May 9th – A holiday with a triple significance

May 9th has threefold significance for Romanians

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Bogdan Matei, 10.05.2018, 13:49

First and foremost on May 9th Romanians celebrate the
Independence Day. Proclaimed in Parliament in 1877 and defended by its soldiers
on the frontline, the day marked the country’s separation from the sovereign
Ottoman Empire, and became the cornerstone of the modern Romanian state to be
built by King Carol 1st and King Ferdinand.

The Royal Dynasty also linked its name to the United Nations’
victory against Nazi Germany. According to historians, a decision by Romania’s
last king, Mihai 1st, to take the country out of the alliance with
the Axis powers, shortened World War Two by at least six months.

Condemned by the post-war communist regime to terror, humiliation
and poverty, Romanians are now able, thanks to the anti-communist revolution of
1989 and their EU accession in 2007, to also celebrate Europe Day. This day
marks the victory against Nazism in 1945 and the declaration through which, in
1950, the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schumann, launched the EU project.

At Wednesday’s reception offered by the Romanian Presidency on this
occasion, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis deplored the fact that there
are politicians in Bucharest who question the Union’s role and relevance, at
the same time neglecting the benefits of belonging in this project, arguing
that Romania would be better off outside the European family. Here is president
Klaus Iohannis.

Klaus Iohannis: What these
politicians don’t say is that without the rule of law, without correct laws
there is no prosperity and high living standard for most of the citizens. There
would only be privileges for a small group ruling the country.

The country’s Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said in a
communiqué that Romania believes in the European project and that it is taking
action for its support and development. The Romanians’ standard of living has
constantly grown after the country’s EU accession 11 years ago, Angela Cristea,
the head of European Commission Representation also said.

According to Mrs. Cristea, Romania has to
continue its efforts to have the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism lifted,
which is an instrument through which Brussels is monitoring the situation in
Romania’s legal system.

Angela Cristea: Romania has come very
close to the point of having this Cooperation and Verification Mechanism
closed, but of course, it must continue the progress it has registered in the
past years and not stop. Another file still not closed is the country’s
accession to the Schengen area. Romania has met all the criteria to join
Schengen and only needs a political decision. The effort Romania needs in this
respect is more of a diplomatic nature. And the third unclosed file is that of
the country’s accession to the Eurozone. This is the most complex file and we
hail Romania’s decision to have set 2024 as the deadline for this accession.

The head of the European Commission
Representation in Bucharest has recalled that the EU executive is determined to
support Romania, including with European funds, so that the country may join
the Eurozone.