Ankara, November 7, 2025 – In a significant affirmation of bilateral ties and regional security priorities, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu declared on Friday that Türkiye's full membership in the European Union (EU) represents a cornerstone for bolstering security across the Black Sea region. Her remarks, delivered during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, underscore Romania's unwavering support for Ankara's long-stalled EU candidacy amid escalating geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.
Toiu's visit to the Turkish capital, hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed productive bilateral talks that spanned defense collaboration, economic partnerships, and humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. The discussions highlighted the deepening strategic alliance between the two nations, both NATO allies sharing a 650-kilometer Black Sea coastline, as they navigate the fallout from Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and broader instability in the region. Speaking after the meeting, Toiu emphasized Bucharest's commitment to fostering an "active dialogue" with Türkiye, particularly as Romania prepares to host the NATO Industry Forum in the coming days. This event, she noted, will serve as a platform to explore innovative defense technologies and supply chain resilience, with Türkiye positioned as a key participant.
The Romanian minister's endorsement of Türkiye's EU accession is not merely diplomatic rhetoric; it reflects a pragmatic assessment of regional dynamics. "We support Türkiye’s EU candidacy. Türkiye’s full EU membership is a key element for ensuring security in the Black Sea," Toiu stated unequivocally, adding that her government is actively conveying this message to EU counterparts. This stance aligns with a growing chorus of European voices recognizing the strategic imperative of integrating Türkiye more deeply into continental security frameworks. Since the EU's recent adoption of its Black Sea Security Strategy in June 2024, which aims to enhance maritime surveillance, counter hybrid threats, and promote energy diversification, there has been increased pressure for inclusive partnerships. Türkiye, as a non-EU NATO member with unparalleled influence in the Black Sea basin, could bridge gaps in these efforts, particularly in demining operations and protecting critical underwater infrastructure like gas pipelines and communication cables.
Toiu's comments also spotlighted the trilateral cooperation framework involving Türkiye, Romania, and Bulgaria—a NATO-backed initiative focused on mine countermeasures in the Black Sea. Launched in 2022 to address the thousands of sea mines deployed during the Ukraine conflict, this partnership has cleared over 200 explosive devices to date, safeguarding vital shipping lanes that carry 20% of global grain exports. "This partnership can expand beyond NATO to other fields and serve as an example for other nations," Toiu remarked, pointing to potential extensions into cybersecurity, environmental protection, and trade facilitation. Fidan echoed this sentiment, calling for bolstered resources for the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea (MCM Black Sea) Task Group to include protection of subsea assets, a nod to recent sabotage incidents like the 2024 damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline.
Beyond security, the ministers addressed the 15th anniversary of the Türkiye-Romania strategic partnership, set for 2026. Toiu announced that the next High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) will convene in Bucharest, extending an official invitation from Romanian President Nicușor Dan to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This gathering, first established in 2009, has historically yielded agreements on energy, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges, with trade volumes between the two countries surpassing €10 billion in 2024—a 15% year-on-year increase driven by automotive and machinery exports. Toiu described Türkiye as "Romania’s most important partner outside the EU," expressing keen interest in amplifying investments, especially in the defense sector where Romania's favorable regulatory environment could attract Turkish firms like Baykar and Roketsan.
A centerpiece of Friday's announcements was the agreement on joint production of armored vehicles, a collaboration that promises to enhance NATO interoperability and stimulate local manufacturing. "This opportunity is highly important, both for suppliers and manufacturers. It will serve as an example for other countries," Toiu said, noting Romania's ongoing procurement of Turkish Hisar-class corvettes for its navy—a deal valued at over €2 billion and expected to create 1,500 jobs in shipyards along the Danube. Fidan highlighted the rapid evolution of defense ties, including joint exercises and technology transfers, as essential for deterring aggression in the Balkans and Black Sea. These initiatives come at a time when NATO's eastern flank is fortifying amid Ukraine's counteroffensives, with Romania contributing 5,000 troops to the alliance's battlegroups in the region.
The talks also touched on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Toiu expressed gratitude for Türkiye's mediation in hostage release negotiations involving allies like the US, Qatar, and Egypt. "We thank Türkiye for its support in efforts to secure the release of hostages. Romania will continue supporting the delivery of humanitarian aid and the treatment of children in need of care," she affirmed, pledging ongoing contributions to UNRWA programs. Fidan, in turn, criticized Israel's aid blockade, labeling the situation "unacceptable" and urging a ceasefire to enable sustainable peace. Romania, which has a small but active Jewish community and historical ties to the Middle East, has airlifted over 500 tons of medical supplies to Gaza since October 2023, often in coordination with Turkish logistics hubs.
Looking ahead, Toiu stressed the untapped economic potential of the Black Sea, advocating for joint ventures in renewable energy and fisheries amid climate challenges. Discussions at the upcoming NATO Industry Forum, held Wednesday and Thursday in Bucharest, will further explore these avenues, with a focus on public-private partnerships to secure supply chains disrupted by the war. As two NATO allies, Romania and Türkiye are aligning on the Three Seas Initiative—a Central European infrastructure project that Türkiye joined as a strategic partner in April 2025—to enhance rail and energy links from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
This meeting occurs against a backdrop of shifting EU-Türkiye relations. Accession talks, frozen since 2016 due to disputes over Cyprus and human rights, have seen tentative revivals, with the European Parliament urging resumption in a July 2025 resolution. Fidan's counterpart emphasized that "European leaders are giving positive messages" on the matter, signaling a potential thaw. Analysts view Romania's vocal advocacy as pivotal, given Bucharest's role in EU enlargement debates and its proximity to conflict zones.
In summary, the Ankara summit reinforces a multifaceted partnership poised to shape Black Sea geopolitics. By championing Türkiye's EU path, Toiu not only advances Bucharest's security interests but also exemplifies how bilateral diplomacy can yield regional dividends. As Fidan noted, coordination on Black Sea issues "would yield desired results in terms of food security and maritime security," a vision that could redefine European stability for years to come.
