Message by Prime Minister Nicolae –Ionel Ciucă on Europe Day

"Europe Day marks the milestone of 72 years ago, when the then head of French diplomacy, Robert Schuman, presented the famous Declaration bearing his name, co-authored with Jean Monnet. It was a decisive first step toward the creation of the European Union.

Only five years had passed since the end of a devastating war that shook the world and caused many human and economic losses. The plan of the two founding fathers of European construction relied on the concept of solidarity and the idea of a peaceful community of interests that would make it impossible for a new destructive conflict to break out again. With its wounds still raw, Europe was preparing to close the gates to threats that could lead to its destruction.

While Eastern Europe remained under the heavy burden of left-wing authoritarianism, the seeds of United Europe began to germinate in the West, which became a model for understanding, prosperity and development. Ruins gradually gave way to a future based on construction, cooperation and a common democratic and economic vision.

Freeing the communist camp, which cost Romanians an expensive blood tribute, gave us the chance to join the most impressive project of peace and prosperity - the European Union. In the 15 years since accession, which we celebrate this year, the Romanians have rejoiced and showed that they deserve to be part of the European project, confirming their vocation as a people attached to democratic values.

While until recently our minds were focused more on prosperity, and economic development, presently, because of the Russian military aggression in Ukraine, in the vicinity of our borders, the borders of the European Union, we return to the vision of the founding fathers of our Union.

The first words of the Schuman Declaration is just as relevant today: 'World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.' Now that the spectre of war is once again threatening world peace after the difficult time of a pandemic, Europe is showing more unity and solidarity than ever before and making every effort to defend peace. The unity and cohesion of the member states and the coherence of the representation of our interests through the EU institutions are supported by the humanity shown by our citizens. And the Romanians today have proved, through the generosity with which they open the doors to their homes to Ukrainian refugees, that the values we share at the European level are real, and that solidarity is the path of our development together.

Having been born as a nucleus of peace and solidarity, the European Union has developed, consolidated, overcoming major economic and social challenges over its more than seven decades of existence. Thanks to the mobilisation at the EU level, Romania and all the other member states have benefited from the common European response to the crisis caused by the pandemic, and the European recovery and resilience mechanism is a valuable support for the next period. All these efforts are aimed at consolidating the European project, with openness to what the citizens of the member states want.

The proposals outlined in recent months, based on debates and dialogue with citizens at the Conference on the Future of Europe, indicate a wide range of concerns for the future, from climate change to health, economic consolidation, jobs, migration management and the role of European construction worldwide.

Romania has today all the necessary resources to capitalize on the development opportunities to the benefit of its citizens. Adding up to 40 billion euros worth of European money already present in Romania's economy, another 80 billion euros will help speed up modernisation and bridge the economic development gap with our Western partners.

The current challenges prompt the solidarity of the EU states to be manifested also towards the countries with a prospect for European integration - Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. And the common response that coagulated the member states in this context proves the consolidation of the European project that Romania is part of.

Happy Anniversary, European Union!

Happy Anniversary to all European citizens!

Happy Anniversary to Romania in the European Union!"

Nicolae -Ionel Ciucă,

Prime Minister of Romania

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