“I have been able to witness the slow but steady maturing of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and market economy. The accession of Rumania to the European Union next January first is the crowning achievement of these sustained efforts. Both the accession of Romania and Bulgaria fill me with joy and pride. Joy, because the accession of Rumania and Bulgaria brings us so much closer to the complete re-unification  of Europe, and pride because liberals have played a decisive role all along this process. Liberal governments have pushed through the major reforms needed to prepare their countries to enter into the Union, even when such reforms were not popular. In the European Parliament, and in National governments and parliaments, liberals have never ever wavered in their support for the accession of both Rumania and Bulgaria at the earliest possible date.”.
The peoples of Eastern and Central Europe have liberated themselves from communist dictatorship, but the anchoring of their countries within the Union guarantees their freedom and prosperity, and allows them to determine, their own future. As tensions build up between Russia and Georgia, as Ana Politkovskaya was murdered in Moscow, as Russia seems bent upon using its energy resources as political weapons, we should realise that the need for a strong political European Union is greater than ever”, she said. (speech)

Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu pledged that Romania will fight for strengthening Europe by promoting liberal values. “Liberal values and principles can do even more than grounding a strong political party or fuelling deep reforms in a former communist country! They are the key to re-launch the European project! This is the reason why we are here today: to shape up solutions to strengthen the European Union, to make it a genuine space for freedom and security, and to rebuild the confidence of the European citizens in it. (…)Romania will join the EU at a very challenging moment for the Union: the ongoing talks on the future of Europe, the energy issue, the immigration issue - to name only some of the hottest issues on the agenda. We are not frightened by the amount of work it supposes! We don’t see problems; we see challenges and a gateway to new opportunities for Europe! We are glad to bring our personal contribution to such an important moment for Europe! We don’t just want to lean back and expect Europe to do everything for us: our role in the EU is not only about benefiting from it, but also contributing to the entire project, getting involved, as any liberal does.
Let me give you some guidelines about how Romania will behave after accession:

• We’ll carry on reforms at the same high pace, as we have done by now. We’ll do it in order to reduce development gaps that separate us from our European partners and to faster integrate completely in the Union.
  
• We’ll fully observe European criteria and rules that we have committed to during the negotiation process. We understand that this is the way to perform within the Union and help the Union perform.
  
• We’ll be an active, loyal and creative member of the EU. Romania will inject into the EU its enthusiasm and energy for the European project. Romania will be anchored in the European reality and will promote European policies and values.
  
• We’ll contribute to strengthening the European institutions, so that they can serve and deliver concrete results for the European citizens.
  

To cut it short, Romania will be a fighter for Europe! (speech)

VVD Party Leader Mark Rutte (Netherlands) highlighted his vision of European cooperation. “VVD supports strong common policies on foreign affairs, security and trade, and want to intensify cooperation in fighting organised crime, human trafficking and drugs trade. But we must also start thinking and acting together on less obvious themes. More attention should be given to the need for coherent energy negotiations with third countries,” he said. The Dutch Party Leader issued a call to Turkey to recognise Cyprus and stop penalising discussion about the Armenian genocide.

Cristian David Senator, Romanian Minister Delegate in charge of the Implementation of the International Financed Programmes and Monitoring the Application of the Acquis Communautaire, concluded his speech for the Congress opening with a reflection on Romania’s role in Europe. ‘It is obvious that the European Union, as an organization reuniting in solidarity all the nations on our continent is the best mean for the Europeans to face this new fast changing world. For, if Europeans want a better life now and tomorrow, we need a strong European Union.  And, if the EU is to be strong and competitive in the globalized world, it needs to be strong inside, as a political body based on solid institutions, good and streamlined decision-making procedures and an economy steadily growing in a sustainable manner. Romania will be soon the 7^th largest member state in the European Union and we are determined to bring our political, economical, cultural and intellectual contribution to the collective effort of reaching our common goals and objectives!” he said. (speech)

European Movement President Pat Cox congratulated Romania for its achievements and highlighted how reforms and adaptation yield positive dividends. “Some Member States are failing to reform to meet modern conditions; they are in a phase of stagnation and high unemployment, looking at the future with fear rather than optimism. France and the Netherlands seem to suffer from an economic, demographic, immigration, integration BLUES. In those countries, there is a political playground for populism, creeping economic nationalism. In the battle for hearts and minds, we, liberals must confront the stereotypes. It would be great if some EU states tried liberalism for a change. Yesterday’s defensive solutions are not the answer to today’s pressing challenges,” he stated. (speech)

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