The Future of Romanian Diplomacy through the Eyes of Its Citizens: A Public Perception Study

Public perception is increasingly seen as essential to the legitimacy and effectiveness of diplomacy. Although Romania is a full member of NATO and the European Union, little is known about how its citizens understand and evaluate foreign policy. This study addresses that gap by exploring awareness, trust in institutions, and public priorities through a structured questionnaire with 173 valid responses. Findings show that while respondents demonstrate strong factual knowledge of Romania’s international status, they follow foreign affairs only moderately. Trust in diplomatic institutions is neutral overall, with more favorable views toward embassies and EU/NATO representations than toward domestic actors. Economic diplomacy, NATO cooperation, and regional relations with Moldova and Ukraine are seen as the most important priorities for the coming years. At the same time, most respondents believe Romanian diplomacy does not fully reflect public concerns or communicate clearly with citizens. This points to a disconnect between institutional strategies and public expectations. The results suggest the need for more transparent and citizen-focused diplomacy. The study contributes to broader debates on public diplomacy and offers a framework for integrating citizen perspectives into Romania’s foreign policy planning, supporting a more democratic and accountable approach to external action