The threat of a major military conflict in Europe has significantly decreased. After the collapse of the communist regimes, Romania faces a transition period that presents both opportunities and challenges. Simultaneously with the progress of integration and cooperation, processes disturbing security, such as breaking up, putting aside or isolating international actors, take place. Lacking dialogue, conflicts tend to acquire an international character, entailing the use of military force and endangering the security of states, with serious consequences at regional and global levels. There is a commitment from all states participating in building European Security to increase cooperation, to strengthen stability and reduce the possibility of an armed conflict. The security environment presents the short-term opportunity to prepare for the integration into the North-Atlantic Alliance.
Romania has clearly proved to be committed towards this aim. To put into practice this willingness of integration was and continues to constantly be one of our strategic objectives. Romania must revaluate this opportunity. Romania doesn't consider any state to be her possible enemy. At present there is a regional instability that may cause an increase of medium- and long -term risks. The spirit of openness, partnership and co-operation in Europe, contributes to strengthening the trend towards stability.
The Romanian Armed Forces take an active part in developing co-operation with the military of other states in order to sustain enhanced confidence and stability. The current security environment provides an opportunity to reshape our armed forces within acceptable limits of risk. In an inconsistent, complex, dynamic and uncertain security environment, the current economical-financial conditions of Romania and of other states in the region, are a potential source of instability. They could delay the positive effects of regional evolution and could stress the negative tendencies. In this context, our Armed Forces must be prepared to properly meet the challenges of the 21st century, which can be particularly noticed within the area of Romania military strategic interest .
This area varies with the evolution of security environment and national interests, and it is determined both by the existence of active or potential sources of generating major crises, whose settlement demands the use of Armed Forces, and the presence of opportunities to be attracted for promoting the national military objectives.
Romania lies at the crossroads of four strategic evolutions within the following areas: