My Vision for Europe
Europe stands at a critical juncture. The challenges we face – from geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty to the urgent need for a sustainable future – demand a united and decisive response. As a Member of the European Parliament, I am committed to building a stronger, more secure, and prosperous Europe that reflects the values we hold dear: democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. My vision is rooted in the belief that only through collective action and strategic foresight can we ensure a bright future for all European citizens.
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My Vision for Romania
Romania stands at a pivotal moment. We have the opportunity to solidify our position within the European Union, driving forward a transformative agenda that ensures prosperity, security, and a brighter future for all our citizens. As a Member of the European Parliament, and particularly as a member of the Regional Development Committee, I am committed to leveraging my experience and influence to shape a Romania that thrives within a strong and united Europe.
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Main Objectives
For Europe
Strengthen Strategic Autonomy and Enlargement
To build a more secure and influential Europe by enhancing its independent defense capabilities, fostering deeper cooperation within NATO, and accelerating the accession processes for Moldova and North Macedonia, thereby promoting stability and prosperity in the region.
Advance Cohesion and Sustainable Economic Transition
To ensure equitable regional development and a competitive, digitized, and environmentally sustainable European economy through robust cohesion policies, targeted investments in innovation and green technologies, and the effective implementation of the European Green Deal.
For Romania
Maximize EU Fund Utilization and Drive National Modernization
To strategically leverage EU funds, particularly through the MFF and PNRR, to modernize Romania's infrastructure, support rural development, enhance digital capabilities, and drive economic diversification, ensuring efficient absorption and impactful implementation.
Assert Romania's Voice and Protect National Interests within the EU
To actively participate in EU decision-making, advocating for Romania's strategic interests, safeguarding the rights of Romanian citizens working in Europe, and contributing to the development of robust EU policies that promote economic stability, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
About me
I am a liberal Romanian MEP, the leader of the USR (Union Save Romania party) delegation in the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Renew Europe Group and the ALDE Party. Previously, I served as Romania's deputy prime-minister, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies and President of the Romanian Parliament's Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA). During my two terms as a national MP, I was active in the Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Committees. Currently, I am a member of the Foreign Affairs, Regional Development and International Trade Committees in the European Parliament. I am also a member of the parliamentary delegations for the United States, the Republic of Moldova and Euronest.
07/2024 – present
European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament Uniunea Salvati Romania - USR
Vice-President of the Renew Europe Group
Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament
Member of the Delegation for relations with the United States
Member of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
Substitute Member of the Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament
Substitute Member of the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament
02/2026–present
Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee
05/2023–present
Vice-President of the ALDE Party
12/2016 – 07/2024
National Parliament
12/2020–07/2024
Member of the Romanian Parliament
02/2022–07/2024
Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament
12/2022–07/2024
President of the Delegation of the Romanian Parliament to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
02/2024–07/2024
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament
09/2023–07/2024
Member of the Committee on European Affairs
12/2016–12/2020
Member of the Romanian Parliament
12/2016–12/2020
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
12/2016–07/2024
Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
2016, 2021
National Government
12/2020–09/2021
Deputy Prime Minister in the Romanian Government (coordinator for the National Recovery and Resilience Programme and the following ministries: Ministry of Transport, Ministry of European Investments and Projects, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Economy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalisation)
05/2016–09/2016
State secretary, Ministry of European Funds, Bucharest. Offices held in an international political party organisation or an international trade union organisation
1996–2016
Professional career
05/2016–09/2016
State secretary, Ministry of European Funds, Bucharest
2007–05/2016
Managing partner/trainer and consultant, Dezvoltare DCG SRL consultancy group (www.structural-consulting.ro, www.fonduri-structurale.ro), Bucharest, European Consultants Organisation, Brussels, Belgium
2009–2012
Expert in team implementing the 'Quality Healthcare by Training Family Doctors' project financed by POSDRU, Medright Experts with the Dezvoltare DCG consultancy group as beneficiary and project partner
2005–2007
National coordinator for the information campaign on the 'FONDUL EUROPA - Information Programme of the European Commission Delegation in Romania', European Commission Delegation in Bucharest
2001–2007
Senior PHARE expert, European Commission Delegation in Bucharest
09/2006–05/2007
Expert evaluator, ECO Bucharest, BBI Bucharest
2004–2008
Technical and Financial Consultant/Trainer, Salvati Copiii România, Bucharest
2003–2007
Trainer and consultant, Romanian Training Institute (IRT), Bucharest
04/2003–02/2004
Legal assistance coordinator in the team establishing the Citizens' Anti-corruption Advisory Centre, Romania. Project funded by the German Government under the Stability Pact, Transparency International Romania, Bucharest
