Luminita Teodora Odobescu, Romania’s Permanent Representative to the EU, has made significant contributions to strengthening Romania’s role in the European Community. She served as a member of Romania’s Permanent Representation to the EU team during her country’s EU-accession negotiations and was awarded the “Order of Diplomatic Merit” for her contribution to Romania’s accession process. She served as Director General of the EU Department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2008 and 2012, and then she was appointed Secretary of State. She holds a PhD in International Economic Relations from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and has also completed prestigious internships in Brussels and at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. She discusses Romania’s relations with the EU.
European Times: What are the highlights of your diplomatic career so far?
Luminita Odobescu: There are many important moments in the life of a diplomat, from the moment of successfully finalising a negotiation to the effective management of a crisis. Some of these actions are visible in the public space, but many of them remain unknown to the general public, given that diplomacy requires discretion and trust. One of the highlights of my career was certainly Romania’s EU accession, a process in which I was directly involved. A more recent milestone was to become the leader of Romania’s Permanent Representation team in Brussels, especially at a time when the EU is facing many challenges in security, immigration, the economy and others. We wish to continue to support the advance (promotion) of Romanians within the European institutions.
European Times: What are your priorities as Permanent Representative?
Luminita Odobescu: The main priority is to promote Romania’s role in the EU and to help ensure that Romania takes advantage of its EU membership, including absorbing EU funds, modernising its policies and strategies, and reducing disparities between Romania and other member states. Equally, we are promoting Romania’s active participation in the EU decision-making process in various fields, at a time when making such decisions is not simple. We also want Romania to help strengthen European integration and EU institutions and to forge productive European partnerships. A priority for our team at the moment is to prepare for Romania’s EU presidency, which will be a milestone in our country’s history.
European Times: What can Romania offer European investors?
Luminita Odobescu: Romania offers many advantages for investors, from its strategic geographical location to its stability, economic growth, business-friendly environment, qualified labour force, integration into the EU and global markets, and cluster sectors – including automobile-parts manufacturing, aerospace and ICT – with enormous potential. Romania’s stellar economic results, increasing FDI and business reforms speak for themselves. Romania’s GDP grew by 3.5% in 2015, the second-highest growth rate in Europe, and will continue to grow this year. Sectors with particularly strong prospects for international investors in Romania today include ICT, energy and services. More and more European investors in these and other sectors are choosing Romania as a base for expanding throughout the EU and bringing their products and services to EU consumers. Of course the internal market is a project in continuous development and Romania will continue to seek to remove more and more obstacles in order to support our companies’ access to EU markets.
European Times: What are you doing to help combat Romania’s negative image?
Luminita Odobescu: Changing a country’s image is a complex process which takes time. An image changes progressively over the years and often has a subjective and psychological component. We need to make the world more aware that Romania is an important and active member of the EU and NATO, a provider of stability and security in a complex region, an economic driver for the EU, and a source of highly skilled professionals in many fields. These are pluses that we should cite more actively when promoting Romania’s image today. I believe that Romania has tried to transform the various challenges that it faces regarding its image into opportunities. A good example is the fight against corruption. Romania has achieved significant success with its anti-corruption measures and is now a recognised provider of expertise in this field. Europeans should be aware that Romanian citizens are strongly pro-European. We Romanian diplomats aim to represent our country internationally in a way which enhances its image. Changing Romania’s image for the better is a process in which we all need to be actively involved at all levels.
European Times: What can Romania learn from its EU partners and what can they learn from Romania?
Luminita Odobescu: Participating in the EU decision-making process and identifying common solutions to current challenges represents a long-term learning effort for Romania. As our country continues its modernisation and reforms, it has much to learn from strategic EU member states like France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK as well as other EU members. Romania is learning from other countries’ expertise, knowledge, and tools for advancing projects. Romania, in turn, has a lot to offer other EU members. We have excellent human resources, outstanding economic growth potential, and an important role to play in providing security on the EU’s border, not to mention undiscovered natural and cultural appeal and tourism potential.
European Times: What is your personal message to our international audience?
Luminita Odobescu: Because I am an optimistic person, I want to convey a message of confidence in the European project. We have to believe in the European project in our principles and values, as so many have done for so many decades, because I think we do not have other alternatives. If we look around us, if we see the challenges we all need to face, I do not think we can find sustainable solutions for the future unless we all work together. To Romanians, I would like to say that it is an honour for me to be in this position to represent my country and you, and that I believe Romania’s strength as an EU member comes from you. I promise that the Permanent Representation team in Brussels, with the support we receive from home, will clearly show that Romania is a responsible member of the European community.
