Romania has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU since 1 January. Having joined the European Union in 2017, this Member State chose as its Presidency slogan “Cohesion, a common European value”, and put forward four priorities: - a converging Europe; - a more secure Europe; - the EU, a stronger global player; - a Europe of common values.
And beyond these priorities, the Romanian Presidency will have to face the prospect of Brexit scheduled for the end of March, while the British Parliament has not approved the United Kingdom's withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU (see EUROPE 12160). Complicated negotiations are expected on the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, not to mention the holding of European elections at the end of May.
Bucharest knows that the social-democratic and liberal coalition government's approach will be carefully observed in the field of the rule of law. The country has been criticised for recent justice reforms and the adoption of laws that could weaken the fight against corruption (see EUROPE 12156, 12136). The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, also expressed his doubts about the Romanian government's ability to assume its half-year long role. According to him, while “technically well prepared”, this government “has not yet fully understood what it means to preside over the EU countries”, he said in the German press at the end of 2018.
EUROPE met the Romanian Ambassador to the EU, Luminița Odobescu, at the end of December 2018. She outlined her country's priorities for the Presidency of the Council of the EU (interview by Camille-Cerise Gessant).
Agence Europe - The Romanian Presidency's slogan is "Cohesion, a common European value" - why this choice?
Luminița Odobescu - The Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will be marked by some key events: the transition to a new institutional cycle, Brexit and the preparation of future EU-UK relations, the leaders' summit in Sibiu in early May, and the European elections... The European dynamic is further intensified by a rapidly changing international context[...].
That is why we have chosen cohesion as the slogan, a common European value, in a broad sense of unity, of working together - European institutions and Member States - but also of bridging the divisions between the Member States, North and South, East and West, and of intensifying the links between Brussels and the citizens.
The main priority of the Romanian Presidency is “Europe converging’’. What does this mean?
We have several priorities in this area, all linked to the European agenda. We want to finalise several dossiers under negotiation with the European Parliament, for example, more than 44 legislative acts on the single market.
We must continue to make progress on the reforms needed to boost competitiveness. Capital market and infrastructure proposals are key objectives to better prepare the EU for global competition.
The digital sector, innovation and artificial intelligence, connectivity, transport, energy, the fight against climate change are also important.
The objective is to continue to act to reduce divisions in terms of economic, social and territorial development across the EU and, to do so, we still need measures, instruments and policies at European level.
In addition, we will have negotiations on the multiannual financial framework, where we want to make significant progress, not only on the architecture of the future budget, but also on the texts of sectoral proposals.
This is an important issue for the Romanian Presidency, because it is important to make progress in order to prepare a political decision in autumn 2019, and to achieve this we need to continue the work in the Council. There is a lot to do.
Your second priority is a more secure Europe. How do you plan to achieve this?
It is important to contribute to the implementation of the Union's responses to a wide range of security challenges.
Migration will remain a subject of intense debate in Europe (see other news). Our action will not only focus on the external dimension of our policy, such as the protection and better management of the EU's external borders, where we have Commission proposals on the table, for example to strengthen the European Coast Guard and Border Guard Agency (see EUROPE 11254).
There is also the fight against radicalisation and terrorism, cybersecurity and, of course, improving how the Schengen area of free movement functions.
Do you intend to make progress on the reform of the so-called Dublin Regulation on asylum?
Our objective is to continue to work with Member States to try to find solutions.
But it is important to address all aspects, to have a thorough approach on the external dimension - with legislative proposals on the issue of returning illegal migrant -, border protection, and internal issues such as asylum, but not only that.
You want to make the EU a stronger global player. In what way?
Strengthening the EU's role as a global actor is an objective not only of the Romanian Presidency, but also of the Union as a whole, which requires political will to move forward in the implementation of the global strategy and to provide the EU with more appropriate external action instruments.
We would like to work to further develop defence capabilities and instruments in complementarity with NATO.
The focus will be on greater coherence and effectiveness of European action in our neighbourhood. For Romania, the integration of the Western Balkans is important for security at the internal and external levels of the EU[...].
The year 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, and it is time to take stock, look at the effectiveness and coherence of our actions and discuss the next steps
Another priority is “the Europe of common values”. How can we strengthen the rule of law in the EU when the situation is complicated in some Member States? Your country is also criticised in this area.
It is important to promote the European values and principles set out in the Treaty: a democratic, fair and tolerant Europe is the basis of the European project.
At the same time, the European project should progress through an inclusive and open approach to all Member States.
We will encourage dialogues and initiatives on democracy, freedom, human dignity, solidarity, equal opportunities, social justice.
If we look at what is happening in Europe, the fight against racism, intolerance, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and populism are important themes.
For us, dialogue between the Member States and the EU institutions on sensitive issues is very important, and it is important to promote a framework for dialogue in order to move forward.
With regard to the situation in your country, Hungary and Poland, how does the Presidency intend to act?
These are different situations that cannot be lumped together.
We will act in the role of President of the Council[...] Values are important to everyone, but it is important to continue the dialogue; if there are questions, they must be resolved through dialogue
The United Kingdom will leave the EU at the end of March. Does the Romanian Presidency have a particular role to play before and after Brexit?
As President, we must be prepared for various options, not only on the implementation of the withdrawal agreement, but also on starting negotiations on future relations with the United Kingdom.
We are realistic and await the outcome of the British Parliament's vote, and the Presidency's objective is to adopt the contingency measures presented by the Commission (see EUROPE 12163) as soon as possible, as the EU's objective is to protect the interests of citizens and businesses
Your Presidency will also be marked by the European elections; therefore, your time for action will be limited. How will you make a real impact?
It is true that this is not a ‘classic’ Presidency, because the period of work with Parliament is quite short, but we want to be a Presidency oriented towards the future.
We will first try to achieve results in the legislative process with Parliament, but it is important to start the process of preparing the strategic agenda for the Twenty-Seven.
That is why we consider the Sibiu Summit to be a key event of our Presidency and not just for it.
Will the objective of the summit be to show that the EU is capable of action?
Yes, we do not want a stocktaking exercise, but real discussions on the best solutions for the future, and it is important that European leaders show their unity and be ready to work together to better respond to challenges and seize opportunities.
No one expects the EU to waste time thinking, but to act to find solutions for citizens and the Union as a whole.
Romania's image abroad is not always positive. How will you use your Presidency to promote your country?
The Council Presidency is an important moment for each Member State, and for Romania it is a unique and important moment, because it is the first time since our accession to the EU. We will approach the six-month presidency with seriousness and commitment.
It is also an opportunity to present our country and the progress we have made since accession. As a country, we are deeply committed to European values, to the European project. It is important to highlight and show this.