President Traian Basescu’s New Year address

President Traian Basescu thanked Romanians for their solidarity in 2013, a difficult year marred by political challenges, social tensions and economic difficulties.

In his traditional New Year address, the head of state said that this capacity of staying together as a community proves that Romanians share an identity that rises above temporary disputes.

He expressed his confidence in the future and pleaded for a national project whose priorities should be modernization and economic development.

The President of Romania also congratulated the citizens of the neighbouring Republic of Moldova on what he called a major step forward towards European integration, by initialing the association and free trade agreements with the European Union.

Both Romania and the Republic of Moldova belong to the European family, thanks to their shared language, culture and history and their common values and aspirations, Traian Basescu also said in his New Year address.

He added that, as the new year begins, his thoughts and gratitude also go to the Romanians who live and work outside the national borders, as well as to the military on duty in international missions in foreign theatres of operation.

The President concluded by saying that his wish for 2014 is the consolidation of Romania’s status within the EU and the North-Atlantic Alliance.

This was the last New Year address by Traian Basescu in his capacity as president of Romania.

First elected to office in 2004 and re-elected in 2009, this year he sees the end of the second and last five-year term in office as president allowed by the Constitution of Romania.