Romanian Minister for European Affairs at Globsec Bratislava Forum

Romanian Minister for European Affairs, George Ciamba, has attended, on 6-7 June the 14th edition of Globsec Bratislava Forum.

On June 6, Minister Ciamba participated in a special panel dedicated to the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in which his interlocutor was journalist Annabelle Chapman. Minister for European Affairs highlighted the significance of the Sibiu Summit, both in the context of Declaration agreed by EU leaders in the Informal Summit of May 9, 2019, and from the larger perspective of agenda of Romanian EU Council Presidency that has constantly promoted unity as a prerequisite of a stronger European project.

Minister Ciamba referred to the convergence of those commitments with the principles promoted by Romania, in its capacity as current EU Council Presidency: defending one Europe, a Europe that is solidary, from East to West and from North to South, identifying inclusive and fair common solutions, safeguarding European values and recognizing the European perspective of the neighborhood countries, collectively tackling international challenges, and capitalizing on global opportunities.In connection to the next EU’s Strategic Agenda, Romanian minister highlighted that it was important to set up common priorities that focus on ambitious yet realistic objectives and that should bring sensible benefits to all EU citizens. To that end, it will be essential to uphold the undertaken commitments as well as to endow the EU with flexible and effective instruments.

Minister Ciamba reiterated the role played by Romanian EU Council Presidency in strengthening the European project and presented the greatest successes that it had achieved during the first five months of its mandate. He pointed out that genuine success of an EU Council Presidency primarily rests on its capacity to preserve and capitalize on its neutrality and therefore act as a fair broker. Through the substantive results achieved in negotiating more than 90 wide-impact, major and difficult legislative files, Romanian EU Council Presidency has marked a return to the original mission of this rotating office.

Minister mentioned Gas Directive, an important step towards ensuring a single and transparent regulatory framework at European level. Another important step taken at European level is reaching a political agreement on the proposal to establish a European Labour Authority. He also recalled that the Romanian EU Presidency had made efforts to fight against disinformation and protect the electoral process, in the perspective of the elections for the European Parliament.

On the margins of Globsec Bratislava Forum, Romanian Minister for European Affairs also discussed the focus of the Romanian EU Council Presidency on deepening the digital market, including with regards to cybersecurity.

Romanian official also participated in a dialogue with František Ružička, State Secretary for European Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia. The two officials approached topics such as EU enlargement policy and new EU institutional framework.

On June 7, Minister Ciamba participated as a speaker in the session “EU’s new political landscape”. Among speakers were also Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs - Tomàš Petřĭček, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Peter Szijjártó, Vice-President of S&D Group in the European Parliament - Maria Joāo Rodriguez, President of Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies - Mikuláś Dzurinda and Director of the German Council of Foreign Relations - Daniela Schwarzer.

Romanian Minister for European Affairs pointed out that the latest elections for the European Parliament were marked by a significantly higher turnout, which demonstrated EU citizens’ strong attachment to the European project. George Ciamba also pointed out that the recently confirmed pro-European options of the citizens revealed that the European project remained popular and credible, but that the institutions were bound to meet the citizens’ expectations.

Romanian dignitary emphasized the importance of a political discourse that focused on values of cohesion and solidarity, as well as the need to promote policies that would achieve European convergence.

In the panel discussions, Minister Ciamba approached importance of the enlargement process and highlighted that for the EU to strengthen its role on the global arena, it had to first demonstrate that it was regionally relevant. He also highlighted that EU enlargement policy should remain unchanged, which would be encouraging for the countries that had already made efforts to strengthen their European way.

Minister Ciamba recalled the excellent results of the Romanian EU Council Presidency with reference to the Gas Directive, a crucial element in strengthening energy security.

Minister Ciamba also participated in a series of bilateral discussions. In talks with Foreign Minister of Bulgaria - Ekaterina Zaharieva, Romanian official approached issues bearing on the future EU institutional structure and the enlargement policy.

Romanian Minister for European Affairs also met Philip T. Reeker - Acting Assistant Secretary, United States Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. The two officials discussed EU’s energy security in the light of adoption of the Gas Directive under the Romanian EU Council Presidency. US official thanked Romanian Minister for the way in which Romanian EU Presidency approached the Transatlantic relationship. In his turn, George Ciamba presented his interlocutor with the status of EU enlargement process and pointed to the importance of securing a climate of stability and pro-European in the Western Balkans. Romanian official underlined the firm commitment of the Romanian Government to continuing allocation of 2% of the GDP to defense.

On the margins of the Bratislava Forum, George Ciamba also met United States Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of Committee on Homeland Security. The two dignitaries discussed about achievements of the Romanian EU Presidency in the first five months of its mandate, with reference to approval of the Gas Directive, as well as about the importance of strengthening the Transatlantic relation. Minister underlined that, in its capacity as the current EU Council Presidency, Romania was a promoter of a stronger EU-USA dialogue on the dimensions that were open to cooperation and that it would continue to act the same way, including from the perspective of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the US.

Round of talks continued with Michel Barnier, EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator. Romanian Minister thanked EU’s Chief Negotiator for constantly informing Romania’s EU Council Presidency and Member States on latest developments regarding UK’s exiting the EU. Romanian official pointed out that irrespective of the scenario, in the last five months the EU had taken measures to safeguard the rights of EU and British citizens and also to protect the business environment. He also recalled the commitment of the Romanian EU Presidency to further supporting the efforts of EU in order to identify a good solution on the matter.

The 14th edition of the Globsec Bratislava Forum focuses mainly on the topic of Navigating through Disruption. Forum is built around five key topics: security and defense, challenges of democracy, impact of technology and digitalization, future of Europe and the main global challenges. Every year, event brings together prestigious participants from fields such as diplomacy, economics, finance, analytical expertise and the world of business, as well as numerous high-level officials representing the European and Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Source:Romania2019.eu