The European Parliament has launched a new series of invitations to EU heads of state and governments under the theme, This is Europe. These exchanges and discussions focus on EU actions. Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania is invited by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to address the hemicycle. Extracts from the meeting between the two Presidents and from the speech to the plenary, in which President Iohannis highlights the unwavering support from Romania to Ukraine and Moldova. Klaus Iohannis also emphases how a strong defender of EU values Romania has been since its accession and how important it is to keep fighting against European skepticism.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

meeting

EU - Romania (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

IOHANNIS, Klaus (RO)

president's agenda

This is Europe Debate (T)

This is Europe debate with Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address to the plenary

Exterior shots, arrival of Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President&nbsp;, Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024,  (2  shots)

Interior shots, arrival of&nbsp;&nbsp;Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, family photo with romanian anthem, Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024,  (11  shots)

Interior shots, meeting Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania and Roberta METSOLA, EP President, 

Interior shots, arrival of  Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, family photo with European anthem, Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024, (4 shots)

Interior shots, bilateral meeting Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania and Roberta METSOLA, EP President,, Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024,  (3  shots)

Interior shots, chamber, arrival of&nbsp; Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024,  (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, 17 years of European Union membership have been transformative for Romania and for Europe. It has given new impetus for businesses, for industry, for science and academia. It has brought reforms and social benefits. It has brought opportunities for people and levelled up communities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Dear President, I would like to particularly thank you for your country's unwavering support for Ukraine and for the Republic of Moldova, particularly now that EU accession negotiations have begun. Thank you to Romania for always being the champion the people of those nations needed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Europe is stronger thanks to Romania. Thanks to your reinforcement of the EU's eastern flank. And we will be stronger still when you finally take your rightful place in the Schengen area and join the eurozone in the future. And you will find this house on your side.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, The lifting of controls at the air and sea borders in March must naturally be followed in the shortest possible time by the removal of controls at the land borders. Only in this way will we have the correct and concrete reflection of Romania's contribution to strenghtening the security of the entire Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, We are indeed facing an erosion of values within the European Union, which fuels the perception of decline of Europe, or at least of Europe's leadership and global role. This is why need to do more to promote the feeling - and the certainity - that we are all part of the same community of values, which must be protected by every single one of us.

SOUNDBITE (English), Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, Defending democracy, territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the rules-based international order cannot be subject to any "fatigue". Romania remains engaged in this common effort. We are strongly involved in supporting Ukraine, as well as the Republic of Moldova, intensely affected by the crisis in the region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, There is no doubt that measures such as those discussed in relation to Qualified Majority Voting in specific areas of foreign and security policy can be taken without reopening the treaties.