By Maria Cernat, World BEYOND War, December 22, 2025
On December 18th, 2025, members of the Romanian chapter of World BEYOND War organized a protest in Kogălniceanu, the locality hosting an important NATO military base.
On this occasion, the peace activists issued the following manifesto (translated from Romanian):
Manifesto – For the Closure of Foreign Military Bases
We, citizens of Romania, call for an end to the militarization of foreign territories.
We believe security cannot be guaranteed through arms, foreign military bases, or the presence of troops from powerful nations on the territory of other states. We advocate for a vision of real peace, where resources are dedicated to protecting life, not to perpetuating conflicts and tensions.
1.Foreign Military Bases – What They Are and Why They Must Be Closed
A foreign military base is a center of military power, built and operated by one country outside its own borders, often without the genuine democratic consent of the local population. Currently, there are over one thousand such bases spread across the globe, the vast majority belonging to the United States, but also to other allied states – all this in a world that aspires to peace and cooperation, not domination and confrontation.
2. Foreign Military Bases Undermine Sovereignty and Democracy
Foreign military bases call into question the national sovereignty of host countries and limit the population’s ability to decide the fate of their own territory.
Decisions to install and maintain bases are most often made by political or military elites without consulting the affected people.
3. The Presence of Bases Increases the Risk of Military Conflicts
Military bases do not necessarily protect local populations; they can turn host countries into strategic targets in the event of war or escalating tensions.
Their presence perpetuates a logic of confrontation and deterrence, making diplomatic dialogue more difficult.
4. Negative Impact on Local Communities
Maintaining military bases consumes enormous resources, money that could be invested in health, education, infrastructure, and social protection.
Despite some economic opportunities offered by the presence of foreign troops, communities around bases often suffer social consequences – from resource segregation to cultural tensions and conflicts between military personnel and the civilian population.
5. Negative Impact on the Environment
Military bases are associated with severe soil and water pollution, including contamination with persistent and toxic substances.
The climate impact of military operations and associated infrastructure aggravates the global environmental crisis.
Romania – A Space of Peace, Not a Theater of War
Romania hosts elements of international military infrastructure and rotations of foreign troops within NATO military alliances. In the name of security, the political class promotes foreign military presence as an instrument of deterrence. But true security does not come from armaments or bases, but from cooperation, social development, and mutual respect between nations. Therefore, we demand a clear commitment to:
- Demilitarization and the gradual reduction of foreign military base presence in Romania
- Genuine democratic consultation regarding military agreements that affect national sovereignty and the lives of Romanian citizens.
- Redirecting military resources towards investments in education, health, and environmental protection.
- Diplomacy and common security, based on dialogue, cooperation, and respect for international law, in line with the good practices of the OSCE and UN.
Why Now?
We are witnessing a world where traditional security institutions promote military escalation as a response to crises. We believe something else: peace is not merely the absence of war, but the achievement of an inclusive security architecture, so that conflicts are prevented through understanding and cooperation, not through force and military bases.
Mihai Kogălniceanu, Constanța County, December 18, 2025
World BEYOND War – Romania Chapter – For a World BEYOND War!
See more from the protest on these Facebook post, reels here and here, and on TikTok.
The post Romanian World BEYOND War Chapter Holds First Protest Against NATO Military Base appeared first on World BEYOND War.
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