On September 6th, the International Security Program hosted Dr. Sebastian Huluban, state secretary for defense policy and planning at the Ministry of National Defense of Romania, for a private strategy session with key Council fellows and advisors.

Dr. Huluban presented an overview on Romania’s defense policy in an evolving security environment, touching upon defense implications resulting from the economic crisis, Romania’s support of NATO’s partnerships agenda, progress on implementing NATO’s missile defense architecture, and current events in the Middle East. The group engaged in a discussion with Dr. Huluban on a number of key issues, including an increased cooperation with other key states in the southeast Europe region and enhancing transparency, consistency, and reassurance through its foreign and defense policy actions.

Dr. Huluban became state secretary for defense policy and planning after a long career in the Department for Defense Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Defense. From 2006 to 2011, he was the Head of Unit responsible for NATO policies and Political-Military Assessments. Prior to this he was the adviser to the state secretary for defense policy and planning. From 1996 to 2002, he was a lecturer in political science at the University of Oradea.