Multicultural Business Institute, as a founding member of the Creative Industries Cluster, attended the conference organized by the Association for Social and Economic Research and Forecasting (ASPES) and Sustainable Romania entitled “10 years after Romania’s EU entry. Present and perspectives”. The event which opened the first initiative of the project in Cluj-Napoca was held in the Aula Magna of the Babeș-Bolyai University on November 24, 2016.
On the rostrum, the guests who took the position as speakers, led by Mr. Dr. Ec. Constantin Boștină, President of ASPES, were the following: Mihaela Luţaş, UBB vice-rector; Ovidiu Câmpean, Cluj-Napoca City Hall; Luminița Runcan, representative of Banca Transilvania; prof. dr. Vasile Pușcaș, negotiatior of Romania’s accession to the European Union; Augustin Feneșan, President of Employers and Craftsmen Association of Cluj and senior vice president at CNIPMMR; Bianca Muntean, CEO ARIES Transylvania (Romanian Association of Electronic Industry and Software – Transylvania branch) and David Ciceo, General Director of the International Airport “Avram Iancu” from Cluj-Napoca.
Discussions focused on: the impact of Romania’s accession to European Union on the economic and social environment, what advantages brought to Romania the EU membership; the extent to which Romania did the appropriate work to integrate in the European society, apart from the fact that it received the status of E.U. member on January the 1st, 2007.
At the meeting it was discussed discussed both positive effects in the economic sphere of trade and financial liberalization, visa liberalization, doubling GDP in these 10 years, all favorable aspects; It remains the problem that professor Pușcaș raised: a “growth has not led to development” with an eloquent example of Cluj-Napoca and the surrounding areas, who have not had the same rate of progress. In this context we can add both rich cities of Romania and the less developed areas, indicating that the balance between hem is not in equilibrium. Perhaps we can say that 10 years from now.
Mr. Pușcaș also believes that if the Union will change, then it will make it through an intensification of the integration process.
But until then Romania remains a country with economic potential, and in terms of surface, even if the data refute this, and even though GDP has doubled, still remains in last place in the European rankings and poverty, illiteracy and dropout school (Constantin Boștină), are reaching numbers that indicate a majority population educated in Romania. However the major problem with the entry of Romania into the Union remains the problem of integration.
Mr. Ovidiu Cîmpean, Director of Cluj-Napoca City Hall, stressed that Romania’s EU integration was beneficial therefore Cluj budget was increased 5-fold, indicating a quite generous funding for the city to prosper and provide facilities for its citizens.
Mr. Fenesan argued, among other things, that Romania’s accession to the European Union was the best thing it could do as it had a down economy, with poverty reaching its peak. It ensured its access to the European single market, even if the Romanian model does not cope with the new model. Romania still have difficulty in managing at the moment. It still has not sent the necessary documentation on how the money are to be absorbed and spent in the next financial period 2017-2024.
According to Ms. Runcan, representative of Transilvania Bank, Romania’s situation in Europe stands in the following way:
- the economic environment is improving;
- differences between Romania and developed countries are reducing;
- Eastern Europe stops being seen as a “powder keg of Europe”;
- integration issue remains standing
Mr. David Ciceo, Director of the “Avram Iancu” International Airport in Cluj-Napoca, spoke about the problems faced once Romania became EU Member State:
- environmental and legislation issues;
- the lack of European legislation regarding airports that led to blackmail from low-cost airlines;
- competition that the airline company in Cluj did not resist;
- lack of strategies in this area;
- poor transport master.
Romania’s EU integration has brought advantages and disadvantages alike, as was shown in the first edition of the event “10 years after Romania’s EU entry”.
Our Institute, at this event, had the opportunity to get informed about the “state of the nation” from some of the most specialized professionals: representatives of employers and professional associations, Chambers of Commerce, banking, local and central administration, academia and media. Equally, our Institute has established the first steps towards a future collaboration with Professor Vasile Pușcaș who agreed the educational and socio-economic profile of our activities, confirmed the need for professional multiculturalism in the current European context and showed interest in our platform of programs.