PRESS RELEASE - BRUXELLES   



 

Today, the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr Adrain Nastase, has taken part in a colloquium on the Future of Europe organised by the Belgium Prime Minister Mr. Guy Verhovstadt with the support of the Royal Institute for International Relations. The colloquium was addressed to prime ministers and other officials from candidate countries. President Romano Prodi has also attended the event.

Before referring to a few substantive related-issues, Mr Adrian Nastase stressed that Romania, as well as other candidate countries, had previously expressed the interest to be involved in the process of building the future Europe. He appreciated and expressed his gratitude for the initiative of Prime Minister Verhovstadt to organize this event that meets the wish of the Government of Romania. This has been all the most welcomed since the event is organised just before Belgium takes over the Presidency of the EU Council.

Mr Adrian Nastase pointed out that the initiative of the Belgium Prime Minister was along the continuation of a process developed during the Swedish Presidency and a very important signal of the willingness of the future Presidency to pay an important attention to the enlargement process of the EU as an essential element of the reform, and more general, of the building of the future of Europe.

Regarding the subject of the debate of the colloquium, Mr Adrian Nastase pointed out the following:

a) Romania wishes to take part and to bring its direct contribution to the model of the society and the civilization that will give Europe its deserved place in a fast globalising world;
b) Europe could best promote its own identity and values by establishing the political union and the economic and monetary union. This means a more profound political integration, a more closer Union to its citizens, the establishment of a common area of freedom, security and justice.
c) cultural diversity is an essential dimension of future Europe;
d) Romania wishes to join the Eurpean Union as an active, modern and efficient entity on the international stage, able to project stability and prosperity beyond its own frontiers.

Mr Adrian Nastase has also informed that the internal debate in Romania has been launched on the very Day of Europe, the 9th of May, with the view to preparing for the European Council in December this year a coherent vision, structured on this historic process, thus bringing a concrete contribution of Romania to the preparation and running the Intergovernmental Conference to be held in 2004.

Mr Adrian Nastase has also announced that Romania is considering in the coming future the establishment of a working group comprising of representatives of the Government, Parliament, academic environment and civil society to elaborate the vision of Romania on the future of Europe.

 

The Department for Institutional and Social Analisys
June 26, 2001