Romanian FM: 2-speed Europe risk must be avoided

Romania wishes a more deeply integrated European Union, both economically and politically, and is pleading that a two-speed Europe risk must be avoided, stressed Thursday Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean, in a message on the occasion of the Europe Day. "Loyal to our principles of solidarity and cooperation, we stress and will continue to emphasize the importance of the Community method as the only way of efficiently managing problems that will inevitably arise within the Union and the Member States," said the Romanian head of diplomacy. The main motivation of Romania on the path to the European Union was awareness of belonging to a community of values, he added. According to him, "the trust in our common destiny is no longer as strong as it has been in Europe," because of the ongoing economic crisis. Climbs and downturns are unavoidable as concerns the economic prosperity, said Corlatean, stressing that despite the current crisis, "no one can deny in a credible manner the huge advantages of the common market and opportunities offered both to the Member States, and to each citizen alone." Corlatean emphasized that the greatest achievement is the opening and inclusive nature underlying the project of the Union founders and pointed out that "what began with six countries is at the moment a unique and complex construction, consisting of 27 Member States, soon 28, nearly half a billion citizens and common and efficient institutions." Referring to Romania's EU joining in 2007, Corlatean claimed that one of the great benefits of EU membership is the opportunity to take part and to influence the EU decision-making process, and the ability to promote own initiatives in cooperation with other Member States. "We play a key role in advancing initiatives such as the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, in fostering cooperation in the Black Sea region and in supporting the European integration of the Western Balkans and of the countries in the Eastern neighborhood," Corlatean underlined.