#SecureBlackSea’s fieldwork in Bucharest involved in-depth interviews with Romanian foreign policy officials, defence and security experts, policy analysts, and academics specialising in Black Sea and Eastern European security.
Stakeholders underlined Romania’s strategic role as a frontline NATO and EU member state in the Black Sea region, particularly in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Interviewees highlighted key security concerns including Russia’s military activities in the Black Sea, hybrid threats such as disinformation and cyber-attacks, risks to critical maritime and energy infrastructure, and the militarisation of the wider Black Sea basin.
Experts emphasised Romania’s strong support for an enhanced NATO presence, increased maritime and air surveillance, and closer coordination with EU security and defence initiatives. Particular attention was drawn to the importance of resilience-building, protection of critical infrastructure, and strengthening regional cooperation with neighbouring Black Sea states. These findings will contribute to the project’s comparative analysis of threat perceptions, strategic priorities, and cooperation frameworks across the Black Sea region.