2001–present
Secretary-general/Trainer, Romanian Association of Law in a Development Context - IDLO Alumni
2000–2001
Legal adviser, Bertagna Gruia Dufaut Gruia - BGDG SRL, Bucharest
02/2000–07/2000
Course coordinator, IDLO - International Development Law Organisation, Rome, Italy
1996–1999
Coordinator for the Legal Assistance Programme INFOTIN – Information and Documentation Centre for Young People, Ministry of Youth and Sport, Bucharest
1994–2006, 2009, 2013
Education
1994–1998
University of Bucharest, Faculty of Law
2000
International Development Law Institute - Rome, Italy (Certificate in training for specialists in law in the context of sustainable development and course in Training of trainers)
2002–2003
Polytechnic University of Bucharest - CPRU - Master's in project management
2005–2006
National Institute of Administration - MAI; Institut für Europäische Politik and InWent Germany (Trainer, international certificates in structural funding)
10/2009–11/2009
Dezvoltare DCG consultancy group - Project manager
11/2009
Dezvoltare DCG consultancy group - Trainer of trainers
12/2013
Dezvoltare DCG consultancy group - Expert in the harnessing of EU structural and cohesion funding
2017–present
Political career
05/2023–present
Vice-President of the ALDE Party
10/2021–06/2024
Vice-President of Uniunea Salvați România (Save Romania Union party) (USR); Member of the national bureau of the USR
10/2017–09/2021
President of the USR
08/2020–09/2021
Co-President of the USR PLUS Alliance
1996–2001, 2018
Other activities
02/2018–08/2018
National coordinator of the Citizens' initiative 'Revision of the Constitution: No Convicted Criminals in Public Office'
1996–2001
National (interim) Vice-President/President of ELSA (European Law Students Association) Romania, Bucharest
Member of IDLO, Rome - International Organisation for Development Law
Member of the Bucharest Bar – Private law practice with 8 years of professional experience (not practising at present)
Founder member in Romania and Secretary-General since 2002 of the Romanian Association for Development Law (IDLO), an NGO specialising in legal training
Founder member of the Association for Beneficiaries of European Funding
Activity
Two days of european dialogue on the future of the EU, security, and snlargement in Ljubljana, Slovenia
I visited Ljubljana, Slovenia, alongside Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe, and my colleagues from the group’s leadership, to send a signal of unity by supporting the democratic, pro-European government and Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob ahead of the elections on March 22.
Meeting at the European Parliament on the status of Moldova’s EU accession
I discussed the current status of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process with Mihai Popșoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, whom I met again at the European Parliament. It is Europe’s duty, and ours as Romanians, to provide all necessary political support for Moldova's European path and to ensure that a solution for opening accession negotiations is reached as swiftly as possible.
The Trilateral Chamber of Commerce - A Necessary Step for the Future of Our Region
I had a very productive discussion in Brussels with Iurie Calestru, representative of the AMEERU secretariat, and Eduard Digore, member of the working group for the registration of CCTRUM, regarding the operationalization of the Trilateral Chamber of Commerce Romania–Ukraine–Republic of Moldova. CCTRUM will serve as an economic platform for cooperation between the three nations, contributing to Romania’s development, the Republic of Moldova’s European path, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. Beyond being a moral obligation - given the fight Ukrainians are waging for our collective safety and freedom - reconstruction also represents a major economic opportunity for companies across all three countries. I firmly support this trilateral partnership, initiated by the Institute for Project Development and Expertise from Moldova (IDEP Moldova), which I view as a vital opportunity for the growth and stability of our region.
ALDE Foreign Ministers’ meeting ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council
I chaired the meeting of foreign ministers from the ALDE Party - Liberals and Democrats for Europe family, preceding the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Alongside Foreign Ministers Oana Țoiu and Maxime Prévot, State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn, and my fellow MEP Yvan Verougstraete, we discussed key priorities for the future of Europe and several topics on the international agenda: supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia to achieve a just peace, developments in the Middle East, and the defense of human rights everywhere. We stand united for a secure Europe and for the respect of international law.
Conference: "Foreign interference in the elections in Romania, Moldova, and Poland: How can we better protect our democracy?"
I hosted, at the European Parliament, the conference titled "Foreign Interference in the Elections in Romania, Moldova, and Poland: How Can We Better Protect Our Democracy?", alongside my fellow MEPs Nicu Ștefănuță, Andi Cristea, and Daniel Buda. Together with journalists and experts from Romania and Moldova - representing CheckFirst, EU DisinfoLab, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and various European institutions - we held two panel discussions on foreign information manipulation and interference, as well as institutional policies and measures. The events surrounding the elections in Romania, Poland, and Moldova served as yet another wake-up call that social media platforms are NO longer just places for entertainment. These platforms are now efficient tools, true digital weapons, used to manipulate information and electoral processes. This constitutes a real threat to democracy. We need institutions that function and are led by people of integrity, we need reforms and courage. We must foster critical thinking in schools, universities, and within our own circles of friends to be better prepared to react. I would like to thank the experts who made this event possible and all those who participated.
