Minister Ioan Mircea Pașcu: ’’Reforming the Romanian armed forces to get them ready for NATO accession represented a priority and a challenge’’

Abstract

This article features an interview with Ioan Mircea Pașcu, Romania’s Minister of National Defense from 2000 to 2004, who played a pivotal role in Romania’s accession to NATO. Pașcu reflects on the reform processes and challenges faced by Romania's military institutions as the country moved toward membership, particularly the downsizing of the Armed Forces and the implementation of civilian control. Moreover, minister Pașcu assesses Romania’s contributions to NATO’s security, emphasizing its reliable participation in multinational missions and its strategic role in defending NATO’s Eastern Flank. In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the former Minister discusses Romania's evolving role within NATO, the growing threat from Russia and the importance of NATO’s deterrence efforts in the Black Sea region. Lastly, the former minister also anticipates that NATO’s security framework will be further strengthened by the accession of Finland and Sweden, giving as well a prediction on Ukraine’s eventual membership post-conflict.