President Nicușor Dan makes press statements from Paris. G4Media broadcasts LIVE.
Answers to journalists’ questions:
Q: Is there a possibility of increasing French troops in Romania?
A: We had a very consistent military exercise in Transylvania, the multinational battalion from Cincu was raised to brigade level. This exercise was very useful to see some logistical-bureaucratic problems that we have to solve.
We have already had an increase in the military presence in Romania and obviously with all these exercises the interoperability between the European armed forces also increases. We can send the message that to deter at any time there is a strong European force defending Romania.
Q: Is Romania ready to shoot down the drones that violate the airspace?
A: You’ll see. I hope it doesn’t come again, but you’ll see. Because we have had peace for a long time, military preparations were made in a classic way.
We are in a process of adaptation, we are better than a month ago. You’ll see, I hope this war ends quickly, I hope we don’t have drones anymore, but if we do have drones, you’ll see we’re going to take them down.
Q: PSD threatens to leave the government and demands the resignation of the Ministry of the Environment, Diana Buzoianu.
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A: Among the expectations that people have from politicians is this type of statements calling for resignations, but we have to differentiate between political statements, discussions that make the press and political action.
In terms of political action, I see no reason why the coalition should not work or why a minister should go.
Q: The US national security strategy is harsh on Europe. Have you discussed this with President Macron?
A: When I said the European agenda, it also referred to the relationship with the USA. What does this strategy do in relation to Europe, it differentiates on two levels – one of security, and here I don’t think it’s a surprise. For a long time, President Trump has said that it is in the interest of the US to turn to the Pacific area and less to Europe.
Then, I don’t think it’s a surprise that for the current American administration the ideological issue is very important.
It is a statement in a political context. The question is what Europe is doing, and I think that Europe’s answer is a mobilization to ensure its security, and ideologically it is a debate that we have in every state.
More importantly I believe there are common interests for the transatlantic link to continue. There is no question that after economic and tariff adjustments, Europe and the US will remain in the same block of values.
Q: What is the portrait of the AUR voter?
A: I said that they are not all (pro-Russian, ed.), that most of them, their motivation is the way in which politics was done in Romania. These people say – anything is better than those who rule now. Finding only one electoral vehicle to turn to, they turn to a party that has anti-European and pro-Russian elements in its program. I am convinced that as this AUR approach to pro-Russian narratives becomes more concrete we will have some resettlement of public opinion.
Q: Have you discussed the defense industry with Mr. Macron?
A: Of course, including the US administration urging Europe to take care of its own security, this is happening. The SAFE program favors European industry. We want what we will purchase through SAFE to be produced in Europe, located as much as possible in Romania. It is possible that French companies will win contracts, but today we did not sign or agree on the contracts explicitly.
Q: What do you expect from the new mayor of the Capital? How do you see the statement that it is a defeat for you?
A: Yes, I think that in general, you, the media, and the Romanians invest a lot of energy during the elections, emotional moments, and less energy in ensuring that democracy is the fulfillment of the mandate given by the citizens.
A defeat for me would mean that I will no longer be accepted in Europe, or that we will not enter the OECD, or some local elections in Bucharest.
Bucharest’s problems are structural, for 25 years the town hall has not had adequate funding, the money has gone to work on sectors, fences, pansies, curbs.
I want the referendum to be put into practice so that the mayor has all the power that a vote gives him.
Q: Last night you spoke of a long process of reconciliation, between the citizens and the administration. You used the same arguments for Vexler’s law. The Coalition rejected your request in the Senate. Will you enact the law?
A: I have discussed this law enough, I would like to see this in the public space as a debate based on arguments, and not a match. I still think my arguments are pertinent. In whatever form the Chamber sends the document – hopefully amended – I will promulgate it because that’s what the Constitution says.
Q: Can the reconciliation be done without the publication of the report related to the annulment of the elections?
A: The Romanian state must explain in as much detail as possible the cancellation of the elections. Somewhere in 2-3 months we will do it. But that’s not the only reason why people don’t trust the authorities, we have to look at corruption, how officials interact with citizens.
Q: Will we have a Minister of Defense by the end of the year?
A: I’m going to talk to Mr. Fritz this very evening on the plane.
Q: Who did you vote for in the mayor’s office?
A: In whatever job you have, when you open your mouth you have to rely on what you say. That’s the only comment I can make.
Q: PSD claims that it will decide whether or not to remain in the coalition.
A: Beyond statements, let’s look at political action. Romania needs stability, investments, the trust of those who have already invested in government securities, this is the public interest. In relation to the public interest, the parties must refer to it when making their decision. In politics, you never choose with whom you do 50 plus 1%, but the interest is to have a stable coalition.
Q: Will you support a minority government?
A: I don’t want to get into this type of discussion. We are in the same context and I am very optimistic that we will remain in it.
Nicusor Dan:
Official visit to France, with several objectives, obviously the most important meeting with the French president.
Relations between Romania and France are not normal bilateral relations, we have a long history and a settled future.
We obviously talked about security, France is an important part of Romania’s security system. We discussed the Black Sea, an important objective of Romania.
I talked about the defense industry, in the context of SAFE. We already have French investments in the Romanian defense industry, such as IAR Ghimbav.
We are already at the third stage. We had a stage where we bought and did not ask for anything, after which we asked for part of the production to be in Romania, and now with the SAFE program we want the investments it brings to be transformed into permanent investments, which not only satisfy the orders of the army but even be companies that export and are viable even after Romania’s order is interrupted.
We talked about the economy, French investments in Romania. President Macron emphasized that the vast majority of French investments are long-term, and not speculative investments, as we have them.
We talked about Moldova, we found that our positions are aligned.
We talked about the other topics, we have a European Council with several topics, the multiannual budget, support for Ukraine, etc.
We shared the experience of hybrid warfare including the disinformation part and agreed that we can learn from each other.
President Macron confirmed a visit to Romania in 2026.
I met with the mayor of Paris. Paris City Hall named two imported places – Titulescu avenue and Martha Bibescu bd – I was at the unveiling of the plaque that will mark Titulescu alley, in one of the most interesting parks – if not the most interesting – of Paris.
There will be a business forum next year in Bucharest.
Last night we met with the Romanian community, we thanked them because they are a business card for Romania.
We had a first discussion about how we can do more things together.
I had several interactions with the French press, I tried to offer a realistic picture of Romania, I think I have become mature enough to stop saying one thing at home and another outside.
I tried to describe Romania as it is, with the challenges and opportunities it offers.
