An embrace was all it took to dispel rumors of less than stellar relations between Romania and its strategic partner, the United States.
Showing that the trans-Atlantic relationship was as warm as usual, Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu on Friday met with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member states in Brussels.
“A good exchange of views between Minister Hurezeanu and Secretary of State Rubio. Ready to work together to advance our Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our peoples,” the Romanian Foreign Ministry wrote on platform X accompanied by photos.
The meeting and exchange was important in the context of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, also chairman of the Social Democratic Party, making an announcement that he had sent a special envoy to the U.S. to mend relations with the Trump administration, suggesting he did not have full confidence with his foreign minister, who is from the Liberal Party.
A seasoned diplomat, Minister Hurezeanu on Friday stressed that Europe must intensify security and defense at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.
“Transatlantic industrial cooperation, open to non-EU allies, is not optional, but is essential for NATO’s deterrence and defense. A stronger Europe means a stronger NATO,” he said o on X.
A good exchange between 🇷🇴 Minister Hurezeanu and 🇺🇸 @SecRubio. Ready to work together to advance our Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our peoples. pic.twitter.com/Wcq5HWTXYV
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania 🇷🇴 (@MAERomania) April 4, 2025
Rubio stressed that the 32 NATO member states, including the United States must spend more on defense. Washington currently allocates 3.4% of GDP to military spending.
However, the European commitment is smaller, with the exception of Poland, which allocates 4.7% of GDP to defense. Italy and Spain allocate less than 2% of GDP. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is expected to propose around 3.5% of GDP, but no decision is expected to be taken at this meeting of NATO foreign ministers. However, it will be the main stake of the Hague summit, scheduled for June, which US President Donald Trump will attend.
Minister Hurezeanu on Friday also met with his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide.
“Romania and Norway have a solid cooperation in the field of defense. Our countries are determined to ensure security from the Arctic to the Black Sea,” the Foreign Ministry said on X.
NATO Is a Bargain for the US and a Necessity for the Free World
