On European Values

Fresh statements on Europe Day

Roxana Vasile, 10.05.2023, 14:00

‘The anniversary this year finds
us at a moment of deep change at global level and the consequences of the
Russian Federation’s war on Ukraine have multiplied’ Romanian president Klaus
Iohannis said in his address on Europe Day, May 9.

According to him, the European
solutions to the present-day challenges are solutions for the future of the
citizens of this continent and Romania has the capability of significantly
contributing to their implementation. Romania is a mature and responsible
member of the European Union, has a solid and credible European profile,
acknowledged and appreciated by its partners – Klaus Iohannis went on to
say.

The president has also voiced hope
that by interiorizing these reference points, the Romanian citizens will
continue to have an unflinching support for the EU’s fundamental values.

The European Parliament convened in a
plenary sitting and celebrated Europe Day in Strasbourg. Invited to present his
vision on the challenges and the future of the old continent, German chancellor
Olaf Scholz, whose country laid the foundations in the early 50s to what was to
become the EU, he urged the bloc to reform itself, not to cave in to pressure
and remain geopolitically an equal partner both in the relation with the USA
and the competition with China.

And since an aggression war is being
waged in the EU’s vicinity, a war that has changed lives, the European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated Europe Day through a visit
to Kyiv where she said, quote: Ukraine has been fighting for the ideals that
we celebrate today to create lasting unity and peace. Von der Leyen added that
Russia has dramatically failed and Ukraine is fighting back successfully.

Furthermore, the EU official announced
the EU would impose an eleventh package of sanctions on Russia soon aimed at
eroding Putin’s war machine and his revenues. She responded cautiously though
to president Zelensky’s request on stepping up the country’s EU accession
negotiations.

The Ukrainian president has thanked
all the European states for the military, economic and political support
granted to Ukraine but showed disappointment regarding the restrictions imposed
by some neighboring countries to the exports of Ukrainian grain. Romania was
not among them. Zelensky says that he understands those exports have caused
imbalances but Ukraine needs the solidarity of all those who can help it.

(bill)