#Romania2019.eu/Senate's Tariceanu: We must support convergence and strengthen cohesion at the level of the entire EU

President of the Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu pleaded for the defence and strengthening of cohesion at the level of the entire European Union, and underscored the European Parliament's (EP) role in the cooperation at the level of the EU and its institutions.

"The EU is at a turning point. The members of Parliament should be in solidarity to support convergence and defence, and strengthen cohesion at the level of the entire EU (...). These things are fundamental because they prevent the gaps already existing between the East and the West, and between the South and the North. We want these to be transformed in an irreversible manner, because otherwise, we have to face the risk of a confrontation with populist and extremist forces. (...) Because the EP became a key-partner in the cooperation at the EU level and its institutions, and we won in Parliament an increasingly important role in the Union's functioning, we believe that the COSAC [the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union] is the suitable forum for the exchange of information and for the exchange of good practices. In the next moths, we have many challenges that will need everyone's experience - the unfolding of Brexit, elections to the EP, adopting a multiannual financial framework. (...) In view of strengthening the European project, we must protect the entire synergy have feasible objectives, so that the citizens see tangible results in respect to the economic and social aspects of their existence," Tariceanu stated on Monday at the meeting of the chairs of the[the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union, which is taking place in Bucharest these days.

He stated that Romania took over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council in its 12th year since becoming a member of the community space and the next six months "will represent intense work and determination from the Government and Parliament to responsibly fulfill all the duties."

"For the EU members it will be an opportunity to learn more about our work style, about communication and relations in Romania and more about Romania," Tariceanu added. AGERPRES (RO - author: Livia Popescu, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Adina Panaitescu)