A deepening of ties between Germany and Romania has been announced following a meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Romanian President Nicușor Dan. This marked President Dan’s first official overseas visit since assuming office.
The discussions centered around the signing of a bilateral “Action Plan” by the foreign ministers of both nations. The plan outlines expanded collaboration in the defense industry, notably within the framework of the European Union’s “Safe” program. President Dan specifically mentioned advanced negotiations between the Romanian state-owned company Romarm and Rheinmetall regarding ammunition production. Joint projects leveraging EU funding are also under consideration.
Both Chancellor Merz and President Dan highlighted concerns regarding the escalating threat of Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. Chancellor Merz stated that attempts to divide Europe have been intensifying for years. President Dan referenced significant interference during the recent Romanian election campaign and urged closer cooperation to safeguard democratic processes.
Acknowledging the strong economic relationship between the two countries, Chancellor Merz reported a record bilateral trade volume exceeding 42 billion euros last year. Both leaders expressed a commitment to further growth and the utilization of untapped potential within this key partnership.