D.C. Defense Meeting
DAN DUNGACIU: Values, Alliance, and the RISS-GIIS Partnership
Dan Dungaciu, First Vice-President of AUR and Chairman of the Romanian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS), addresses the opening of RISS in Bucharest, Romania. He reflects on the significance of shared values as the foundation of transatlantic conservative cooperation, drawing a parallel between how established political networks have long organized around common principles. Dungaciu frames the RISS-Gold Institute partnership as a step toward institutionalizing those values through NGOs, foundations, and media infrastructure. He describes the moment as historically significant, noting it marks the first time a U.S. think tank outside traditional institutions has established a presence in Bucharest to advance this model.
GEORGE SIMION: Romania, the U.S., and Sovereignty
George Simion, President of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and Vice-President of the European Conservatives and Reformists, addresses a delegation of opposition parliamentarians in Bucharest alongside representatives from the Gold Institute for International Strategy. He reflects on the state of U.S.-Romania relations and the importance of open dialogue between allied nations. Simion emphasizes the value of cooperation between GIIS and Romanian think tank RIS, and calls for stronger ties between Romania and the United States under the current administration.
CANDIN POP: Romania-U.S. Strategic Alliance
Candin Pop, President of the Romanian Institute for International Studies (RIIS), shares remarks on the importance of the Romania-U.S. strategic relationship at a Gold Institute for International Strategy event. highlighting RIIS’s mission to engage everyday citizens in international affairs and advocates for free markets and freedom of speech. He emphasizes the value of reconnecting Romania and the United States as natural allies with shared democratic values.
TIBERIO CONSTANTINESCU: Romania-U.S. Relations
Tiberio Constantinescu, Secretary of RIIS, delivers brief remarks on the state of Romania-U.S. relations. He notes that a first step toward repairing bilateral ties has been taken, with RIIS and the Gold Institute serving as central partners in this effort. Constantinescu closes with an expression of hope and gratitude for the collaboration.
ROB ROOS: Election Interference and Digital Freedoms
Hon. Rob Roos, Distinguished Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Security, addresses the Romanian Parliament on patterns of election interference across the Western world and the misuse of EU digital legislation to suppress dissenting voices. Drawing on his experience negotiating the Digital Services Act on behalf of the ECR, Roos outlines how regulatory frameworks such as the DSA, Chat Control, and the Media Freedom Act are being used to curtail political opposition. He calls for cross-border cooperation among sovereignty-minded leaders to defend democratic freedoms.
DERK EPPINK: Democracy & EU Election Interference in Romania
Hon. Derk Eppink MP, Distinguished Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy, addresses a Romania-focused forum on democratic integrity and electoral sovereignty. Drawing on his experience in the European Commission and European Parliament, Eppink examines how EU institutions have sought to influence election outcomes across member states. He calls for greater awareness of institutional interference conducted under the guise of democratic protection, and expresses solidarity with Romania’s democratic aspirations.
MG MAHMOUD HASSANIN: Egypt, the U.S., and Romania
MG Mahmoud Hassanin, Distinguished Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Security, addresses Romanian government officials on Egypt’s strategic role as a key U.S. partner in the Middle East, the Arab world, and Africa. He highlights Egypt’s contributions to regional stability, including hosting the UN COP27 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with U.S. support. Hassanin also underscores the interconnected interests of the United States and Europe, and the importance of strengthening Egyptian-Romanian diplomatic ties.