I am convinced that together we will succeed to safely complete a new big European adventure, namely the appearance, at the end of the current crisis, of a regenerated European Union, perfectly adapted to the challenges of today and tomorrow, remaining at the same time firmly anchored in its founding values and principles. I am convinced that we can count on the country of Mircea Eliade and of Constantin Brancusi, of Eugen Ionescu and of Emil Cioran. Yes, I am sure we can count on Romania and its citizens to succeed together this European rebirth. I wish to warmly thank President Basescu and the Romanian government for their driving role and strong commitment in favor of the European Union, Barroso said in the message addressed on the occasion of marking, in Bucharest, of five years since Romania's accession to the EU.

He stressed that, in the EU, the failure of one member to respect the values, principles and common interests can lead to a collective failure. Barroso called for solidarity in order to cope with the challenges the entire Europe is facing.

For Romania, the path to EU accession and accession itself proved equally very constructive. They were accompanied by extensive reforms that have helped to modernize the country and of which the Romanian citizens have benefited. But we must not be naive : none of our European successes can be considered definitive, especially in a rapidly changing, increasingly interconnected world. We must constantly strive to maintain and strengthen these successes, by adapting the Union to the new circumstances. Our success depends both on what can happen in Brussels, as well as on what each Member State can do to make Europe stronger and more united, Barroso also said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of European Affairs, in collaboration with the European Commission Representation to Romania, have organized on Thursday, in Bucharest, the conference "Romania in the EU. Five years after accession".

Attending the event dedicated to marking five years since Romania's EU accession, alongside Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu and Minister of European Affairs Leonard Orban, were President Traian Basescu, Prime Minister Emil Boc, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos. AGERPRES