Bucharest – On Monday, during a ceremonial session of Parliament for his inauguration as President of Romania, Nicuşor Dan emphasized the necessity of strengthening transatlantic ties, highlighting the importance of the strategic partnership with the USA, Romania’s involvement in NATO, and support for the European Union’s dialogue with NATO. He also underscored the objective of bolstering the European integration of the Republic of Moldova.
In discussing his foreign policy goals, Dan pointed out the need for Romania’s participation in European autonomous defense structures, as well as efforts to reduce critical dependencies in areas such as energy, technology, and supply chains. He stressed the importance of enhancing the defense against hybrid warfare, progressively increasing defense spending in line with partner agreements, and ensuring Romania’s active role in EU decision-making processes.
On the topic of potential payment suspensions from the Cohesion Program and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) due to the necessity of reducing the deficit by June 4, Nicuşor Dan mentioned ongoing discussions with the European Commission. He expressed optimism that the European representatives would recognize the new government’s efforts in Bucharest, noting that significant changes cannot be achieved in just a few days after years of inaction. He highlighted that the main concern lies not with the European funds, but with Romania’s credibility in financial markets and investments, as well as the high interest rates currently faced. Dan asserted that it is essential to develop a comprehensive plan for 2025-2026 that addresses the deficit and provides a stability framework.
The European Commission is preparing to evaluate member states’ progress in reducing budget deficits, with Romania at risk of losing European funding due to unmet obligations, including tax reforms. According to the Commission, Romania’s general public deficit was 9.3% of GDP in 2024, driven by significant increases in public salaries and pensions.
In remarks made on May 24 during the “Student in the European Union” Congress in Romania, Nicuşor Dan indicated that there is an understanding within the European Commission regarding the tax reforms needed in Romania, suggesting that it is unrealistic to expect measures that have been neglected for the past three to four years to be enacted within three weeks. (26.5.2025)
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