Risks and threats to national security, the fight against foreign interference, and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East were among the topics discussed during the presentation of the Foreign Intelligence Service's (SIE) activity report for 2025.
The parliamentary special committee overseeing the activity of the Foreign Intelligence Service held a working meeting on Tuesday at the SIE headquarters, during which the service's civilian and operational leadership presented the activity report for 2025.
"On this occasion, the committee analysed in detail the service's intelligence, operational and strategic analysis capabilities, focusing on intelligence activities in the politico-strategic field, the management of asymmetric threats, foreign counter-espionage activities and operational protection, efforts to combat cross-border crime, external cyber operations, the processing and use of intelligence, the contribution to fulfilling tasks set by the Supreme Council of National Defence, as well as external intelligence and operational cooperation," according to a press release signed by the committee's chairman, MP Alexandru Muraru.
Issues related to the SIE budget, human resources, staffing levels, the specific nature of foreign missions, as well as logistical and legal matters, cooperation with other institutions in the national security system and with external partners were also discussed.
"The working meeting allowed for a specific and detailed evaluation of SIE's directions of action, constituting a technical synthesis of the entire parliamentary oversight activity for 2025, based on the powers provided by Parliament Decision no. 44/1998, the legal framework that sets the committee's competences regarding the monitoring, evaluation and verification of how the SIE fulfils its legal mandate," the press release said.
Regarding 2026, the committee noted that in the first six weeks of the current parliamentary session, in line with the annual thematic plan, three working sessions with SIE representatives had already taken place. The topics analysed included the assessment of the strategic situation in the Middle East, focusing on developments in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as examining the potential impact on Romania from geopolitical, economic and consular perspectives.
"In the current security context, marked by intensifying geopolitical competition, the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine and volatile developments in the Middle East, the activity of the Foreign Intelligence Service is essential for protecting Romania's strategic interests. Countering foreign interference, anticipating emerging risks and providing high-quality strategic analysis for state decision-makers represent critical missions in an increasingly complex security environment," said MP Alexandru Muraru.
According to him, the parliamentary committee overseeing the activity of the Foreign Intelligence Service will continue to exercise responsible oversight so that the service has the legal framework, resources and tools necessary to fulfil its mandate in full compliance with the law and Romania's security interests.
"In this context, it is essential for the SIE to maintain its capacity to constantly adapt to new types of threats and to the dynamics of the international environment, by modernising its intelligence, technological and operational capabilities. At the same time, parliamentary oversight remains a key legal obligation for institutional transparency, democratic accountability and strengthening public trust in state institutions," said the chairman of the parliamentary special committee overseeing the Foreign Intelligence Service.
The committee also reaffirmed its firm commitment to active, professional and responsible parliamentary oversight aimed at strengthening the resilience of security institutions and protecting Romania's strategic interests in a regional and global context that is continuously evolving, the press release added.
Comentează