Nicușor Dan, the first speech before the ambassadors accredited in Romania: “We are at the beginning of a deep process of national reconciliation”

The President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, delivers today his first speech in front of the ambassadors accredited in Romania, during the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions.

The meeting started at 13.00, with the singing of the national anthem. This was followed by the address of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Monsenior Giampiero Gloder, after which President Nicușor Dan addressed the diplomats present.

This is Nicușor Dan's first meeting of this type with the Diplomatic Corps since assuming the mandate of President of Romania, an important moment for presenting the foreign policy priorities and general directions of his new administration.

At the beginning of the speech, the head of state welcomed the diplomats to the Cotroceni Palace and emphasized the importance of the meeting for setting priorities for the current year.

“Ladies and gentlemen presidential and state advisers, ladies and gentlemen heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania, first of all, welcome to the Cotroceni Palace. I am glad to meet on this occasion. It is an opportunity to see the important things of the past year and especially to see what are the priorities for the year that has begun. The common vision for the realization of which I invite you to join forces is that of a safer world, fairer and more prosperous”the president said.

Nicusor Dan showed that the year that started “one with many challenges is announced” and that in order to contribute effectively to the goal of peace and cooperation, “our foreign policy will have to be both dynamic and creative.”

“We are at the beginning of a deep process of national reconciliation”

The President then spoke about Romania's internal situation, recalling that 2025 marked the end of a prolonged and difficult electoral cycle.

“The year 2025 is the year in which our country ended, as mentioned, a prolonged electoral cycle, which was not without difficulties, in which we had to face a hybrid war. However, Romanian democracy managed to face this test of maturity, applying the law and ensuring the functioning of democratic institutions. We are at the beginning of a deep process of national reconciliation within society and reconstitution of the balance between state powers”said Nicușor Dan.

He emphasized that strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption are priorities of his mandate, included in the new national defense strategy.

“Only an independent and efficient judicial system, together with an honest and professional administration, will be able to improve the functioning of state institutions and, above all, lead to the regaining of citizens' trust in state institutions. And a better political environment will provide predictability including to our external partners, stimulating political cooperation, international trade and investments”the head of state added.

“Painful” economic measures but with results: smaller deficit and soft growth

The President also spoke about the economic situation, recalling that the priorities of 2025 were political stability and financial recovery.

“The imperatives of 2025, especially after the last round of elections, were to ensure political and governmental stability and the urgent need for financial recovery. There were some painful measures that had to be taken in an extremely short period of time. And these measures at the macroeconomic level gave the expected results. Romania managed to end the year 2025 with a consistent reduction of the deficit and with a slight economic growth”, said Nicușor Dan.

He also said that the administrative and fiscal reforms started last year will strengthen the state and that this joint effort must be capitalized through public policies that make economic recovery possible, which is “one of the objectives for 2026 and 2027″.

“We asked diplomats to be able to adapt”

The head of state emphasized that only a solid internal situation can generate an effective foreign policy and described the current international context as one marked by crises and tensions.

“The international environment is marked by chronic or spontaneous crises. It is marked by the revival of the logic of spheres of influence and competition between great powers. International norms have often become relativized, and multilateral bodies have lost at least some of their force.” said the president.

“The global scene is marked by multiple and overlapping crises and calls for dynamism and flexibility. As president, I have asked our diplomats to have the ability to adapt to these realities, to anticipate future realities, and to react promptly to them,” he added.

“Romania will continue to be a reliable partner”

In the second part of the speech, Nicușor Dan reaffirmed Romania's external commitments and the strategic directions of the foreign policy.

“Our country will remain loyal to its foreign and security policy promises and commitments, and equally tenaciously pursue its national interests, as our citizens demand of us. This is the essence of the concept of solidary independence that we introduced in the new defense strategy.” the president stated.

He pointed out that “only a strong and autonomous Romania can add value to alliances, partnerships and cooperative relations” and that “Strong Romania is a better ally, partner and interlocutor“.

“On an often chaotic global scene, Romania will continue to be a reliable partner. We will follow the same foreign policy based on the triad of the European Union, NATO, the strategic partnership with the United States“, said the head of state.

The President showed that Romania will pay more attention to key themes such as “the war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine”, “the European path of the Republic of Moldova” and cooperation with strategic partners and states that share the same values.

He also talked about relationships with “our traditional friends from the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America and Asia,” to which Romania will propose “in the medium term a new level of ambition that will bring to fruition the historical capital of our relations and the new political and economic dynamism of these regions”.

Security investments and Romania's role in the Black Sea

For strengthening national security, Romania “will strengthen its participation in NATO policies” and “will invest in our role on the Eastern flank of the Alliance and on the Black Sea”said Nicușor Dan.

“Romania will remain a committed and reliable ally, continuing investments in national defense and collective security, according to the commitments adopted at the Hague summits“, he added.

The President announced that, “in close collaboration with our Polish partners, Romania will host in 2026 the summit of the Bucharest 9, B9 format“, will accelerate efforts to create the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub and further contribute to Europe's energy security “as supplier and transit route“.

“Romania is grateful for all the support provided by its allies. We strongly believe that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty remains the backbone of our national and collective security“, emphasized the head of state.

He also said that Romania will continue to support the Three Seas Initiative and the strategic partnership with the United States “will continue to be a fundamental line of action of our foreign policy in 2026“.

“Romania understands its strategic role in the Black Sea and will intelligently identify projects that can bring added value to this partnership”concluded the president Nicușor Dan.