K. Iohannis: Ethnic-based autonomy is not desirable

Ethnic-based autonomy is not desirable because it would inhibit development, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said during his working visit to Harghita and Covasna. Present at Miercurea Ciuc, at a debate where some 300 local representatives from Harghita and Covasna attended, the President referred to the young people in this area who do not speak Romanian well, and said that a solution should be found in this regard, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

At the beginning of the debate, the local elected representatives of the Szeklerland sang their anthem in front of the Romanian President. Iohannis stated he didn’t know such a moment would come, but he said he listened to the anthem as a sign of respect.

RRA Reporter Oana Bâlă: The President said he appreciated the balance shown by the majority of local elected representatives from the counties of Harghita and Covasna. Too many times, the realities of these two counties, mostly inhabited by ethnic Hungarians, are interpreted by one side or another in a dividing manner, which can only emphasize differences and promote hostility, Klaus Iohannis said.

In the President’s opinion, intolerance, rejection of ethnic minorities, whether practiced by representatives of minorities or the majority, are undoubted ways to block the evolution of both communities and of the country as a whole.

The President of Romania also referred to three political themes - decentralization, regionalization and autonomy - and specified that Romania needs economic growth and modernization of the public administration.

Klaus Iohannis: "I think decentralization is mandatory, because local elected people know best what the community needs and they must have the necessary tools to act for the local benefit. Regionalization is desirable, but only if it is done in such a way that it leads to the modernization of the administration in order to be more efficient in the benefit of the citizen and if it leads to the creation of new jobs through economic growth.

Local and regional autonomy helps, but autonomy on ethnic criteria is not desirable because it would inhibit development".

Klaus Iohannis also visited the Orthodox Episcopal Cathedral in Miercurea Ciuc, the Şumuleu Ciuc Monastic Complex, the St. Stephen's Residence and the Perla Harghitei factory. A visit to the City of Sf. Gheorghe, in Covasna County, was also on the Schedule, and a military ceremony at the Mărăști Mausoleum in Vrancea County, in the evening.

The Bishop of Covasna and Harghita, Andrei Moldovan, handed to President Klaus Iohannis a letter that highlights the most important requests of the Romanians in the two counties.

It is urgently necessary that solutions are found for ensuring, through the central budget, the financial support for the projects promoted by the cultural, religious and civic associations and foundations of the two counties, given the extremely low economic potential of the Romanian community in this area – the letter mentions, among others, according to RRA correspondent Angela Bîrsan.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei