Romanian FM: Türkiye is key partner in Black Sea security

Romania has built a strong partnership with Türkiye in safeguarding security in the Black Sea, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said, highlighting joint efforts with Bulgaria and Ukraine to maintain regional stability. Speaking to Anadolu on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Toiu said returning to Türkiye for a NATO summit 20 years after Romania joined the alliance carried symbolic significance. "This meeting is an essential meeting because NATO is needed more than ever for its deterrence and collective defence," she said.

Defence industry and Black Sea cooperation

Toiu said interest in supporting the defence industry has grown, adding that Romania aims to become a larger supplier within NATO while creating jobs and promoting economic growth. She emphasised Romania's close cooperation with Türkiye on Black Sea security, noting that joint efforts with Romania, Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Ukraine have made it possible to ensure the flow of grain in recent years. She also noted the strong participation of Turkish companies in industrial infrastructure investment at the 2025 NATO Industry Forum held in Romania.

Türkiye’s role and European path

Toiu praised Türkiye's diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, saying that "Türkiye's role, and that of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in facilitating discussions in the Middle East has been acknowledged in our meetings today." Referring to her meetings with Fidan, she said they consistently discuss Türkiye's European perspective. "The future we envision for Türkiye is focused on its European path," she said. The partnership between Türkiye and Romania has deepened through naval cooperation, joint exercises, and defence industry projects, including the delivery of the CAm. Roman corvette to the Romanian Navy.