Iohannis, in European Parliament: 'I strongly plead for unity, cohesion, solidarity in efforts to consolidate European project'

"We are going through a new chapter in the development and consolidation of the European project in which we need to develop a new vision on the future of the Union. From this perspective, I strongly plead for unity, cohesion and solidarity and for the common European path in the efforts to consolidate the European project the key to our efforts must remain the unity. For Romania, this principle is the very essence of the European project that has given it the capacity to cope with the multiple challenges the Union has faced up to now," the head of state said in his speech in the plenary session of the European Parliament, in the debate on the future of Europe. 

He underscored that in the last decade the EU has been marked by multiple challenges - from the financial and economic crisis, the crisis of migration, the terrorist attacks up to the rise of populist movements. 

"It was a decade in which the Union had to learn and adapt on the move," said Iohannis. 

The head of the Romanian state has stressed that European values must always be rediscovered, reappreciated and recapitalised on. 

"The European Union is an evolutionary project. The new realities, both in member states as well as globally, call for a European project to be developed and strengthened, and under no circumstances rebringing to question the fundamental principles that the European project was built on. A strong Union must not be made at the expense of unity. We need an inclusive Union that does not leave any state or European citizen behind. From this point of view, a Europe with more speeds or a Union of concentric circles cannot be a solution to the extent to which we want to maintain the unitary and indivisible character of the European Union, which gives it value and credibility in its relationship with the rest of the world. President Juncker said last year that Europe must recatch its breath, that is to breathe with both its eastern and western lungs. I hope our future together will also show us Europe has one heart. A heart that beats in us all, that unites us, from east to west and from north to south, that makes our citizens to identify and to define naturally as Europeans. We have to assume this common ideal and, if necessary, adapt and recalibrate the instruments through which we can reach it," Klaus Iohannis said. 

The president has argued that the new phase in which the European Union will enter starting 2019 and which Romania, as the rotating president of the Council of the European Union, will prepare it together with the other member states and the European institutions will be fruitful. 

"I am confident that the Summit in Sibiu on 9 May 2019 will be a landmark in the projection on the future of a stronger, more united, cohesive and democratic Union. It depends on our power, wisdom and will - member states, European institutions and European citizens - to turn this objective into a reality. (...) The summit in Sibiu is an important moment for the consolidation of the foundation of this future: a common future, a democratic future, an optimistic future, the future of the European Union can only be built with the participation and direct and active involvement of European citizens. I want Sibiu to be a moment of awareness raising for European citizens. Citizens want concrete measures and tangible results. They want good news about peace, security and prosperity. Also, the citizens must see that we are working to protect and strengthen the major symbols of the Union: the euro, the internal market, the Schengen area and the freedom of movement. At the same time, our citizens need more cohesion. And cohesion is not just the ambition of the new member states, which have a lower level of economic convergence, but it is a necessity also for the oldest members of the Union," Klaus Iohannis said.

AGERPRES