CTF-Black Sea) starting in 2028.
4. Expanding the NATO fuel pipeline network into Romania. Romania is among the main beneficiaries of the largest investment in NATO’s history (USD 30 billion), alongside Poland, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
5. Romania cited by Rutte as an exemplary ally. The NATO Secretary General noted that Romania made its largest commercial airport available for U.S. operations during Operation Epic Fury and that „the U.S. likely could not have carried out the operation without Europe”.
6. Maintaining US troops on the Eastern Flank. Nicușor Dan stated that he „does not see a risk of US troops withdrawing from the Eastern Flank” and that maintaining US military presence in Romania is one of the bilateral priorities.
7. Expanding economic cooperation with the United States. The topic was discussed by Nicușor Dan with a delegation of US senators within the summit.
8. Civil security hub. Nicușor Dan highlighted the progress Romania has made within the EU framework regarding the civil security hub.
9. The final statement mentions the Russian threat and the Eastern Flank. The summit’s final text makes explicit reference to the Russian threat, Article 5, and the transatlantic bond – direct priorities for Romania.
10. Defense spending: Romania is allocating 2.5% of GDP in 2026 (EUR 8-9 billion), with 40% going towards new equipment.
11. Romania joined the iAFSC (GlobalEye) program – NATO’s future early warning platform replacing the American high-altitude AWACS aerial surveillance aircraft. Romania is among the 11 signing countries.
12. Romania signed the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) memorandum – a training program for fighter jet, helicopter, and drone pilots.
13. Romania joined the NATO Drone Edge initiative – a NATO-coordinated marketplace for the joint procurement of drones and anti-drone systems, backed by a fund exceeding USD 40 billion over five years.
14. Two memoranda on Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD): capabilities against low-altitude aerial threats (drones, loitering munitions) and passive air surveillance.
15. Naval Strike Missile/Joint Strike Missile acquisition coalition – Romania joined the US, the UK and Norway in a coalition for the joint procurement of anti-ship missiles.
16. Romania-Turkey defense industry meeting in September. Defense Minister Radu Miruță agreed with the head of the Turkish defense industry, Haluk Görgün, to organize a meeting involving companies and officials from the military and defense industry sectors.
17. A Ukrainian delegation will visit Romania next month to advance the joint agreement with Ukraine on the development and production of drones.
Neptun Deep will be protected together with Turkey and Bulgaria – Romania is interested in attracting South Korean investments in the military production sector
At the press conference following the official conclusion of the summit, the president showed that he proposed that allies contribute to the Republic of Moldova’s defense capabilities. At the same time, Nicușor Dan noted discussions regarding the growing energy importance of the Black Sea – where Turkey is also set to begin gas production. Consequently, the Neptun Deep field – developed by Petrom and Romgaz – will be covered by an agreement with Turkey and Bulgaria concerning demining operations and the monitoring of critical infrastructure.
„I reaffirmed Romania’s support for Ukraine and raised two important points for us regarding the Eastern Flank: one concerns the Republic of Moldova, specifically our request for partners to contribute to the defense capabilities of Moldova, a neutral state that nonetheless shares Western values, and the second concerns the importance of the Black Sea. Not only from a military perspective but also from an energy standpoint; on one hand, both we and Turkey are set to produce gas in the Black Sea, and on the other, it serves as a gateway for energy from the Caspian region to enter Europe. This is what increases the Black Sea’s importance. An agreement signed with Turkey and Bulgaria during this summit extended demining operations to critical infrastructure, including the Neptun Deep project and its connection to the shore. I also briefed the allies on the progress made with Bulgaria regarding the civil security hub and the invitation for partners to join this initiative – which will likewise serve as a link between Europe and the Caspian region,” stated Nicușor Dan.
The president stated that Romania aims to expand the United States’ presence in the country, including in the economic and security spheres, through American investments, a point highlighted particularly during Tuesday’s meeting with U.S. senators.
The President also met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the discussion focusing on the Cernavodă Units 3 and 4 project and the fact that Romania has developed a series of complementary solutions based on Canadian technology. Meanwhile, the meeting with the President of South Korea addressed the localization of military production facilities in Romania.
„Together, we could take these shared technologies to the global market. We discussed the opportunity to expand economic ties with Canada. We also met with the President of South Korea – a country also involved in the refurbishment and construction of new facilities at Cernavodă. Korea is involved in localizing military production units as well, and we demonstrated the same openness to increasing trade,” explained Nicușor Dan.
Romania has taken seriously the commitment made in The Hague to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of GDP
During the North Atlantic Council meeting, where NATO leaders held discussions, president Nicușor Dan reaffirmed Romania’s firm commitment to the Alliance, outlining the country’s contributions to the key issues on the summit agenda. „Romania honors the commitments undertaken as a NATO member,” the head of state declared, noting that the country will reach a combined defense and security expenditure level of 3.7% of GDP this year. Approximately 1% of GDP is allocated exclusively to new military equipment and procurement.
In terms of decisions and signed agreements, Romania has joined the NATO Drone Edge project, an initiative enabling Allied nations to jointly procure drones. At the same time, Romania takes on an enhanced role in collective security—including through efforts to strengthen deterrence and prevent incidents in the Black Sea region—in close cooperation with other Allies. At the same time, the head of state reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to expanding its role as a stabilizing player in the Black Sea region and on the Alliance’s Eastern Flank: „Romania remains committed to expanding its role as a stabilizing actor in the Black Sea region and on NATO’s Eastern Flank, supporting Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and actively engaging in the Bucharest Nine (B9) format to strengthen regional security and resilience,” the president stated.
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