OPINION - National interest: a country with personality, a strong Europe and a friendly America

From my perspective, the European project, European solidarity means true sovereignty in the context of global challenges.
In a world dominated by two major power poles (the USA and China) and with a Russia engaged in an aggressive imperial posture, small European states will massively lose not only political relevance but also opportunities for prosperity. And the security of citizens will evaporate quickly. In other words, we risk becoming smaller, poorer, and more vulnerable in the face of aggressions.
In such a context, with a fragmented and weakened Europe, a Romania at the turbulent eastern border, a country that has suffered so much from external aggression, a nation that for 45 years was a prisoner, a colony of the Soviet communist project, with over half a million victims, would instantly lose the immense continental resources that have allowed the country to rise in the last 20 years. And it would quickly return to the sphere of Russian influence. Essentially, we would lose the freedom and security that make prosperity possible.
The strategic partnership with the USA remains one of the foundations of Romania's national security ecosystem and we must do everything, but everything to strengthen it. Obviously, we must prioritize our national interest: that of having a safe country that offers its citizens, all its citizens, not just some, access to welfare and equal chances to live better and freer. A country proud of its identity, aware of the immense contribution it brings to the European project and firmly anchored in the dream of our founding fathers (the Transylvanian school and the Enlightenment): modernization and development according to the European model.
And here, popular wisdom remains a fantastic benchmark: 90% of Romanians say it is in the national interest to be members of the EU and NATO. It is understood that we are talking about a strengthened European Union, not a divided actor, maneuvered and impoverished by competitive interests.
Complicated times are ahead in which we, with our means, can do enough good things to strengthen the pragmatic partnership with the USA, alongside strengthening our voice in the EU, in support of a strong Europe. Only in this way can we hope not to return to the eastern sphere of influence, one that for us means prison, poverty, and servitude.