Since December 1989, Romania has actively pursued a policy of strengthening relations with the West in general, more specifically with the United States and the European Union. Romania was a helpful partner to the allied forces during the Gulf war, particularly during its service as president of the UN Security Council. Romania has been active in peacekeeping operations in UNAVEM in Angola, IFOR/SFOR in Bosnia, and in Albania.
Romania diligently enforces United Nations' sanctions against the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Despite divisions within the Parliament and among the people, Romania supported NATO in the Kosovo campaign and granted approval for NATO to overfly Romanian airspace. While Romania does not belong to any military alliance yet (it will join NATO in 2004), it is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC), and was the first country to enroll in the NATO Partnership for Peace program.
In 1996, Romania signed and ratified a basic bilateral treaty with Hungary that settled outstanding contentions and laid the foundation for closer, more cooperative relations. In June 1997, Romania signed a bilateral treaty with Ukraine that resolved territorial and minority issues, among others.
Romania has been actively involved in regional organizations, such as the Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI) and the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, and has been a positive force in supporting stability and cooperation in the area.
Romania maintains good diplomatic relations with Israel and was supportive of the Middle East peace negotiations initiated after the Gulf conflict in 1991. Romania also is a founding member of the Black Sea Consortium for Economic Development. It joined the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 1972, and is a member of the World Trade Organization.
Disputes - international: dispute with Ukraine over 'Insula şerpilor'(Snake island - aprox 50 km east of [Sulina]) and its continental shelf of the Black Sea under which significant gas and oil deposits may exist; agreed in 1997 to two-year negotiating period, after which either party can refer dispute to the International Court of Justice
Illicit drugs: important transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe
- See also : Romania
