Romanian-German relations examined in Bucharest
"We will defend every square centimetre of NATO territory. Our eastern flank will be defended by us, together," said in Bucharest the German foreign minister
Ştefan Stoica, 15.10.2025, 14:00
Timid and rather inconsistent three decades ago, when Romania was hesitant on its European path, Romanian-German relations gained momentum after the country joined the European Union and NATO, reaching an unprecedented level today. Economic cooperation, among other things, fully illustrates this. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu held political consultations in Bucharest with her German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, focusing on European security, the defence industry, EU enlargement, support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, and cooperation in the Black Sea region.
Germany has been Romania’s most important trading partner and the main investor in the Romanian economy for several years, Oana Ţoiu said:
“Our countries also enjoy close economic and trade ties. Germany is Romania’s largest trading partner and largest investor. We have over €18 billion invested in many cutting-edge areas. Together, we are creating and supporting well-paid jobs and competitive businesses that generate value not only for our countries but for the entire European Union market, and we want to continue this and raise our common ambitions.”
On the other hand, the head of Romanian diplomacy expressed her gratitude for the participation of German air forces in enhanced air policing missions in Romania, in cooperation with the Romanian military. It is a very good sign that Germany is already participating for the fourth time with Eurofighter aircraft in the surveillance of NATO’s Eastern Flank airspace and in securing Romania’s airspace, the head of diplomacy in Berlin emphasized. He also recalled that a month ago, Romanian and German fighter jets took off together because a Russian drone violated Romanian airspace. In Johann Wadephul’s opinion, this action demonstrates the solidarity within the North Atlantic Alliance and the fact that such violations of member states’ sovereignty are unacceptable. “We will defend every square centimetre of NATO territory. We are united in the Baltic states, Poland, and Romania. Our eastern flank will be defended by us, together,” the German foreign minister assured. Russia, he also stressed, is constantly testing the resolve of the member states, but they are cautiously and resolutely defending the democratic values that bother Vladimir Putin so much.
Also, Mr. Wadephul welcomed the reactivation of monitoring on NATO’s Eastern Flank, as well as the fact that a new package of sanctions is being prepared in Brussels to further increase pressure on Moscow. The discussions between the two ministers also focused on intensifying cooperation in energy and tourism. In the latter area, there is growing demand on both sides, and Germany has long been the top destination for foreign tourists staying in Romanian accommodation facilities. (MI)
