Romania in transition : 1989-2001

ABSTRACT This thesis explains the changes and shifts in the foreign, security and economic policies of Romania during the 1990s by defining the challenges during the transition period of the country. In the early 1990s, Romania, carrying the burden of the communist period, made certain changes in its structures towards democracy. This study examines the basic issues in the agenda of Romania during the 1990s by focusing on Romania’s strive for becoming a NATO and EU member, its economic transformation and development and the country’s role in the regional politics. Although Romania’s desire for membership in NATO and EU was strongly supported by the government and the Romanian people, the country’s admission to both institutions was delayed because of the economic instabilities. Besides economic restructuring efforts in this period, Romania also struggled for achieving peace, prosperity and stability in the Balkans, thus it cooperated with other nations and established exemplary relations with them as in the cases of Turkey and Greece. These bilateral relations, which were based on friendship and mutual respect, can be useful for Romania in its transition in terms of obtaining the support of those countries for also the membership process to NATO and EU; however, the Romanian economy should be the priority: The objective should be the smooth transition of the Romanian economy into a well-structured, functioning market system step by step, first reorganizing itself and then adapting to other international institutions.