Presidential hopeful, independent candidate Mircea Geoana, declared on Friday in Iasi that humanity „is going through a period of immense transformation of the world order and of the fate of free and democratic Europe”, this being „a complex and dangerous moment” for the destiny of Europe in the next half century, or maybe even sooner, as the former NATO Deputy Secretary General said in the speech delivered in the opening of the Trilateral Economic Forum for Business and Reconstruction in Ukraine „IASI – Strategic Regional Hub Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine”.

Geoana mentioned that, against the Ukraine and Republic of Moldova geopolitical backdrop, the map of Europe is being reconfigured, and the center of gravity is shifting towards the east.

„At the beginning of this appalling war of the Russian Federation on Ukraine, Chancellor Scholz had a common-sense observation: ‘The center of Europe is moving eastward’. This is exactly where we are. And for us, for Romania, for Romanian Moldova, for Moldova beyond the Prut, for our friends from Ukraine this is actually a transformation of the political, geopolitical and, I hope, geoeconomic map of Europe, following which Romanian Moldova will no longer be the terminus of Europe, but will be part of the political, and hopefully, also economic center of a Europe reconfigured after this war,” Mircea Geoana said.

Regarding the talks within the Trilateral Economic Forum for Business and Reconstruction in Ukraine taking place in Iasi, the former top NATO official said that they are a necessity.

„The cards are being dealt now, not only the geopolitical, but also the economic hand of cards. (…) The question we are asking ourselves at this conference is whether the city of Iasi will become a first-class economic center or will continue to find satisfaction in being just declared of an exceptional strategic relevance? It’s important, but it doesn’t fill your pockets. So today’s question is how do we give impetus to the private sector in Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Poland, to be able to participate in the reconstruction, not just to wait for European funds. The question is where are the Romanian, Bessarabian or Ukrainian business people when the cards of Ukraine’s reconstruction are being dealt,” Geoana went on to remark.

He also proposed that in 2026 Romania should host a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine after those held in Paris, Berlin and Rome.

Geoana also had a message for young politicians, advising them to play in a higher league and not wait for assistance from others to just trickle down. „Opportunities will come our way,” Mircea Geoana said.

Regarding the recent referendum in the Republic of Moldova, he stated that „it is an epochal, historic moment which will lead to a Republic of Moldova integrated with Europe.”

„The stake of the Republic of Moldova’s European integration is greater than the size or strategic relevance of this small country. The outline of this historical cycle for our continent depends on the way the West manages to help Ukraine win the war, and keep countries like the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkan states on the European track. (…) Romania has a gigantic role in this context, including in the coordination of the West so that the major western resources intended for the Republic of Moldova are used more efficiently, more strategically, with more favorable political consequences for the Republic of Moldova,” Mircea Geoana said in the conclusion of his speech.

AGERPRES