Romania sees US as strategic partner, but stands with the EU in the Greenland case

Nicușor Dan said the United States remained a vital strategic partner for Romania’s security, speaking after an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels.

The Romanian president said many EU member states shared this view, despite what he described as recent “turbulences or discontinuities” in transatlantic relations.

“There are sufficient reasons for this relationship to continue,” he said, adding that dialogue remained “extremely important”.

Mr Dan also said Romania stood in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, calling this a legal obligation under European Union treaties.

Referring to recent tensions, he said he had urged restraint and warned against escalation within the alliance. He added that subsequent developments had shown dialogue could lead to a “constructive approach by all parties”.

Romania’s position on Greenland, Mr Dan said, was that sovereignty was a matter of international law, while legitimate defence concerns — particularly between two NATO members — should be addressed through dialogue.

The informal European Council focused on the transatlantic relationship, including issues related to Greenland, trade tariffs and Ukraine. Mercosur was also expected to feature in discussions.

“We need this transatlantic relationship — Europe and Romania,” Mr Dan said, adding that recent dialogue had helped reduce tensions and restore “normal parameters”.

Asked about Romania’s potential accession to the Board of Peace, the president said the move would require careful legal analysis, including its compatibility with existing international commitments such as the UN Charter.

On the possibility of unification with the Republic of Moldova, Mr Dan said this could only happen if supported by a majority of Moldovan citizens.

“For the moment, we are not there,” he said.

On Ukraine, he added that dialogue remained essential and that Romania currently held a “balanced position” within EU discussions.