Joint call for the opening of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova
We call on the European Council to open accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova for the first three chapters by the end of 2025. This is the core message of the Joint Declaration of the 16th Meeting of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee, adopted in Chișinău by the delegations of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the European Parliament, of which I was a member. Moldova is the frontrunner of the EU enlargement process thanks to the significant progress it has achieved. This decision is a natural step and will strengthen the overall credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy. Moldova must wait no longer. Its future lies within Europe.
Past Activities
Balance Sheet in Figures
Committees and delegations
Member
AFET
Foreign Affairs
D-US
Delegation for relations with the US
DEPA
Delegation for relations with the EU's Eastern Neighbourhood
Substitute member
REGI
Regional Development
INTA
International Trade Agreements
D-MD
Delegation for relations with Moldova
News
Elected Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee
I have been elected Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee. I thank my colleagues for their trust, but above all, I see this vote as a significant responsibility at a historic moment.
The “My Voice, My Choice” Citizens’ initiative: A step forward for women’s rights in the European Union
I voted for the right to safe and legal abortion across the European Union. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “My Voice, My Choice” has obtained a clear majority in the European Parliament. This is, in fact, a victory for the right of all women in the EU to have control over their own lives. The text adopted today calls on the Commission to establish a financial mechanism based on voluntary participation, open to all EU Member States and supported by European funds. This initiative would allow participating countries to provide access to safe abortions, in accordance with their domestic legislation. I would like to thank all the citizens who signed this initiative, and especially the “My Voice, My Choice” team for all their hard work and dedication.
The 2025 Sakharov Prize: A call for solidarity with journalists fighting for freedom
I had the privilege of meeting Jana Poczobut and Irma Dimitradze, who were at the European Parliament to accept the Sakharov Prize on behalf of the two laureates: Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia. The Sakharov Prize is the EU's highest tribute to human rights, awarded this year to these two journalists who are currently behind bars in their respective countries due to their journalistic work and their struggle for freedom of expression. Andrzej Poczobut is a journalist and activist for the Polish minority in Belarus, imprisoned since 2021 for his criticism of the Lukashenka regime. Mzia Amaglobeli is a Georgian journalist, sentenced in 2025 by the pro-Russian authoritarian regime in Georgia. Their messages resonated today in the European Parliament as a call for solidarity and support for those who dare to stand with dignity, fighting for freedom in all its forms.
Moldova moves forward: A new step in EU accession negotiations
I congratulate the Government in Chișinău, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov for another major step taken today toward Moldova’s European future: the progress of technical discussions with the European Commission and the Danish Presidency on three of the six clusters: Fundamentals, Internal Market, and External Relations. Moldova's future lies alongside Romania in the EU.
The European Parliament takes another step toward simplification and cutting red tape for European businesses through Omnibus IV
The Committee on International Trade (INTA) has voted on its Opinion regarding the Omnibus IV simplification package. As the Rapporteur for the Renew Europe group, I am pleased that we reached a compromise and that this Omnibus IV package, supported by the pro-European majority in the EP, brings significant benefits to the newly created category of companies: Small Mid-Cap companies (SMCs). According to the adopted proposal to amend the Trade Defence Instruments (TDI) Regulations [(EU) 2016/1036 and (EU) 2016/1037], this new category of SMCs will receive the same level of support as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations, including the creation of a dedicated helpdesk. These measures, along with the full digitalization of the complaint-filing process and the alignment of investigation periods with a company’s financial year, reduce the financial and administrative burden and bolster the fight against unfair trade practices. Now more than ever, the EU needs to cut red tape and simplify procedures to gain a competitive advantage. Simplification is the engine of the Single Market and the EU economy.
Republic of Moldova praised for progress in the EU accession process
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, presented the package of reports on EU candidate countries to the European Parliament. The Republic of Moldova was commended for its efforts in implementing the reforms necessary to open the first negotiation chapter. Furthermore, Moldova’s integration into the Single Market has progressed significantly, particularly in the areas of energy, security, and electronic payments. The Commission and the Parliament have called on the European Council to unblock the accession process and open the first negotiation chapter with the Republic of Moldova. Chișinău aims to conclude negotiations by 2028 and has demonstrated the capacity to sustain this momentum.