Romania'a image in Brussels analysed at the European Parliament

28 Iunie 2006

Romania is perceived to have started a positive period in its history, accompanied by dynamic economic and social changes

	Final report of the Study [EN]
	Press monitoring [RO]
	Feedback form Study and Conference*
*even if you did not attend the conference please feel free to give us your opinion about this study

On 28 June 2006, Club "Romania-UE" Bruxelles launched the "Footprint Romania" study during a debate at the European Parliament premises. The study, gathering feedback from 474 respondents, has as main objective the evaluation of Romania's perception in the Brussels' European affairs environment.

The debate animated by the Club "Romania-UE" brought together a large European audience interested in finding out more both about the European Institutions' point of view (the European Parliament, the European Commission), and the Romanian decision-makers' perspective towards the country's role among other European states.

"In 2007 Romania will become the 7th largest political power in the European Union. It is our responsibility, as Romanians working already for several years in "euro-Brussels", to evaluate how our country is perceived in these circles. "Footprint Romania" is an independent study, developed by the "Romania-UE" Club, without financial support from the EU or Romanian institutions. The study includes not only a snapshot of Romania in the Brussels European circles, but also ten recommendations on improving Romania's image in Europe", says Dan Luca, "Footprint Romania" Project Coordinator.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rhen welcomes "the initiative of 'Footprint Romania' to launch a constructive debate on several key topics related to Romania's image in the EU", and also draws attention to Romania's transformation process during the last years. "To clear the remaining clouds and to convince all EU citizens that the country is fully ready for this historical rendez-vous, my best advice is to encourage Romania to deliver the last effort, to go the very last mile", adds the European Commissioner. Romanian President Traian Basescu is "determined to convince the European partners that bringing Romania into the EU is not only in our benefit, but at the same time in the Union's interest".

Until accession, Romania has to accept a not always encouraging reality of the perception that the European citizen has developed during the past years. The study reveals that Romania is generally seen as having strong individual culture and attitude, with a good economic growth potential (mentioned by 42% of respondents). There are important resources for the country's future development and Romanian creativity also plays a main role. However, 66% of respondents see Romania as "old fashioned"; while 52% see it as "messy" and "unorganised". Romanian civil society from inside the country and abroad has a decisive role in changing these perceptions. The study underlines that 43% of participants do not have a clear opinion whether Romania is a productive country or not, but they believe that a better promotion of business opportunities in Romania, with clearer and more secure rules, is a necessity.

Roxana Lesovici, President of Club "Romania-UE" concludes that "the statute of Romania will change from an accession country into a member state within a short period of time; with it, also our country's image and perception in the EU will change. We need to consolidate the image of a responsible young member state and alter the unsound perceptions in place".

The "Footprint Romania" project team gathers: Alina Boiciuc, Jiska Bolhuis, Diana Cioponea, Ana Costea, Diana Filip, Andreea Gulacsi, Mariana Iusco, Roxana Lesovici, Dan Luca, Nelu Neacsu, Mike Owens, Dana Popp, Voichita Sinziana Radu, Cleopatra Rusu, Oana Uiorean, Raluca Ursu, Cristina Setyar and Aurel Trandafir.