Dutch PM Rutte says Summit in Sibiu could be transforming

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte stated on Wednesday that the Summit in Sibiu of 2019 could have "a transforming nature," with an impact over the next five years of the European Union. 

"I believe that a series of the biggest problems which the European Union is confronted with will definitely be discussed in the first half of the next year and it will be very much up to Romania's leadership ability. We will have all kind of things to discuss, for instance in Salzburg. They will also play a very important role in Romania's Presidency and, for instance, the matter of the agreements that we can have with Africa, how to manage the issue of migration pressure over Europe, as a whole, but we focused especially on the fact that we will meet on 9 May in your hometown, in the context of an informal meeting of the Council, that could have a transforming nature, an impact over the next five years of the EU," Dutch Prime Minister told a joint conference with President Klaus Iohannis.

He brought to mind that the meeting will take pace a couple of weeks prior to the European elections. 

"Together we should build the agenda for the next five years and I believe that Romania and the Netherlands think very similar. There has to be a European Union of values, founded on a strong economy that, working closely together, creates security in an increasingly insecure world. The fact that this meeting takes place three weeks prior to the European elections is an extraordinary opportunity to further build this agenda," Rutte added.

He offered his support so that the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU be successful.

"It's for the first time when you are holding this rotating Presidency, I know how you prepare for this thing, I know what ambitions you have from this capacity, but Brexit, migration and the next five years of European agenda represent for you Mr President, under your leadership, the first half of the next year, an extraordinary opportunity. I assure you of my entire support, categorically, in the direction of these events. Conferences will take place in your hometown, in Sibiu, which is even more beautiful," Rutte stated.

The Dutch high official stressed that the bilateral relationships with Romania are very powerful. 

"We work together, collaborate at European level. We have a very powerful economic relation. Romania's companies are investing in the Netherlands and those of the Netherlands are investing in Romania. Thus, they can create a growth and, among others, jobs for the people who live in Romania and those who live in the Netherlands. We both collaborated within the European Council. I cherish our relationship and the manner in which we collaborated in this context," Rutte also mentioned.