“I expect the transition to the euro to be the next step”. How Pierre Moscovici sees Romania, almost 20 years after joining the EU
On January 1, 2007, Romania took the most important step in its recent history and became a member of the European Union. Almost two decades after that moment, I spoke with Pierre Moscovici, the man who signed the progress report on the basis of which our country received favorable approval for accession. Moscovici spoke about Romania's progress, but the steps it still has to take to become a first-rank member of the European Union and to join the euro.
Pierre Moscovici is a member of the European Court of Auditors from France
“I think that Romania has made huge progress in terms of the rule of law and the fight against corruption. And we are talking, of course, about economic progress. And these things must continue. My expectation and hope is that joining the euro is the next step for Romania. But to be honest, there are still problems to be overcome. Corruption still exists. There must be improvements. We have also seen foreign interference lead to annulment of presidential elections. (…) If you add external influences – mostly Russia-related, to be honest – and corruption, this can be a threat to national security,” said Pierre Moscovici.
The former European Commissioner detailed the steps that, from his point of view, Romania still has to take:
“To be a full member of the Union and a first rank member, you need to have the rule of law fully implemented, full independence of the judiciary, total independence of the media and a strong fight against corruption. These things are as clear as can be. You also need politicians with vision.
In the context of the anti-European wave that is gaining ground on the continent, especially through the rhetoric of nationalist parties, Pierre Moscovici sent a message to Romanians:
“Romanians must be confident: confident in themselves, confident in Europe and confident in them in Europe. Europe is not the problem, Europe is the solution. (…) You had many structural funds available to develop the country. Europe is not a constraint. Europe is a hope and Europe is a common good.”
Who is Pierre Moscovici?
Pierre Moscovici is one of the most famous names in French politics.
In 2005, he was appointed rapporteur of the European Parliament for Romania, and based on the progress report he prepared, Romania received the approval for signing the Treaty of Accession to the European Union.
Between 1997 and 2002 he led the Ministry of European Affairs, between 2012 and 2014 he was Minister of Economy and Finance, and between 2014 and 2019 European Commissioner for Economic Affairs. He is now a member of the European Court of Auditors from France. In this capacity, he was present in Romania at the debate “Supreme audit institutions and the next generation of leaders in European governance” organized by the National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA).
