Romanian Parliament Member Albu to the Republic: Hormuz crisis and Black Sea security

Romanian House of Representatives Member Dumitrita Albu, in her evaluations to Caner Çiftçi from Cumhuriyet, included the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Europe's energy and security policies, the Russia-Ukraine War, Turkey's role in the Black Sea and the resilience of the European economy.

Stating that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz creates both military and economic risks, Albu said that these two topics cannot be evaluated separately from each other.

Pointing out that a possible military escalation could lead to serious economic consequences, Albu stated that a long-term energy crisis could also increase economic and social pressures.

Emphasizing that the priority for Romania is to support reliable diplomatic initiatives that will prevent the spread of conflict and reduce tension, Albu said that energy security should be strengthened, supply sources should be diversified and vulnerabilities against external shocks should be reduced.

Noting that Romania has important energy resources and can play an important role in the region, Albu stated that, on the other hand, no European economy is completely isolated from developments in international markets:

"Romania has significant energy resources and plays an important role in the region, but no European economy is completely immune from developments in international markets. Ultimately, it is in everyone's interest to prevent further escalation of tensions. Stability, dialogue and predictability are vital for both the security of our citizens and our economies."

“EUROPE SHOULD ASSUME MORE RESPONSIBILITY IN DEFENSE”

Evaluating the calls of the US President Donald Trump administration for European countries to increase their defense spending, Albu said that he looked at the issue within the framework of common security responsibility rather than the concept of "pressure".

Stating that Europe now accepts that it needs to invest more in its own defense capacity and assume more responsibility for common security, Albu stated that for Romania, NATO and transatlantic relations continue to be the basic elements of national security.

Albu said that increasing Europe's defense capacity does not constitute an alternative to partnership with the USA, and emphasized that the two structures should strengthen each other.

Albu stated that responsibilities should be shared more balanced while maintaining solidarity and trust between allies, and that in the current international environment, there is a need for much more cooperation than new divisions.

"A Europe that can contribute more to its own defense should not be seen as an alternative to the partnership with the United States. On the contrary, these two elements can and should strengthen each other. I believe that our goal should be a balanced sharing of responsibilities while maintaining solidarity, dialogue and trust between allies. In the current international environment, we need more cooperation between partners, not new divisions," Albu said.

“CEASE CEASE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH”

Making evaluations about the Russia-Ukraine War, Albu stated that Romania's main interest is to ensure peace, security and stability in its immediate surroundings and especially in the Black Sea region.

Stating that every reliable diplomatic initiative that can achieve a fair and lasting peace should be supported, Albu said that a possible peace should respect international law, Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Albu stated that security guarantees should also be created to prevent a new conflict in the future.

Noting that the ceasefire could be an important step towards peace, Albu said, "The aim should not only be to stop the conflicts temporarily. The necessary conditions should be created for a negotiated and permanent peace."

“Türkiye IS A STRATEGIC ACTOR IN THE BLACK SEA”

Touching on Turkey's role in European security, Albu defined Turkey as an important NATO ally and a country with strategic weight in the Black Sea region.

Stating that cooperation with Turkey is important for Romania in terms of regional security, stability and dialogue, Albu said that Türkiye-EU relations cannot be handled only with a security dimension.

Pointing out that this relationship also has political, economic and institutional dimensions, Albu stated that European security and the EU's institutional relations with Turkey should not be considered as two opposing topics.

Pointing out the importance of maintaining dialogue and pragmatic cooperation in the current geopolitical environment, Albu said that European security, especially in strategic regions such as the Black Sea, directly benefits from stable partnerships:

"I think that the security of Europe and the EU's institutional relationship with Turkey should not necessarily be seen as contradictory. In the current geopolitical context, it is vital to maintain dialogue and pragmatic cooperation, while the relationship between Turkey and the European Union should continue to be handled within an appropriate European framework. Ultimately, dialogue, cooperation and stable partnerships benefit the security of Europe, especially in strategically important regions such as the Black Sea."

“EUROPE SHOULD REDUCE ITS VULNERABILITY”

Stating that the European economy is simultaneously facing the pressures created by both the US-Iran tension and the Russia-Ukraine War, Albu said, "Europe is undoubtedly facing significant pressures. Energy, supply chains, defense expenditures, investments and economic competitiveness are increasingly intertwined with geopolitical developments."

Emphasizing that economic resilience does not mean not being affected by shocks at all, Albu stated that the most important thing is to be able to absorb these shocks, adapt to changing conditions and reduce vulnerabilities in the long term.

He noted that for this, it is necessary to diversify energy sources, strengthen the European infrastructure, invest in strategic sectors and increase cooperation between countries.

"At the same time, economic resilience cannot be our only response to geopolitical instability. We also need diplomacy and sustained support for credible initiatives that can reduce tensions and create the conditions for lasting negotiated solutions," Albu said.

"We should not get used to seeing war as a permanent and inevitable part of international relations," said Albu, adding that the ultimate goal of both security policy and diplomacy should be peace.