European official Cristea urges Romania's political leaders to agree on pro-European pact

The head of the European Commission Representation in Romania, Angela Cristea, on Tuesday called on Romania's political leaders to agree on a "pro-European pact to meet the expectations of the Romanian citizens." 

"My hope is that (...) you will find time, honourable political leaders, to agree on a pro-European pact, on a pact that meets the expectations of the Romanian citizens for Romania to be a strong state in the European Union, perceived as such and able to generate the solutions that Europe needs," Cristea said at a conference called "The Road to Sibiu - A closer step," organised in Bucharest by the EC Representation in Romania. 

She said that it is "surprising" that although all parties declare themselves pro-European, very different positions can often be seen in the public space in Romania. 

"This is the year of the Centennial [ of Romania's Greater Union of December 1, 1918], a year in which everybody would like us to regain our unity, to remember what unites us, not what separates us. But now, one month before the celebration of the Greater Union, we see that the political space very divided, but it only reflects what is happening in the public space in Romania. There are issues that break Romania in two, but my belief is that we can find bridges so that we can unite these two Romanias. We know that there are in fact more than two Romanias - anyone travelling through the country discovers that - and then I find it important for us to be able to concentrate (...) to build those bridge buttressed by the common values that we all share," said Cristea. 

She added that Romanians continue to be pro-European, but the percentage of those who believe that Romania has gained from joining the EU has fallen. 

"We, the European Commission, are very grateful that the Romanians continue to be pro-European. In the latest opinion poll, 57pct of Romanians trust the European Union, but it is the first time when the percentage of those who believe that Romania (...) has gained from its EU membership has fallen to below 50pct. That is a worrisome figure, although it may be seasonal ... (...) We will see if it is a momentary effect or a lasting tendency," said Cristea.