Romania believes in strong, united EU

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis said Thursday that his country believes in a strong and united European Union (EU).

"What we want is a strong and united Europe," Iohannis told a press conference at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, adding "that was and will continue to be presented as Romania's stand."

"We have to achieve such consolidation together, all 27 members. That is why we have not agreed on alternatives such as a multi-speed Europe, a two-speed Europe or a Europe of concentric circles," the president said.

According to him, as far as the EU future is concerned, the debates started from a white paper that provides details of five scenarios unveiled by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

"We have not reached the decision-making stage, and we cannot be sure that we will choose any of these five scenarios," said Iohannis, expecting that another scenario may emerge as more adequate, more convenient and more feasible as discussions advance.

"Consolidating the European Union can only happen if cohesion among member states is strengthened instead of weakened," Iohannis told the press before he left for Brussels for a summit of the European Council on Thursday and Friday.

Iohannis has several times expressed Romania's stance on the EU future in the context of Brexit. Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu also stressed that the country opposes multi-speed Europe and supports the strengthening of the European project in its current form.

Last week, Juncker outlined five scenarios regarding the future of the EU post-Brexit in his White Paper, one of which envisages a two-gear Europe allowing individual member states to cooperate in specific policy areas depending on the level of progress.

Source: Xinhua