Relocation of the European Medicines Agency Bucharest Smart Agency in a vivid European city emabucharest.ro Relocation of the European Medicines Agency 1 Mihai Tudose Prime Minister of Romania “Back in 2007, when Romania became a member of the EU, it assumed a trajectory designed to set the premises for dynamic perspectives of unhesitating development on all levels. Now, in 2017, the objectives set back then are ripe for picking. Therefore, a constructive perspective on EU’s future also means fully tapping into the potential of Member States, such as Romania. This potential relies on compelling capabilities, diverse resources, unwavering willingness and profound commitment towards further enhancing the EU project. This is why Bucharest deserves to host the European Medicine Agency. Thanks to the steady pace of economic and societal progress, as well as to the promising economic projections, Romania enjoys the status of an attractive and favourable setting for EMA’s future operations. Bucharest provides accessible and growing infrastructure, modern headquarters, convenient family opportunities or adequate healthcare facilities. This mix of advantages paves the way to further economic and social development in Bucharest and Romania, to the benefit of the EMA operations and its mission to safeguard the health of EU’s citizens. The speed and pace of Romania’s progress on all stages, ever since its accession to the EU, act as triggers to yield over time better results in achieving a high degree of convergence with EU’s prosperity. Amid the current business climate and the promising expectations, I pledge with confidence for Bucharest as a friendly, cost-effective and fitting option to relocate EMA. Having said that, the EMA and its staff will find in Romania and in Bucharest not only professional relocation solutions aimed to accommodate their needs, but also innovative, research and development oriented industries, as well as promising life science initiatives. Bucharest reconciles modern with classic, lively reputation with calm getaways, cost effectiveness with high living standards. That is why, all the requirements in place for the continuity and successful performance of EMA meet up in Bucharest. The Romanian Government is looking forward to cooperating in making this transition a success.” Mission statement “A smart Agency in a vivid European city” 4 Relocation of the European Medicines Agency Romania is strongly committed to turn its candidacy for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency/EMA into a positive outcome. Romania truly deserves this constructive institutional development, which would allow for its increased contribution to the fulfilment of the EU political objectives, acting in the interest of the EU and its citizens. Moreover, since Bucharest provides state-of-the-art premises, good logistics and has a proven record of field expertise, EMA’s efficient continuation of operations could only be a natural transition to a new, safe and welcoming EU capital with high development perspectives. Thus, Romania’s candidacy highly responds to the need of ensuring a cost- effective relocation process, as well as to the objective of optimising administrative costs at EU level. Besides, ever since its 2007 accession to the EU family, Romania has proven its pro-European drive and the bedrock of its society and political actorship relies on the strong attachment to European values and principles. Nevertheless, Romania is amongst the few Member States that do not yet host an European agency. Relocation of the European Medicines Agency 5 Since its 2007 accession, Romania has demonstrated its clear and steady pro-European orientation and its full commitment towards deepening the EU project. Furthermore, Romania Executive is a pillar of stability in the region and has a unique geostrategic position in the Black Sea area. Summary Although Romania is among the few EU countries which still do not host any EU agency, here are the main reasons which reflect Romania’s readiness Starting with the second half of 2016, the Romanian and commitment towards offering to the EMA a Government, together with regional and local new home in Bucharest. stakeholders, have been working to set up a representative package for the relocation of the Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, aims at European Medicines Agency (EMA) to Bucharest. becoming one of the European regional hubs Our approach to EMA relocation is a flexible and for business and tourism and it represents an seamless transition for the EMA and its staff to a important centre for higher education. Taking country with a high potential for development, into consideration the achievement of such goals, located within one of the most interesting regions local development programs are integrated with in the EU - Central and Eastern Europe. the European strategy that aims at providing the appropriate environment for sustainable The CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) tends economic growth. to become one of the most attractive regions One of the strong points of