Speech by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on the occasion of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Germany
according to a press release from Romanian Government sent to NINE O’CLOCK on Thursday, 03 October 2024.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu:
Your Excellency, Ambassador Peer Gebauer,
Dear lawmakers,
Dear Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Thirty-four years ago, the German people corrected the historical injustice of their separation through the reunification we celebrate today. The German people thus demonstrated that the desire to live together in freedom, democracy, and peace was an unstoppable historical force. Germany showed the world that unity not division is the path to prosperity and lasting peace.
Europe was at a turning point at that time, the same turning point that also brought Romania on the path to freedom, democracy, and prosperity; the same moment opened the path for the independence of our Eastern neighbors, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Today, we find ourselves at another turning point that the political will of our societies only and their leaders can turn into a historic opportunity. Today, our challenges are even greater: the scourge of war has reappeared in Europe with the brutal aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We are witnessing a dramatic deterioration in the security situation in the Middle East. We face unprecedented internal challenges at the European level, whether we speak of terrorism, radicalization, disinformation, extremism, anti-Semitism, climate change, or the shockwaves that security instability projects onto our economies.
A German proverb says, “We must take things as they come.” It is a challenging time when we have to manage situations we have never encountered before. In such moments, we must remain firmly committed to promoting and protecting European values, in full solidarity and cooperation. Therefore, it is essential to rapidly establish a functional and stable institutional framework at the European Union level to meet our citizens’ expectations.
The former German Chancellor and great statesman Willy Brandt once said: “Wherever people are afflicted with grave suffering, it affects us all. Don’t forget: Whoever allows an injustice to continue for long is preparing the way for the next one.”
The war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine affects the security of us all. That is why we must continue working together to provide all necessary support to both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova so that these countries can follow the path we embarked on after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Romania – Germany relations are currently at a historical peak in the last 35 years, thanks, first and foremost, to the two communities: Romanians living in Germany and the German minority in Romania, and secondly, to the entrepreneurs who have created strong economic ties.
Germany is Romania’s most important trading partner with over 43 billion euros in trading volume last year, as Ambassador Gebauer also mentioned. We are confident that we can increase and strengthen the presence of German investors in Romanian markets, in sectors vital to Romania’s economy: infrastructure, the defense industry, digitalization, cybersecurity, health, energy, research and innovation, and, last but not least, start-ups. We also look forward to continuing the excellent cooperation in education, especially by sharing Germany’s expertise in dual education.
Thirdly, our strong relations are based on our shared values, both at the societal and political leadership levels, these values have enabled numerous bilateral contacts at the federal and state levels since I took the office of Prime Minister. This past June in Munich, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Romania-Bavaria Joint Declaration, and just three days ago, on September 30, I signed in Bucharest, alongside the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, the Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation with this state government.
Last but not least, we owe much to the excellent Romanian and German diplomats who maintain constant bilateral contacts, including through the Joint Governmental Committees and are currently working on drafting a Joint Action Plan that we hope to see implemented as soon as possible.
Dear guests,
Our countries remain deeply committed to our shared efforts toward a stronger and more united European Union, in the spirit of European values and principles. Continuing this commitment is particularly important in the current geopolitical context.
I particularly appreciate Germany’s vocal support, especially of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. We count on Germany’s support to complete as soon as possible this process.
I conclude by thanking His Excellency, Ambassador Gebauer for hosting this reception and extending my congratulations and wishes of peace and prosperity to Germany and the German people.
Thank you!”
Text source: gov.ro
Copyright (Photo): : Nine O’Clock/ Mihai Manea
About Nine O’Clock
Nine O’Clock was established in the early 1990s as Romania transitioned from a communist regime to democracy, filling a gap for English-speaking readers. Its foundation came at a time when Romania opened up to the world, attracting foreign investors, diplomats, expatriates, and international businesses who needed access to local news in a global language.
Key Features of Nine O’Clock:
English-Language Focus: It is one of the few Romanian newspapers exclusively in English, making it a valuable source for foreign residents and international audiences.
Political Coverage: The newspaper is known for providing extensive coverage of Romania’s political landscape, including elections, governmental changes, and international relations.
Economic Insights: Nine O’Clock often reports on the business climate in Romania, offering updates on key sectors like Capital Market, Macroeconomics, Banks-Insurance, International investors, Energy, Real estate, Finance, Social, Politics, and IT. The publication is one of the few English-language news outlets in the country, making it a key source for non-Romanian speakers, expats, diplomats, and international investors who want to stay informed about developments in Romania.
The newspaper often includes interviews, opinion pieces, and in-depth analysis, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of Romania’s role in global affairs.
International Perspective: The newspaper is geared towards foreigners living in Romania, investors, diplomats, and anyone involved in international business. Its editorial often emphasizes how Romania’s developments impact the broader European or global context.
Cultural and Social Issues: In addition to hard news, Nine O’Clock also touches on Romanian culture, entertainment, and lifestyle, helping international readers understand the local social fabric.
Special Supplements: It occasionally publishes special editions or supplements focusing on major events like national holidays, international conferences, or diplomatic milestones.
Online Presence: As media shifted online, Nine O’Clock has also maintained a digital presence, making it accessible to a wider audience. Given Romania’s strategic importance in the EU and its role in regional geopolitics, Nine O’Clock serves as a bridge between Romania and the international community, offering insightful analysis and updates.
The diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock does not assume responsibility for the information received and published on the public website. The responsibility for the content lies solely with the issuer of the press release.
The diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock cannot be held accountable for false information transmitted by the recipients of the press releases/announcements.
The diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock reserves the right not to publish press releases that contain inappropriate expressions or accusations and violations of the rights of other individuals, guaranteed by the Constitution of Romania.
The content of the website www.nineoclock.ro is intended for public information. Copying, reproduction, recompilation, modification, as well as any form of content exploitation from this website are prohibited. The use of the Comments section signifies your agreement to abide by the terms and conditions regarding the publication of comments on www.nineoclock.ro.
