AGERPRES special correspondent Florin Stefan reports: Romania should initiate bilateral discussions with other EU member states to identify common interests, possible alliances and strategic directions, so as to maximise its chances of effectively benefiting from the new European Competitiveness Fund, strategic communication and European affairs expert Dan Luca told AGERPRES on Wednesday.
He argued that the fund will most likely have a geographical allocation, as other European programmes have had over time.
"If we look at how similar instruments have been implemented in the past, we can anticipate that there will be cut-offs and priorities established at the level of each member state. Therefore, it is essential that Romania prepares in advance and quickly identifies those internal areas with real potential for competitiveness at the European level," Dan Luca told AGERPRES in Brussels.
He even advocated that Romania should develop "a coherent national plan", through which it should "defined its own contribution to the competitiveness of the European Union".
The expert in European affairs underscored that a very important aspect is that the fund "should be viewed from within the Union, not from outside".
Dan Luca also said that this represents an excellent opportunity for Romania to formulate a practical and ambitious vision of development, so that the fund becomes a concrete support for the modernisation of the country and the increase in prosperity. At such a moment, Romania must approach things strategically, while showing openness to cooperation and "a desire to position ourselves as an active participant in defining European competitiveness, not just as a passive beneficiary".
"At this stage, a smart move would be to initiate bilateral discussions with other member states, in order to identify common interests, possible alliances and strategic directions to be supported at the European level. In this way, Romania can maximise its chances of effectively benefiting from this fund and, at the same time, of contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the EU as a whole," said Dan Luca.
The expert in European affairs claims that it is "extraordinary" that MEP Dan Nica "is among the EP rapporteurs" for this fund.
"Having a Romanian in such an influential position is a significant advantage. European industry has clear ideas and directions, and Mr. Nica has the ability to understand and integrate them. As a rapporteur, of course, he must be equidistant, like a European Commissioner, and represent the interests of the entire Union. However, precisely because he understands the Romanian context in depth, he can formulate and support solutions that are also beneficial for Romania," he stated.
Asked to what extent the value of the European Competitiveness Fund (234.3 billion euros) and its structuring on the four main financing axes respond to the challenges faced by the EU, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, the expert in European affairs replied that the EU has "two major strategic priorities".
"The first refers to strengthening a European defence that is as autonomous as possible, with reduced dependence on American support. It is no coincidence that we already have the SAFE fund, which we all know. The second priority, equally important and perhaps even broader, is European competitiveness. We are talking about the capacity of the European space to prosper for the benefit of its citizens," said Luca.
He admitted that the war in Ukraine remains an essential element, "which naturally catalyzes discussions and actions in the field of defence", but added that, despite this, "European competitiveness represents a distinct file - a strategic and long-term one - even if it is influenced by the geopolitical context at the borders of the Union".
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