New Strategy Center participated in the NATO Public Forum in Washington, D.C., a large-scale event organized on the margins of the NATO Summit to promote the values of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance and to discuss current and future challenges to stability and peace. Civilian and military officials from NATO and partner countries, representatives from academia and global companies debated topics such as the situation in Ukraine, challenges in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, the challenges of disruptive technologies and climate change, the link between energy and technology, societal resilience in the war in Ukraine, the means by which Ukraine can be helped to liberate its occupied territories and finally enjoy a just peace.

75 years after its founding, NATO is demonstrating its strength, credibility and cohesion, as well as its determination to face the multiple challenges posed by Russia’s aggressive behavior, its hybrid actions, the cooperation between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. New concrete actions to help Ukraine have been taken by NATO countries, some of which include Romania, such as support for increasing the capacity to protect against air attacks. A good capacity for military mobility is in itself a factor of deterrence and increased reaction capability, an important step being in the south-eastern area of Europe through the agreements assumed by Greece-Bulgaria and Romania, this mobility corridor being vital for NATO. Last but not least, this summit was an opportunity for several states to sign security agreements with Ukraine, Romania signing with Ukraine such an important document for both states, a new proof of Romania’s solidarity with the neighboring state, so much tried by war.

NSC was represented at the NATO Public Forum by George Scutaru, Director General. On the occasion of the event and his trip to Washington, he had several meetings with American and European experts, discussing various cooperation projects, including the promotion of the strategic relevance of the Black Sea and freedom of navigation. “A Free and Open Black Sea” will be a concept that the New Strategy Center will promote together with various international partners and in the framework of events that will take place in the U.S. and Europe. “A Free and Open Black Sea” will allow to promote the strategic importance of the Black Sea region and the relevance of Romania in this difficult security context, as well as to address high impact issues such as freedom of trade, connectivity routes, energy potential, food security.