Romania is ready to offer its experience to both countries in transition to democracy and to those who want to strengthen their institutions, Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu said, on Thursday, at the meeting of the Governing Council of the Community of Democracies, organized in Bucharest.
"We are ready to work closely with all members of the Governing Council, the civil society and the general secretariat to ensure the success of our mandate. (...) Romania has assumed the Presidency of the Community of Democracies at a special moment in history: 30 years since embracing democracy as a fundamental choice for our future. Today, we enjoy the benefits of dynamic developments brought by solid institutions with the support of a free and independent press and an active civil society. The rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are values that we share with many partners and friends around the world and represent the cornerstone of our societies' commitment to democracy. We have learned many lessons over time, including in recent years, and we are ready to share our experiences to the countries in transition to democracy, as well as to those seeking to strengthen their democratic institutions," said Aurescu.
He underscored the changes that have taken place in 30 years and the challenges that democracies face.
"No nation is immune. There are dangers that we must be prepared to deal with. We, in Europe, witnessed during last spring's European Parliament elections the real challenges to democracy, to which people were prepared to respond and defend it. On the same occasion, in Romania, the society proved its maturity and the fact that it is prepared to defend values such as the rule of law and the independence of justice at the referendum convened by the President of Romania in May," said the Foreign Affairs minister.
Minister Aurescu said that, in 20 years, the Community of Democracies has made considerable progress, stressing that it is time for the initial mandate of this organization to be revised.
"I think it is our part, that of its members, to decide the role we want to keep and the kind of commitment we need and I invite your countries to mark 20 years since the Warsaw Declaration through a realistic review exercise," he said.
The Romanian head of diplomacy announced the organization of the Youth Forum and the ministerial conference in Bucharest, on 25-26 June.
AGERPRES
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