UEF Interregional Conference in Bucharest
The Perspective of the Eastern European Countries on the Future of Europe
The Interregional Conference in Bucharest brought together key stakeholders to address EU enlargement, the rule of law, competitiveness, federalist action, and the recent inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area. The conference underscored the critical role of the rule of law as the backbone of democracy, with Alin Orgoan emphasizing Romania’s need to regain public trust following the annulment of presidential votes by its Constitutional Court. He also highlighted Malta’s ongoing challenges with judicial efficiency and the impact of the European Court of Justice’s rulings on judicial appointments.
EU Digital Ambassadors Razvan Petri and Vlad Adamescu, from ‘Politica la Minut’, discussed the need for more public participation among the youth and the transformative impact of the Erasmus program. They underscored the necessity of making Erasmus more accessible and the role of digital platforms in educating and informing the European public.
Dacian Cioloș discussed the renewed focus on EU enlargement, driven partly by Russian aggression and the urgent need for reconstruction in Ukraine. He noted the overall growing political and public acceptance of enlargement despite rising anti-EU sentiments. Cioloș stressed the need for progressive integration, suggesting that member states be allowed access to policies upon completing negotiation chapters, to facilitate smoother integration processes.
The conference also highlighted the disparities in educational funding across EU states, advocating for increased EU funds for economic development and making Erasmus more accessible to financially struggling students, particularly in expensive cities. Alin Orgoan suggested this as part of a broader strategy to ensure that candidate countries embrace EU principles and are adequately prepared for integration.
Furthermore, the need to update EU Treaties was a recurring theme, with discussions focusing on how the current treaties are outdated and not reflective of global changes. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Laura Codruța Kövesi were cited as exemplary models of upholding the rule of law within the EU framework.
The conference concluded with calls for institutional reform within the EU to enhance decision-making processes. The current unanimity requirement was criticized for blocking progress, with suggestions for a more flexible approach. The importance of resource management was also noted, with a specific call to exploit resources like graphite in Romania and implement solutions from reports by prominent EU figures like Draghi and Letta.
Conclusions: The Interregional Conference in Bucharest highlighted the complexities of EU enlargement, the indispensable role of the rule of law, and the urgent need for institutional reform to tackle current geopolitical and economic challenges. Key action points include developing a robust mechanism for integration, increasing economic support, and redefining EU institutions to improve governance.