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Former non-affiliated Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos says his decision is not to join the Save Romania Union (USR), which he made after first talks with USR national leader Nicusor Dan.
"I want to confirm that my decision is not to take the step toward USR membership. In fact, this is a decision I made before rumours emerged, before the establishment of that negotiating team inside USR, the positions and reactions of the past days. It is a decision that I made after first talks with Nicusor Dan, to whom I announced it more than one week ago, when he voiced his clear opinion in his capacity as USR national leader," Ciolos writes in a Facebook post.
He adds that he is surrounded by people from his governmental team of one year ago, with whom he "worked out policies that Romania needs and will need, people who can still do good things for the country."
"It has never been the problem of me negotiating over a position or other inside USR, as some public statement would like you to believe. Talks centred on a possible joint project of my team and USR. My talks with the USR national leader have always been conducted with openness and in good faith, with us focusing on what we can build together. I will never be one to push people aside, to sit at a table that is already laid or to reap the fruit of others' labour," writes Ciolos.
He added that he cannot judge the reasons behind decisions made inside USR, and that he thanks all those who want him to join USR.
"I believe the debate should not have been about a person, no matter who that may be, but about the extent to which USR wants to open itself to those who want to contribute towards this political endeavour. It is a decision USR will have to make. To me, it is clear that my joining the party now would lead to disunity, which I do not want. I am convinced that to the extent to which our actions are underpinned by the same moral values and the wish to lend a helping hand to change Romania for the better, our paths are likely to cross again, " Ciolos concludes.
