February 2, 2022
PSD President Marcel Ciolacu, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, gave a speech during the joint solemn meeting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Romania’s accession to the European Union.
The full speech can be read here:
“Mr Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France,
Mr. President of the Senate,
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen ministers,
Dear representatives of religious cults,
Ladies and gentlemen MEPs,
Dear Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps,
distinguished guests,
With great joy I wish you a warm welcome to the solemn joint meeting for the 15th anniversary of Romania’s accession to the European Union.
Ever since the emergence of the modern Romanian state, the Romanian people have embraced, with enthusiasm and passion, Western culture and, in particular, French culture.
During the Paşoptist era, during that of royalty, during and between the two World Wars, the Romanians’ choice was always Europe.
After a forced removal during the years of communism, the year 1989 meant the reaffirmation, with all the power and determination of a people yearning for freedom, of belonging to the European project.
A long road followed, marked by many difficult decisions and reforms, but which culminated in 2007 with one of the most significant moments of our recent history, the accession to the European Union.
That moment was a great victory for Romania, but equally a victory for Europe.
In the context of Minister Le Drian’s presence in Bucharest, I would like to note the fact that his country was, in history, one of the great supporters of Romania.
That is why, Mr. Minister, I thank you for the great gesture of friendship to join you in this solemn meeting, especially considering your very complex agenda during this semester of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Distinguished audience,
The European Union is a project in continuous development, whose future we shape together.
In good times we enjoy prosperity, free movement, the opportunity to have pan-European studies and careers, and in hard times we enjoy European protection and solidarity.
The European Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, and, from Romania’s perspective, the NRRP, represent an extraordinary chance for aligning our economy to the most modern standards.
We are now crossing an extremely complicated geopolitical context. First the pandemic crisis, to which are added the particularly worrying developments on the eastern border.
As you know, Romania is a reliable partner both from a military point of view and its presence in NATO, as well as from the position of guardian of the EU’s external borders, by participating in the FRONTEX missions.
We are convinced that a safe neighborhood with prosperous and stable countries is the best way to our own peace.
I welcome, on this occasion, the actions aimed at advancing the European path of the Western Balkan states and intensifying the dialogue with the Eastern Partnership states.
Dear guests,
We are in the European Year of Youth, a moment of recognition of the challenges young people faced during the pandemic.
It is an even better time to remember that it is our young people who will live in the world we are building today.
They must find themselves both in the generous values that led to the creation of the Union, and in the most concrete decisions that will have a direct impact on their daily lives.
15 years after Romania’s accession to the European Union, we need a new political pact, like the Snagov moment, which will give direction to Romania in the European Union in the following period – a new European agenda for our country that will ensure the development of Romania and the use of available opportunities at the European level in the interest of the Romanians.
That is why I conclude this speech with the thought that we must give our young people all the support they need, so that they too can fight for the dream of a united Europe.
Thank you!”
