Romania is discussing with the United States whether it could contribute to the cost of keeping American troops on Romanian territory, but no final decision has been taken. Foreign Minister Dan Neculăescu confirmed that Bucharest has submitted a proposal to the US administration and said the American military presence is a strategic objective for Romania's security.
Speaking on TVR Info on Thursday evening, Neculăescu said negotiations with the American side are under way and that no details can yet be given on the size of any financial contribution or on how the costs might be met. He said the authorities have formulated an offer for the United States, but the talks have not reached a stage that would allow definitive conclusions to be announced. The proposal sent to Washington, he said, must be examined within the bilateral dialogue. Bloomberg has also reported on the possibility that Romania would cover part of the costs the United States incurs for stationing troops on Romanian territory.
Asked whether American troops might be withdrawn from Romania, Neculăescu declined to estimate a scenario that has not taken shape. He said the security relationship between Bucharest and Washington remains solid, contacts between the two sides continue, and the diplomatic dialogue is proceeding in good conditions. In support of that assessment he cited a visit to the United States by Marius Lazurca, the presidential adviser for national security and foreign policy, for talks with important representatives of the American administration, and earlier contacts at NATO headquarters on security and transatlantic cooperation. The minister said he is optimistic about the outcome and that Romania has relevant arguments for its importance in the regional security architecture and for US interests.
President Nicușor Dan also addressed Romania's financial contribution during a visit to the United States on 23 September. He said the Romanian authorities had sent the replies requested by American officials who are reviewing the US troop presence in Europe, and that Romania had proposed a form of sharing the costs of military operations. The Romanian side is waiting for a response from the US administration while the talks continue.
No figure for a possible Romanian contribution and no concrete terms of an agreement have been announced publicly. Those details depend on the outcome of the dialogue between Bucharest and Washington. The stake of the talks is maintaining military cooperation with the United States and strengthening Romania's role in regional security, in a setting where the American presence is an important element of defence on NATO's eastern flank.