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<b>Live Webcast:</b> Advancing Romania's EU Membership and the Strategic Partnership with the US

Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, Foreign Minister of Romania

Date & Time

Friday
May. 6, 2005
12:00pm – 1:00pm ET

Overview

Advancing Romania's EU Membership and the Strategic Partnership with the U.S
May 6, 2005

Talking points prepared by Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, Foreign Minister of Romania

I. The significance of EU accession; a stronger Europe and a stronger Trans-Atlantic community
- A week ago, Romania signed the accession treaty to the EU, opening the way for the EU's second wave of enlargement towards Eastern Europe.
Thus, a new chapter of the European construction has been written, bringing us closer to the vision of a Europe whole and free, living in peace,
prosperity and unity.
- For us, EU membership represents the fulfillment of an old dream, that of overcoming all the
historical hurdles of the past and becoming part of a community of values, prosperity and security where we belong.
- The journey into EU, will, hopefully, come to an end on January 1, 2007, when Romania will take up its well-deserved place, as the seventh largest among the 27 member states
- The Europe of 27, based on a Constitutional Treaty, will be a stronger and more reliable partner
of the US
- The next 20 months will be used to complete our preparations for membership; the priorities are:
fighting corruption, justice reform and border security (counter illegal emigration, organized crime and human trafficking)

- We have signed up for our future in a Union based on economic performance, sustainable development, social and economic cohesion. A Union founded on the principles of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, devoted to the practice of tolerance, justice and solidarity and committed to furthering respect for human dignity, liberty and human rights.
- Signing the accession treaty represents the result of many years of hard work that we needed in order to embark on a complex transformation process of the Romanian society, which will also continue after January 1, 2007.
- Our aim is not that of being just a new EU member. We are preparing to play a full part in shaping our common future, to play it by the agreed rules and to play it with enthusiasm. We will assume our share of responsibility and solidarity. We are ready to contribute to the economic growth, security and cohesion in the Union and we will take very seriously our role as future guardian of a large part of the Union's Eastern border, as we share the vital interest of strengthening the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice.
- In its capacity as a NATO and future EU member, Romania fully supports the strengthening of the Trans-Atlantic relationship
- The renewal of the Trans-Atlantic agenda should not only include efforts to deal with issues of immediate interest, but also to improve the institutional framework for cooperation, to meet the needs of the 21st century. There is great room for further strengthening and amplifying the Trans-Atlantic ties, as we all prepare for a common future in the Euro-Atlantic community.
- We support a bigger EU involvement in international affairs, while maintaining and expanding our strategic partnership and special
relations with the US.
- As a fully-fledged member of the Union, Romania will be able to express its deep conviction that EU
and NATO are complementary and essential for a strong Trans-Atlantic relationship.
- We thank the United States for the steady support offered to our European aspirations

II. Romania and the United States - a continued partnership
- As part of Europe, we feel we have a responsibility to use our potential for the good of our democratic
community,
- The EU-US partnership offers us the opportunity to cooperate for promoting democracy and global security.
- We consider that no country can successfully face the challenges brought by the globalization
process alone. In this respect, we will seek an increased US-EU partnership in promoting democracy in the Black Sea region and the Broader Middle East area and confronting terrorism all over the world.
- Romania is a key gate of the Trans-Atlantic community to the Black Sea area and is committed to become a springboard for promoting the values of freedom and democracy in the region.
- In the new geo-strategic landscape of the Black Sea, there is a clear link among the Trans-Atlantic community, represented by the NATO countries, the former Soviet countries and the Broader Middle East region. It is an area whose political, economical and military relevance has been tested during the war against terrorism, when several countries, like Romania, Bulgaria, or Ukraine offered a valuable and concrete contribution.
- What is occurring around the Black Sea may be the beginning of the final phase of the completion of a Europe whole and free.
- While democratic change is ultimately the responsibility of the Black Sea states themselves, the United States has a significant role to play both in supporting and protecting these young democracies.
- Romania is engaged in a strategic partnership with the United States, which we consider crucial for regional security and for promoting democracy in our immediate neighborhood.
- Romania has proved to be a trusted ally of the United States, in word and deed, by participating in the war against terrorism and sending troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Romania will be part of the European Common Market, bringing 22 million consumers and an economy with a high rhythm of growth - about 8% of GDP

