President Nicușor Dan spoke with the German press about the fight against corruption, the relationship with Donald Trump, last year’s canceled elections, investments at the Mihail Kogălniceanu military base, as well as about the union of Romania with the Republic of Moldova.
In an interview for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Nicușor Dan talked about his intention to nominate individuals who do not come from intelligence services or politics to lead the internal and external intelligence services.
When asked about a possible involvement of the services in the canceled elections of 2024, the president replied: "They did not get involved enough!", according to Libertatea.
Regarding the relationship with American President Donald Trump, Nicușor Dan stated that the American statements regarding the canceled presidential elections from last November did not represent the official position of the White House, but the opinion of individual persons.
"Subsequently, some populist candidates in Romania claimed to have the support of the American government, but this was not true. They traveled to the USA, where they had lobbying firms, and managed to give a few interviews for podcasts. But that was all. We have a strategic partnership and good military cooperation with the USA. It is important for this to remain so," stated Nicușor Dan.
Regarding the NATO base under construction near Constanța, the president stated that investments are continuing according to plan. It will be able to host troops from the USA and other allied countries.
"At the last meeting in The Hague, NATO countries decided to increase their defense spending. I believe this makes the American withdrawal from NATO less likely. Our investments in the Mihail Kogălniceanu base will continue according to plan, so that it can host troops from the USA and other allies and partners," emphasized the head of state, quoted by G4Media.
Union with the Republic of Moldova
When asked if Romania will also invest in the infrastructure in Moldova, which is strongly affected by Russian threats, Nicușor Dan said that about one million people there also hold Romanian citizenship, and we will support them on several levels.
He stressed that he desires the union with the Republic of Moldova, but fully respects the will of the people in the neighboring republic.
"In the Republic of Moldova, about 35% of the population supports the union. As long as a significant part of the citizens of our neighboring country supports the current form of state, Romania will not take any action. Personally, I want a union with Moldova, but fully respect the will of the people in the neighboring republic," said Dan, quoted by Antena 3.
President Nicușor Dan left on Friday for an official visit to Berlin, at the invitation of his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The official delegation includes USR ministers from the Government, such as Oana Țoiu (Foreign Affairs), Ionuț Moșteanu (Defense), Radu Miruță (Economy), as well as Deputy Prime Minister Dragoș Anastasiu, and local leaders, such as the mayor of Timișoara and USR president, Dominic Fritz.