Who should represent Romania in Brussels

At the informal European Council, held on Wednesday in Brussels, Romania is represented by the president, like Cyprus, France and Lithuania.

Other Member States sent their prime ministers or chancellors at the meeting.

President or prime minister - who should represent us in meetings of this scale?

In Bucharest, both the Prime Minister and the President claim their representation of Romania.

Prime minister or president, the official representing the country at the European Council must take into account the national interests.

It is a unanimous opinion, but that does not solve the dilemma.

And as there is one place reserved for each country, Romania has to choose.

Journalist Radu Calin Cristea, from Adevǎrul, believes that it would not be preferable to reach a decision by Parliament that would have a politically charge and that the ideal alternative would be the result of negotiations between Prime Minister and President.

"They should take into account, so, the fact that it is a cohabitation between two political forces who share different views, but are forced to work when it comes to national interests.

"I would make only one example: Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that he subscribes to the position which has the head of state regarding the Romanian troops deployed in Afghanistan. So, is a way of suggesting that in certain matters of constitutional powers that take, for instance, as head of President Basescu's CSAT, he may be entitled to represent his country, "said Radu Calin Cristea.

He suggests that everyone take care of its domain, therefore, it would be best that Victor Ponta goes at the European Council dominated by economic issues.

The President did not take "any official position regarding this topic"

Journalist Cristian Campeanu from "România Liberǎ" considers that Traian Basescu should go to Brussels, because, under the Constitution, the representative of the Romanian state is the president and it concludes international treaties.

He wonders what are the prime minister’s reasons to participate at the European Council.

"The president appoints the prime minister, so there isn’t a neutral action appointing the prime minister - I have seen this in recent years - on the one hand, and on the other hand, the President presiding CSAT, which includes the Minister of Finances and the Economy Minister for economic development has consequences for the Romanian state security. Economic policy of a state cannot simply be the government’s attribute "says Cristian Campeanu.

"My problem is what Mr. Ponta is unwilling to take from the decisions to be agreed in Brussels. We know that this government, so far, is less enthusiastic supporter, if not an adversary of the fiscal pact and budgetary constraints arising from there. But they should say very clearly that they are going to denounce the fiscal pact and get Romania with the Czech Republic, for example, or will not do it, "said Cristian Campeanu.

He said that "things are profound" because of commitments that Romania's representative in Brussels will take will depend on government policy for many years from now, whoever is in power.

As to the manner in which some politicians and the media deal with issues related to the representative of Romania to the European Council, the presidential administration comes through with a press release.

"So far, Romanian President Traian Bǎsescu, has taken no official position regarding this issue. Therefore, any approach is absolutely unfounded that refers to a conflict between the president and any other person on the representation of Romania to the European Council "reads the Presidential Administration.


Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University