. FOREWORD Since taking oath in office as President of Romania, I have expressed my will and commitment to ensure Romania’s assertion as a strong nation of citizens, fully aware of what it strives for in Europe, in the world and for itself. My belief stands firm. The force of a nation derives from its common values, objectives and aspirations which transcend the sum of individual interests, ambitions and achievements. Romania’s national defense strategy is the clear‐cut expression of this vision. A strong Romania within Europe and the world is the clearest expression of the Strategy’s final objective, and defines the profile that our country will build in the next five years and, implicitly, in the long term. First of all, a strong Romania within Europe and the world is a state that ensures the security of its citizens wherever they are. This statement includes many aspects. Ensuring citizens’ security means respecting them at home, protecting their rights and liberties nationally and abroad, actually making the institutions work for the citizens` benefit (as they are meant to be), as well as providing security for their communities, legal guarantees and diplomatic protection abroad. This goal can only be achieved through constant connection with field realities, through continuous factual assessment and through understanding of phenomena and challenges that define the present situation. As a result, a strong Romania is a state that will develop its own capacity to efficiently and pragmatically operate within a different paradigm, able to respond to new realities and to anticipate evolutions of the security environment. Acknowledging the changes that have occurred over the past years in the geopolitical environment represents the first necessary step in building a Strategy that is well‐anchored in reality, which identifies the most appropriate lines of action. Secondly, a strong Romania defends its core values, interests and symbols, national assets and natural resources, as well as its institutions. Priority must be given to education and healthcare, to heritage and environment protection, as well as to support of areas of excellence. Last, but not least, a strong Romania supports the preservation of collective security and the promotion of democracy and freedom. This implies that Romania will reinforce its strategic credibility, will be known for its predictable and constant stance on defining its foreign, security and defense policies, as well as on strengthening democracy and the rule of law. A strong Romania not only benefits from the complete trust of its partners, but also provides confidence, stability in an intricate region, and solid respect for democratic values and principles. 3