PLAYING OINA WITH the Romanian Presidency 1 Table of contents INTERVIEW OF Siegfried Muresan, MEP (EPP) ` 4­7 PRIORITIES OF THE Romanian PRESIDENCY 8­10 POLITICAL CALENDAR FOR THE NExT SIx MONTHS 10­11 wHAT ABOUT Romania? 12­17 Some useful words 18 Let's play OinA! 19 3 relationship between the EU and the UK. Climate change is a crucial global challenge INTERVIEW OF Siegfried MureSan This new relationship, which will probably that asks for a European solution for the be a trade agreement, should guarantee future of our planet. My political family, the Romanian EPP MEP ` that the interests of EU citizens and EPP, is very much aware of the challenges businesses are preserved. we are facing in terms of global warming Hot Topics and CO2 emissions. We believe that Europe Last October, the Intergovernmental must engage with its international partners On November 14th, the European Panel on Climate Change released a very to internationally binding climate change Parliament adopted its position on the alarming report highlighting a number of agreements and invest in innovative, safe, Multinational Financial Framework (MFF) climate change impacts that could be and sustainable low-carbon energy post 2020. At Council level, there are still avoided by limiting global warming to technologies that minimise our dependency remaining sticking points. What are the 1.5ºC compared to 2ºC. Global human- to fossil fuels. The reduction of CO2 ambitions of the Romanian Presidency caused emissions of CO2 would need to emissions is crucial, but must be done at a with regard to the adoption of the MFF fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by realistic pace and while protecting post 2020? Would its adoption still be 2030, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050. European jobs and industries, which face possible before the next European What should be the European political fierce international competition. elections? answer to scientific data brought up by the report? The MFF post-2020 should be agreed upon before the European elections of May 2019. Priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council This is the position of the European Parliament and this is what the Romanian Romania joined the EU in 2007 (which billion EUR in EU structural and investment Presidency should aim for. The European makes it one of the newest). From your funds. These funds have provided crucial Parliament has set out its priorities in a very point of view, what are the main benefits support to SMEs and to farmers, as well as clear manner. First of all, as a matter of you have observed since the adhesion? to investments in infrastructure and Siegfried Mureșan principle, if we call for the EU to be more research. ambitious and take up more tasks, we need There are plenty of benefits Romania is a bigger budget. And we can clearly see After months of negotiations, the UK and reaping from its EU membership. First, there It is the very first time Romania is taking that the priorities of the EU have multiplied EU have come up with a draft withdrawal is the advantage of being part of such a big over the presidency of the Council. Do in the past years, security being one of agreement. The UK Parliament and EU family of nations in a project that aims at you consider this aspect to be a strength these new priorities. Member States should ratify the peace, prosperity and freedom. This has led or a weakness? What kind of vision could agreement before 29 March 2019, which to significant reforms in Romania in many Romania bring to other Members States? On the other hand, the European will allow the parties to start negotiating areas of EU competence. Parliament calls for maintaining the level of their new relationship after Brexit. How is I think it is always a challenge when a investments in the EU regions and the Romania looking to advance the Secondly, being able to access the largest country has never held the Presidency agricultural sector. Regional policy is the negotiations in the coming months? Single Market in the world brings economic before, especially a newer Member State. main investment tool of the EU which growth and creates job opportunities. This could be a great opportunity to put generates millions of jobs across Europe. At The truth is that, whether we like it or not, Romanians are also allowed to travel, work Romania on the map of the European the same time, investments in agriculture on 29 March 2019 Britain will leave the EU. and live freely in any of the other EU Union. and our rural areas guarantee a high level of Having in place a withdrawal agreement by Member States. I think this brings positive food security and standards. that date is imperative in order to avoid a developments to our country through the It will also be an opportunity to advance disorderly exit of the UK from the Union, diffusion of Western values and norms, as certain priorities and files which are being The adoption of the new MFF before the which will have negative consequences for well as through the economic contribution discussed at EU level. The multiannual European elections is necessary in order to citizens and businesses alike. the diaspora brings. budget of the EU should definitely be one avoid delays such as those which we of these priorities. The EU Neighbourhood experienced in the current MFF. Due to In case the agreement is ratified by both Last but not least, Romania largely benefits and the Western Balkans are another these dalays, full implementation of EU parties, the Romanian Presidency will have from the European Structural and priority which should be brought forward funded programmes was very late and it an important role in steering discussions Investment Funds. Since our accession to during the Romanian Presidency. affected primarily beneficiaries of EU funds. within the EU Council on the new the EU, Romania has received more than 48 5 Two weeks before the May 23-26 Brexit negotiations, where we have had the Which Romanian culinary specialty would European Parliament elections, Romania upper hand because we spoke with a single you recommend? will host, in Sibiu, the first EU summit voice. after Brexit, in which the future of the I recommend the dessert called papanași, Union will be discussed. How do you think Regional policy, which generates economic, Tell us which is a traditional fried or boiled pastry, EU officials could encourage voters to social and territorial cohesion in the EU, is doughnut shaped with a small sphere on participate in the elections, bearing in the most important investment policy of the top. They are filled with a soft cheese and mind that the turnout has constantly EU. This is why the EP will push for a strong served covered in sour cream and jam. fallen since 1979? How is Romania cohesion policy after 2020 which favours more about Of which Romanian tradition are you preparing for the Sibiu summit? investments in areas that generate sustainable growth and jobs. proudest? I think politicians must engage more with Romania has many beautiful traditions and the citizens. I think the low turnout in the EU The European elections in May 2019 are Romania one that I particularly like is Mărțișor, a elections is the result of a lack of approaching quickly. What are the celebration at the beginning of spring. On communication between the EU and its dossiers on which the Romanian Could you briefly introduce your country? March 1st, Romanians buy silky red-white citizens. We, the European politicians, must Presidency would like to focus and finalize threads (șnur) tied into a bow to which a do more and better communicate the before the next European elections? Geographically speaking, Romania is one of small trinket is attached and offer them to benefits of the EU on the daily life of the largest countries in Europe (roughly the As previously mentioned, it is very important their family members, friends and citizens. It is important that we show to size of the United Kingdom). One finds a to reach a good agreement on the colleagues to show friendship, respect or citizens concrete projects and policies of the variety of beautiful landforms in Romania, Multiannual Financial Framework and its admiration. It is mostly offered to women, EU which have a positive impact on their from the breathtaking Carpathian sectoral proposals. We must achieve a but in some regions of the country also to lives. This is also the proper way to fight Mountains, to the Black Sea and the budget that is simple and flexible, with men. against populists and extremists, who use instruments that can be easily activated in Danube Delta. disinformation to criticise the EU. Could you recommend me a contem- situations of crisis or unpredictability. We It joined the EU in 2007 and has ever since porary Romanian singer/writer/artist? The Summit in Sibiu is an important must also make sure that it fosters cohesion been on a pro-European trajectory, and prosperity for all, whilst dealing with the occasion for leaders to discuss the future of reflected by the voice of Romanian people, I strongly recommend Herta Müller, an gap Britain’s exit will leave on the existing Europe and what we envisage our Union to who often show their support for and ethnically German Romanian novelist, poet budget. be from now on. Romania should do its best openness to the EU. and essayist. She writes about issues such as to make sure that this summit is a success, With regard to Brexit, the Romanian identity, belonging and the violence and given the high stakes it has.