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U.S.-Romanian Relations in the Context of a Wider Europe
David Bresnahan-McRae
July 6, 2010
At a conference titled U.S.Romanian Relations in the Context of
a Wider Europe, heldon 22 June 2010, experts at the Center for
Strategic and International Studies discussed the past,
present, and future of Romanian diplomacy and politics.
Throughout history, the United States
and Romania have had uncommonly close diplomatic relations. In
1870, the U.S. StateDepartment opened diplomatic relations with
Romania, which marked the birth of the modernRomanian state. Since
that time, Romania has been a strategic trans-Atlantic partner and
staunchally of the United States. It strayed from this path when it
joined the Warsaw Pact in 1955,although Romanian foreign policy
during this time was aimed at indirect opposition to the
SovietUnion. During the Six-Day War in 1967, Romania diverged from
other Warsaw Pact members
by breaking diplomatic relations with Israel. Additionally,
Romania was very cooperative withthe United States during the
Vietnam War, allowing strategic access to the Black Sea.
Since the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, Romania has joined the
European Union and NATO. Independent Analyst Jeffrey Simon argued
that these steps indicate that Romania has
developed and traversed the greatest distance of any EU member.
He highlighted that Romaniais the largest Balkan power,
contributing substantially to missions in Afghanistan and Iraq
andthus continuing its historical support for U.S. policy. Today,
Romania is also the largestsupporter of a U.S. presence in the
Black Sea and has emerged as the most powerful Balkanstate, causing
tension with its neighbors. Recently the Russian company Gazprom
swappedBulgaria for Romania in its South Stream gas pipeline,
drawing criticism and creatingunnecessary competition with its
neighbors Bulgaria and Ukraine. This move, while upsettingRomanias
direct neighbors, has not upset Turkey. Romanian-Turkish relations
are at an all timehigh as trade and diplomatic ties have deepened
over the past decade.
Since joining the European Union, some argue that today Romania
feels more isolated
than it did before its accession talks. Romania is blamed for
the European Unions expansionfatigue as it is said to have
destroyed any desire for enlargement. Others point to Romaniasweak
banking system and unstable credit trends as a major contributor to
the current economiccrisis facing Europe. Recently, Romania broke
from its historic congruency with U.S. foreign
policy by refusing to recognize Kosovo in order to appease the
Russian government.
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In the coming years, Romania will continue to support the United
States and Russia asopportunities for advancement arise. They
should, however, be cognizant of the regions
perceptions of such strong relationships and take precautions to
foster stronger ties with their neighbors. Romania should act with
caution as the country develops diplomatic relations withRussia.
The recent Gazprom deal upset Ukraine, Hungary, and Bulgaria and
led Romania to be
perceived as a power hungry state, willing to sacrifice
diplomatic success in the Balkans for itsown gains. Romania should
also carefully consider its relationship with Turkey, a country
that ison a difficult path to EU accession, as Romania already has
a tense relationship with Brussels.This would be exacerbated by
overzealous support of Turkish interests in this matter.Compliance
with the European Union and improvements to its weak banking system
will helpRomanias wavering reputation in Europe. Romania has the
greatest ability to create stability inthe Balkans and should take
this responsibility seriously when dealing with other countries.
Withwell thought out diplomacy and political interaction, Romania
can create a successful region thatwill be a vital part of the
European Union and the world.
