USR and PNL propose that 2027 become the "Year of European Romania”

Parliamentarians from the Save Romania Union and the National Liberal Party have submitted a legislative initiative by which the year 2027 would be declared the "Year of European Romania”, and the period 2027-2037 to be consecrated as the "Decade of European Consolidation”. The project is launched in view of the 20th anniversary of Romania's accession to the European Union and proposes a new strategic objective for the country: full integration into the European decision-making core. The initiative bears the motto "20 years at home in Europe” and aims to transform the anniversary of accession into a moment of reflection and, at the same time, into a starting point for a national project oriented towards the next ten years.

• Objectives for the period 2027-2037: euro, convergence and European influence

According to the initiators, the "Decade of European Consolidation” should have several major targets: Romania's accession to the Eurozone; reaching the European Union average in terms of GDP per capita at purchasing power parity; capitalizing on the opportunities of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework; consolidating Romania's role in the European decision-making process; strengthening security at the Union's eastern border.

• The balance sheet of two decades of membership in the European Union

The initiators emphasize that accession to the European Union was the main driver of Romania's modernization, through access to European funds, the single market, freedom of movement, educational programs such as Erasmus+, investments in infrastructure and the consolidation of the rule of law. According to the data presented by the initiators: Romania received approximately 108.3 billion euros in the form of non-reimbursable funds; the contribution to the EU budget amounted to about 35.9 billion euros; the net positive balance was about 72.4 billion euros;

for every euro contributed to the European budget, Romania received back about three euros. Ovidiu Cîmpean, PNL deputy and vice-chairman of the European Affairs Committee, believes that the next decade must be dedicated to consolidating Romania's influence within the Union. "Joining the euro area is not a technical issue, it is a strategic decision to anchor Romania in the European core", said the liberal parliamentarian. He also stressed the importance of supporting the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkan states on their European path, appreciating that the enlargement of the Union represents "a direct investment in Romania's security". Alin Stoica, USR deputy and co-initiator of the project, highlighted the role of civil society in defending democracy and the rule of law. "Civil society was the one that pushed Romania forward, defended fundamental values and reacted to attempts to transform Romania into an illiberal state,” he declared. The legislative project explicitly recognizes the contribution of citizens, the independent press, academia, local authorities and the private sector to strengthening Romania's European orientation.

• A symbolic project with strategic stakes

By establishing the "Year of European Romania” and the "Decade of European Consolidation”, USR and PNL are trying to set a long-term strategic direction for the country's development, in a context marked by geopolitical, economic and security challenges. 20 years after joining the European Union, the initiators argue that Romania must move from the status of beneficiary of European integration to that of an influential actor in defining the future of the Union.