Romanians and Europe Day
Over two thirds of the Romanians are convinced the country has benefitted from being part of the European Union, says a barometer released on Europe Day
Ştefan Stoica, 11.05.2026, 14:00
We celebrated Europe Day on May 9th, a day which marks an essential moment in the history of the European construction, namely the 1950 speech delivered by the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schumann, in which he proposed a new cooperation form on the continent. The Schumann declaration, as it is known, has been considered the basis of the foundation of the present-day European Union. In Romania, officials conveyed messages, which although formulated differently, unanimously acknowledged the role, the European Union played in modernizing the country, in almost two decades of membership. Romania’s President, Nicusor Dan, says that for Romania, the EU accession has caused a rise in the living standard, but acknowledges that the differences between the small and big incomes are more visible in Romania than in other European countries.
He has pleaded for an honest discussion about Europe, free of slogans, admitting the EU has also done mistakes, such as that in which it gave up nuclear energy in favour of the cheap Russian gas, when it neglected its defence industry or when it set targets too ambitious in the environment policy. Nicusor Dan has also spoken about the need of a fair and solid partnership with the United States. Europe means strong institutions, equal laws for all, respect for the public money and chances obtained through work, the country’s interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, says on Europe Day.
He believes that when we are speaking about Romania’s belonging to a space of common values, we wish for a country being part of a community of rules, work and freedoms and not the return to a system based on privileges, obedience and injustice.
Most of the Romanians believe the country has benefitted from joining the bloc, says a survey conducted in all the 27 member states, which shows that 69% of the Romanians are convinced the country benefitted from being part of the EU. Generally speaking, the Europeans in an increasingly larger number are seeing the bloc as a source of stability in a complicated world and are unprecedentedly giving support to a common policy of defence and security. The survey also reveals that most Europeans are concerned about the global situation and the cost of life. Regarding this issue, 41% of the Romanian respondents say the biggest issues at the national level are the price hikes and the inflation rate. 76% of the Europeans believe the EU must support Ukraine until a just and durable peace is achieved. 56% of the Romanian respondents are in favour of the financial and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, but only 45% are supporting the funding of military equipment. A march took place in Bucharest on Saturday, which was attended by hundreds willing to express their support for the European Union. The event ended in the Victory Square, where the government’s building was illuminated in the EU colours. (bill)