Bucharest’s in terms of active economic growth and highly communications infrastructure are the skilled people, contributing in a representative widespread optic fibre networks, leading to manner to the scientific environment of the EMA superior internet access and data transmission with national leading researchers, students and rates, the foundation of the future Gigabit society. professors, with scientific collaboration between Bucharest’s NetCity project, the underground the healthcare system, the academic sector and infrastructure for optic fibre, is an innovative the industry. project and one of the largest investments in Enjoying stable and reliable macro-economic the city’s communications infrastructure, in line outlooks, Romania, the 7th largest country in the with the European socio-economic development EU in terms of population, ranks first in the EU in policy for local communities. terms of economic growth (5.7%), more than double the EU average (2.4%). Romania offers attractive Bucharest hosts several public data centres of conditions for Foreign Direct Investments, thus a European dimension, able to assure optimal sustaining an economy that generates new jobs collocation and/or operation of equipment, at a steady pace, which relies on a multicultural including back-up and disaster recovery services, environment with a high percentage of language as well as high capacity connections with European skilled citizens. and global content and connectivity providers. 6 Relocation of the European Medicines Agency Two public internet interexchange points function nearby possibilities to work at blue chip tenants in Bucharest, ensuring strong connectivity with in the area. ISPs active at national level as well as with global carriers; this is helpful in providing reliability and The Campus provides a private kindergarten and redundancy of communication paths. the after-school “Junior School”, as well as onsite amenities such as bank branches, pharmacy, the largest gym / spa in Bucharest, as well as a 1.1. State-of-the-art premises large variety of restaurants offering local and in Bucharest as future EMA international cuisine, a supermarket and several coffee shops. headquarters Within walking distance, there are some four star Romania offers state-of-the-art premises for hotels with a total of 606 rooms: the Caro Hotel the future headquarters of the EMA, including (184 rooms), the Cristal Hotel (74), the Phoenicia attractive financial arrangements for the Lease Hotel (348 rooms). Nearby, new hotels are under Contract. The modern real estate concept presents development, with a potential of another 150 an integrated new concept of work and life in one rooms. of the most active parts of Bucharest, the capital EMA’s headquarters can be easily reached from city. the airport in less than 16 minutes. Bucharest The proposed EMA building is part of a real estate Municipality could provide a direct line of integrated project of the Global Worth as developer. transportation between the EMA premises and The project perfectly balances a new concept of the destinations required by its personnel, all office spaces, which combines high technical and around Bucharest, including on the route from/ environmentally friendly specifications, green to the International Henri Coandă Airport. areas and a dedicated commercial component, as well as dwellings. A conference centre completes the mix, providing the infrastructure for a continuous learning process for companies and 1.2. Bucharest - A vivid European city, employees alike. a safe and cost-efficient place to work and live The total Gross Building Area is 36,740.80 sqm with a total office rent area of 27,431.43 sqm. Bucharest offers safe and excellent working and The location is also endowed with highest IT&C living conditions in an open, friendly and welcoming and mobile technologies, some of the best in the environment. With a population of almost 2 million world and 1st in the EU at the end of 2016. The inhabitants, Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is state-of-the-art IT&C of the building and the the 6th largest city in the European Union, after area would make it particularly well equipped to London, Berlin, Madrid, Rome and Paris. Well- provide assistance for the IT requirements of the connected and accessible, Bucharest serves as EMA. the economic, political and social hub of Romania. Close to the EMA building, the Campus residential Bucharest is very well positioned geographically, complex offers 435 spacious dwellings to rent offering swift access within 2 hours by car, to the or buy. Also, family members of EMA staff have Carpathian Mountains, the unique Danube Delta – Relocation of the European Medicines Agency 7 the second largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas – and the impressive Black Sea. Bucharest is one of the safest EU capitals (with less than 1% criminality rate per 100.000 inhabitans), providing a safe place to work and live for its citizens. It has never been a target for terrorist attacks. Romanian citizens perceive as low the risk to national security.