CES Partnership with OPIA: NATO DAY 2026

CES Bucharest supported NATO Day 2026, a strategic event organized by OPIA – Defense Industry Shareholders Organization in Bucharest, in an anniversary context: 22 years since Romania’s accession to NATO. As part of its contribution, CES Bucharest supported the event with relevant data and analytical resources, contributing to the framing of discussions and strengthening the overall communication impact.

The event brought together high-level representatives from government, the diplomatic corps, the defense industry and international partners to address Romania’s role on NATO’s Eastern Flank and the urgent need to strengthen national defense capabilities in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. In the context of the war in Ukraine and global supply chain reconfiguration, participants emphasized the strategic opportunity for Romania to reposition itself as a regional hub in the European and Euro-Atlantic defense ecosystem.

Among the key speakers and participants were: Marius Lazurca, Presidential Advisor for National Security, Mircea Abrudean, President of the Senate of Romania, Nicoleta Pauliuc, President of the Defense, Public Order and National Security Committee, Senate of Romania, Irineu Darau, Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Stefan Radu Oprea, Secretary-General of the Government of Romania, Sorin-Dan Moldovan, State Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Silviu Nicu Macovei, State Secretary, Ministry of National Defense, Ana Cristina Tinca, State Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vasile Dincu, Member of the European Parliament, Mircea Geoana, former NATO Deputy Secretary General, General-maior Claudiu-Mihail Sava, Deputy Chief of Defense Planning, Romanian Armed Forces General Staff, General-locotenent ing. Liviu-Mihail Iancu, Deputy Head of the Department for Defense Policy, Planning and International Relations, Raul Mirica, Soldier, INVICTUS Romania. The presence of representatives from both public institutions and leading defense companies underlined the collaborative nature of the dialogue.

Discussions focused on the need for a national defense industry relaunch project, aiming to modernize existing production capacities, attract strategic investment, and integrate Romanian companies into NATO and EU supply chains. Speakers highlighted the importance of accelerating research, innovation, and workforce development, as well as strengthening international partnerships and export capacity.

A central topic of the debate was the structural transformation of the defense sector, including improved access to financing, removal of systemic barriers—particularly in relation to banking and compliance frameworks—and the development of a more predictable legislative and financial environment tailored to the specificities of the industry. Participants stressed that defense should be treated not only as a security priority, but also as a driver of economic growth and industrial competitiveness.

The event also emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between public authorities and the private sector, increased participation in international defense forums and trade missions, and better use of European funding mechanisms. Innovation, dual-use technologies, and digitalization were identified as key enablers of future resilience.