- Thus, the EU enlargement could also provide an opportunity for American companies to access this market through investments in Romania.
- Fifteen years after the democratic changes swept the East European countries, we now have a new
momentum to advance the process beyond
Ukraine and Georgia. We need to stay focused and determined in encouraging other countries in the region to embark in a democratization process.
- Romania can also significantly contribute to the fight against trans-border crime in the region.
- The Bucharest-based SECI Center for Combating Trans-border Crime - a direct result of the partnership with the US- has been a real success in strengthening cooperative regional efforts to share best practices, harmonize national legislations and yield concrete operational results
in the South Eastern Europe and beyond. We are looking forward to fostering this initiative and to promoting it as a model for other areas such as Caucasus and Central Asia to enhance the regional cooperation aimed at curbing trafficking in persons and narcotics, financial crime, arms'
smuggling, and financing sources for terrorism.

III. Romania's regional role
- A decade and a half after Romania has made the fundamental choice of building a democracy, our country is a NATO member and we are on the verge of EU admission.
- In achieving these goals, we accumulated an important know-how, which we are ready to impart to our neighbors, by helping institution building in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
- An important part of our efforts were the important steps taken in order to unequivocally assume our
history and come to terms with the legacy of the past.
- Having now the experience of confronting the past, Romania strongly encourages other neighbor countries to start a similar process, while standing
ready to assist them in this sensitive but al the more important endeavor.
- Romania proved wrong the skeptical voices that doubted the will and resourcefulness of the Romanian people. We showed that democracy is possible, that economic and political freedom is achievable. Romania's success offers a model for
the countries of the region willing to embark on a similar journey.
- We strongly support the European Union efforts, through the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP),
which invites our neighbors to the East and to the South to share in the peace, stability and prosperity enjoyed in the European Union countries.
- Romania is interested in a closer involvement in discussions on Balkan's development and especially on the future status of Kosovo. NATO as
well the EU should approach the question of status while projecting a European and Euro-Atlantic perspective for Serbia and Montenegro
- The next challenge is the formulation of a common Euro-Atlantic strategy for the Greater Black Sea
region as Euro-Atlantic security is closely linked with the security of this area
- We firmly support an enhanced NATO, EU and OSCE involvement in these regions in accordance with the principle of "democratic participation";
- We are interested in setting a NATO footprint at the Black Sea;
- As a step-by-step approach, we believe that building confidence in the region can be fostered through initiating SOFT SECURITY PROJECTS as a first approach in supporting NATO aspiring countries in the region.
- Stabilizing the region to the East of the Romanian borders and, implicitly, to the East of the NATO
borders, is not just a matter of national interest, but also one concerning the interests of the NATO
states and of the European Union states
- We will support Republic of Moldova's European aspirations and Ukraine's cooperation with NATO and the EU, in good faith and as good neighbors
- Renewed energy should be devoted to finding lasting solutions for the "frozen conflicts" in
Transdniestria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh
- The persistence of lawless "black holes" threatens the security of Europe by spilling over organized crime, human and arms trafficking, and transnational terrorism
- Considering the identity of language, culture and traditions, we see the European future of the Republic of Moldova as a moral obligation

- Romania will support the positioning of the Republic of Moldova on the natural course of development related to the EU and we will continue to uphold its economic and social stability.
- Last but not least, Romania is looking for opportunities to cooperate with Black Sea countries on economic projects to ensure a lasting development of the region
- We aim to revitalize BSEC regional cooperation and promote the free trade and facilitate transport in this area. Crucially, we need to develop alternative oil and gas pipelines and transport routes from the Caspian basin via the Black Sea region to the European Union.

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The Global Europe Program addresses vital issues affecting the European continent, US-European relations, and Europe’s ties with the rest of the world. We investigate European approaches to critical global issues: digital transformation, climate, migration, global governance. We also examine Europe’s relations with Russia and Eurasia, China and the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Our program activities cover a wide range of topics, from the role of NATO, the European Union and the OSCE to European energy security, trade disputes, challenges to democracy, and counter-terrorism. The Global Europe Program’s staff, scholars-in-residence, and Global Fellows participate in seminars, policy study groups, and international conferences to provide analytical recommendations to policy makers and the media.  Read more

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