Commission Report 2002 (Romania)

• Progress since the last Regular Report
• Overall assessment
• Conclusion

Chapter 27: Common foreign and security policy

Progress since the last Regular Report

Over the last year Romania has confirmed its good track record in Common Foreign and Security Policy and has continued to align its policy with that of the European Union.

Romania is an active participant in the political dialogue established by the Association Agreement and has played a constructive role within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including meetings at the level of Political Directors, European Correspondents and Working Groups. Romania has shown a keen interest in the development of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) as part of the CFSP, and has participated in exchanges on this subject with the EU in the EU + 15 format (i.e. non-EU European NATO members and candidates for accession to the EU).

Romania has continued to align its positions with EU statements and declarations and, when invited to do so, has associated itself with the Union`s common positions and joint actions. Romania has continued to comply with international sanctions and restrictive measures imposed by the UN and the EU.

Relations with Hungary have improved, with the conclusion in December 2001 of a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Hungarian ``Status Law'' with regard to Romanian nationals (the law itself grants preferential status to ethnic Hungarians living in selected third counties). Romania made a positive contribution to the handling of this matter and the tensions noted in last year`s Regular Report have diminished considerably. Good co-operation with Bulgaria has continued and relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and FYROM have improved. There has been no significant change in relations with Ukraine and a dispute over border demarcation remains unresolved.

Romania confirmed its willingness to contribute to both the EU Rapid Intervention Force and to EU civilian instruments for crisis management. It played an active role in the Capabilities Improvement Conference in November 2001 (where it presented an upgraded offer including police personnel) as well as in the EU +15 Defence Ministers` meeting in May 2002. The Romanian President approved the country`s participation in the EU-led police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina that should begin in 2003.

As regards defence co-operation, Romania is an active contributor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan, and in April 2002 the Romanian Parliament approved the participation of an infantry battalion and of a nuclear, biological and chemical company in Operation ``Enduring Freedom''. Romanian troops are members of the Stability Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) and of the Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo (KFOR). Romania has contributed 8 military observers to the OSCE monitoring mission in FYROM.

Romania has ratified the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court. In August 2002 Romania signed a bilateral agreement with the USA on the non-surrender of each others` nationals to the International Criminal Court. Regrettably, this decision was taken without adequate prior consultation with the EU. It does not comply with the guiding principles laid down by the Council on 30 September 2002.

Romania has passed new anti-terrorism legislation, including measures against the financing of terrorism, and has aligned with the EU Plan of Action of September 2001. Romania has also aligned with all EU Common Positions on combating terrorism and has acceded to the relevant international conventions relating to terrorism.

Overall assessment

Romania has continued to play an important role as a regional leader in efforts to strengthen stability and security in South-eastern Europe and has been an active participant in the work of the Stability Pact (co-chairing its third Working Table on security issues during the reporting period). Romania has been active in regional fora such as the Southeast Europe co-Operation Process and the Southeast Europe Security co-Operation Steering Group. Romania was Chair-in-Office of the OSCE during 2001 - a responsibility that it carried out efficiently, effectively and in co-operation with the EU.

Romania has subscribed to the content and principles contained in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, and continues to respect and implement the Code`s criteria.

The officials in Romania`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are well qualified and have the ability to successfully implement the provisions relating to CFSP. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a European Correspondent but does not yet have a permanent Political Director. However, arrangements do exist to assume the Political Director`s tasks in co-operation meetings with the EU and Romania intends to make relevant changes at a later stage. Measures to improve administrative capacity are ongoing and during the reporting period a diplomatic academy was created within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The academy`s main functions are training of Ministry staff and carrying out research in the field of international relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is connected to the Associated Correspondents` Network information system, through which the EU communicates with associated partners within the CFSP.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that Romania should be able to effectively fulfil its obligations in the field of foreign and security policy.

Since the Opinion, Romania has made steady progress in aligning with the CFSP acquis, and its overall performance in this field has been satisfactory.

Negotiations on this chapter have been provisionally closed. Romania has not requested any transitional arrangements. Romania is meeting the commitments it made in the accession negotiations in this field.

Romania should focus further efforts on ensuring that its foreign policy orientation remains in line with the Union's developing foreign and security policy, adopting the legislation on economic sanctions, and finalising the development of administrative structures. In particular, Romania should ensure that its national policies conform to the EU's common positions, and should defend these positions in international fora.

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