Minister Delegate George Ciamba participated in the last event of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, as part of its parliamentary dimension

Met dank overgenomen van Roemeens voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2019 (Roemeens voorzitterschap) i, gepubliceerd op maandag 24 juni 2019.

Today, June 24, 2019, Minister Delegate for European Affairs George Ciamba gave a speech during the Conference of parliamentary bodies specialised in Union and European affairs (COSAC), the last event of the parliamentary dimension of Romania’s Presidency of the EU i Council, which was attended by the Romanian Prime Minister, Viorica Dăncilă i.

At the beginning of his intervention, Minister George Ciamba thanked the Romanian Parliament, especially the Committees for European Affairs, for their constant and substantial involvement in the successful performance of Romania’s mandate for EU Council Presidency. He also thanked the European Parliament, an honest partner in dialogue which allowed for the advancement of priorities as set forth by the Romanian Presidency.

In the presence of nearly 1,000 delegates, Minister George Ciamba presented the achievements of Romania’s first Presidency of the EU Council, proof of Romania’s commitment to the European project.

Our achievements prove that, during its Presidency, Romania acted efficiently and pragmatically, managed to properly calibrate its objectives, resources and efforts, demonstrated courage and consistency, while observing the boundaries of traditional competences of a Council Presidency. This is yet again proof that Romania certainly brings added value to the European project, that Romania continues to act towards consolidating the European Union and for the unity and cohesion of its member states”, stated minister Ciamba.

Through its capacity to build qualified majorities, Romania achieved major agreements to adopt directives and regulations that had been left pending for some time. Minister George Ciamba mentioned the adoption of the Gas Directive as an example. The Romanian official also highlighted the Romanian Presidency’s efforts to improve the legislation on elections in order to prevent the European political parties or foundations from using personal data without authorisation, as well as their complete involvement on countering the disinformation and fake news phenomenon.

The Minister for European Affairs pointed out that the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council has been steadily grounded in reality, adapted to current challenges. His speech also pointed out the efforts to launch a dialogue on creating a strong European industry, based on artificial intelligence technologies. Romania contributed to facilitating the reflection process on the future of the European energy system, as well as to creating a constant and coherent dialogue aimed at developing a joint EU vision on climate change.

Romania’s six month mandate has also been a challenging one. Minister George Ciamba reminded that the Presidency acted as an impartial mediator, preserving their “reserve of neutrality”. This approach helped manage the Brexit file, by completing 14 legislation proposals, aimed at limiting the disruptive effect of a no-deal withdrawal of Great Britain. He pointed out the Romanian Presidency’s role in achieving the necessary compromise for advancing discussions on the future budget of the European Union, and in reaching conclusions on the enlargement of the European Union, based on constant diplomatic efforts.

Romania will remain committed as a nation, beyond its mandate for Presidency of the EU Council, to materialising this objective, and we are relying on a strategic and future-oriented assessment in order to open adhesion negotiations with the two states - the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania - in the autumn of this year”, concluded the minister.