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Romania assures role for cohesion of EU

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Romanian Ambassador to Korea Mihai Ciompec speaks in Seoul, Jan. 18, about Romania's first EU presidency and its challenges. / Embassy of Romania
Romanian Ambassador to Korea Mihai Ciompec speaks in Seoul, Jan. 18, about Romania's first EU presidency and its challenges. / Embassy of Romania

By Yi Whan-woo

Romania will lead the European Union in harmony, although tough tests await the country during its rotating EU presidency from January to June, Romanian Ambassador to Korea Mihai Ciompec said.


During a reception at his embassy on Jan. 18, to mark Romania's first EU presidency, the envoy said the country would faithfully carry out its motto, "Cohesion, a common European value," and enhance political, economic, and social integration within the EU accordingly.

Ciompec's remarks came as the EU faces tricky tests that can change the course of its history, such as the United Kingdom's scheduled exit in March, European Parliament elections in May and wrangling over the next budget.

Political turmoil in Romania has also raised questions over its credentials for the EU presidency.

Against this backdrop, Ciompec cited Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis to give an assurance that Romania, after joining the EU in 2007, could now take a "forefront role" for a "more cohesive, more united, and stronger Europe."

"The Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union will take place at a time when common efforts of the member states and of the EU institutions are needed in order to identify workable solutions to major challenges the European unification project is facing," Ciompec said.

He speculated that a multilateral summit among European leaders in Sibiu, Romania, on May 9, would be "a crucial moment" to send a message of unity within the union and show that his country would "act as a genuine and honest broker" to move the EU forward.

"This is the reason why the approach of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union revolves around the principle of cohesion, illustrated in our motto and central theme of the presidency, ‘Cohesion,' a common European value," he added.

The ambassador underscored that the EU policies should be more in line with cohesion among its members and that his country would seek to bring them closer in political, economic and social aspects.

He outlined four pillars to achieve cohesion — ensuring sustainable and equitable development, making Europe safer, enhancing Europe's global role and encouraging equal opportunities and equal treatment for all.

Commenting on budget issues, Ciompec said making progress with negotiations on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF), was among the key agenda.

The MFF determines the budget spending of the EU for at least five years. The current MFF runs from 2014 to 2020 and the EU is working on the new MFF for 2021-2027.

"The European budget is a reflection of how we see the European Union in the future. From this perspective, we will make all efforts to prepare the grounds for a timely agreement on the next multiannual financial framework," he said.

The reception on Jan. 18 attracted Korean foreign ministry officials, European ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps in Seoul.

The EU will have 27 members, if Brexit takes place.

The Council of the EU negotiates and adopts legislation, together with the European Parliament through the ordinary legislative procedure. It also coordinates the policies of EU members and develops foreign and security policies.

The council's presidency rotates every six months. Romania will succeed Austria.






Yi Whan-woo yistory@koreatimes.co.kr


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