Romania’s position regarding the ENP in the broader context of European and Romanian politics. Between Scylla (internal constraints) and Charybdis (abroad expectations)* By Mihai Sebe, Phd Email: m.sebe@youngdemocrats.eu * The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization he is connected to.

What EU wanted What the universe provided large area of prosperity, stability and security for all local actors took action to initiate reforms to obtain: rule of law, social justice, increased accountability. conflict rising extremism and terrorism human rights violations and other challenges to international law economic upheaval major refugee flows Elites socialization Moldova on the Western Agenda Visa Free travel agreements with the eU

focused programmes based on the Cross Border Cooperation Programmes the ENP reform - promote both flexible and focused approach of the EU- EaP countries. focused programmes based on the Cross Border Cooperation Programmes better communication the EU should involve itself in social policies that will increase the quality of life for the citizens from those countries in order to decrease the fragmentation levels that are present in Ukraine or Moldova Moldova - we would propose a “6+1 formula”, where the EU is integrated as a negotiating party, not just an observer. the EU Special Representatives and EU delegations in EaP countries should be given a stronger political mandate From 04.03.2015 until 30.06.2015 - Consultation: "Towards a new European Neighbourhood Policy“ – What the Romanian Academia suggested

States the need for a synchronization with the EU Global Security Strategy Recommends a crisis leadership on behalf of the EU able of fast reactions Wants a better communication The core principle – the right to life (all else must be derived from it) Eastern European States – must be granted the membership option to the EU ENP must also integrate – the cross-border cooperation + Black Sea Synergy + Danube Strategy Russia destabilizing actions must receive an equal reaction on behalf of the EU Visa liberalization for Georgia and Ukraine A. Chamber of Deputies, Romanian Parliament Chamber of Deputies Opinion (36/13.04.2016)

Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine must have an European perspective Romania can and must provide them expertise in areas such as: energy, administration, good governance, justice, banking and economic system Increase of the security dimension – EU must consolidate the speed and the capacity of military intervention Balance between South and East EU must maintain a variable geometry Rejects the option that financial allocations are to be done trough the algorithm “two thirds for South, one third for East” Reflects the concern that the ENP goes toward the traditional foreign policy model instead of promoting the European model Acknowledges the fact that Russia has obtained a de facto veto right on EU policies A. Chamber of Deputies, Romanian Parliament Chamber of Deputies Opinion (36/13.04.2016)

B. Official Governing programme ( in force since November 2015) The 2015 regime change hasn’t affected from a declarative point of view any of the Romanian priorities in regards to its Eastern neighbors The active support and promotion of the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova on the basis of continuation of the Reform process Key objective – to transform Romania’s neighborhood (Western Balkans and Eastern Neighborhood) into a democratic area, of stability, prosperity, security and predictability B. Official Governing programme ( in force since November 2015)

Increase coherence and efficiency of the ENP – based upon a better understanding of specific realities of the partner states, an ENP able to calibrate its operating toolbox in accordance with these realities EaP – key role. Romania has constantly supported the partner countries – especially Moldova ENP reform must be correlated with EU Global Strategy – in this context Romania tries to have the Eastern dimension of the ENP and the Black Sea Synergy fully reflected in the future Strategy (H.E. Lazar Comanescu, Speech, 29.03.2016) B.1. Romanian MFA

The Eastern neighborhood has been sidelined by the Southern dimension (due to the refugee crisis) – need for Romania to remind our partners about the fact the instability causes are not gone, on the contrary Romania actively supports Moldova in its European efforts – energy, infrastructure etc. Ukraine – consolidation of relations – new Romanian consulate in Solotvino Russia – dialogue but not “business as usual) (H.E. Lazar Comanescu, Interview, 09.06.2016) B.1. Romanian MFA

C. Presidential administration Ukraine – Romania supports the political and diplomatic efforts for conflict resolution based upon the principles of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty Moldova – supports its European aspirations (conditioned by the Moldavian political will) + the need to maintain and expand the European partners obligations toward Moldova (H.E. Klaus Iohannis, Speech, 21.01.2016) C. Presidential administration

Moldova – a special place of interest for Romania Support for reforms, energy connections, fight against corruption D. Electoral campaign

Consolidation vs. enlargement The bad news: no enlargement in the near future nor a serious reshuffle of the Eastern Partnership The good news: the end of the illusions and the beginning of the consolidation process EU needs a time-out period in order to process all the simultaneous crises it is dealing Consolidation vs. enlargement

Lessons of the elections - aurea mediocritas The geopolitical importance of Moldova seems to diminish – it would provide us time to consolidate the internal reform process The recent elections show the fact there is an option to the current political landscape – the future is yet bright The end of the illusions is the first step toward the healing process – neither the EU, nor the USA or Russia would risk antagonizing each other on the topic of Moldova nor they would massively invest in the support of the regime in place The best option – a pro-European approach, reform based where the progress is rewarded and the transgression are sanctioned Democracy and rule of law as well as prosperity cannot be exported but just supported and everyone must work for that. Lessons of the elections - aurea mediocritas

Thank you!