12 December 2013 – The European Institute of Romania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized on 12 December 2013 the conference European Union and its Neighbourhood.
The event has been attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Parliament and the Government of Romania, representatives of EU Member States’ Embassies in Bucharest, as well as experts and analysts, researchers specialised in European Affairs and Foreign Policy from Romania and abroad.
The conference focused upon the recent Vilnius Summit of the Eastern Partnership, its consequences in the context of the political and economic evolutions of the Eastern partners, the future of this EU cooperation initiative, possible roadmaps for the Republic of Moldova and Georgia following the initialling of the Association Agreements, visa liberalisation in the region, steps to take in preparing the future Summit in 2015.
Another central topic was the role of regional cooperation in promoting stability, security and economic prosperity as well as European values in Western Balkans. Considering the emphasis that EU’s enlargement strategy places on good neighbourhood relations as an essential element of the Stabilisation and Association Process, an up-to-date subject is the Romanian Presidency of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) and the coordination of its working agenda with the rotating Presidency of the EU Council.
The conference also provided the opportunity for granting the EIR Excellence Awards, the fourth edition, for promoting the European spirit and values to the following distinguished personalities: Ms. Natalia Gherman, Vice-Prime-Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Republic of Moldova; Mr. Leonard Orban, former European Commissioner and Minister of European Affairs; Mr. Vasile Puşcaş, University Professor, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, former Minister-Delegate and Chief Negotiator with the European Union.
Message – Mr. Titus Corlăţean (available only in Romanian)
Message – Mr. Valeriu Zgonea (available only in Romanian)
PPT presentation – Mr. Leonard Orban (available only in Romanian)
PPT presentation – Mr. Carlos Puente