Former Prime Minister of Romania, Viorica DĂNCILĂ, at FERM 2025: “Unity and cooperation are the key to sustainable development in the Moldova Region”

Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025 | The Moldova Regional Economic Forum brought together, over the course of four days, key actors from local and central public administration, the business environment, academia, NGOs, and international organizations to discuss the future of a region at a turning point.

At the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM), former Prime Minister of Romania and former Member of the European Parliament, Viorica Dăncilă, delivered a powerful and responsible message, emphasizing the need to reassess Romania’s economic and strategic direction, with a focus on supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening regional relations.

A Harsh Reality and a Call to Responsibility

Viorica Dăncilă stressed that her message was not political, but civic and deeply rooted in her governmental experience. In front of an audience of officials, ambassadors, local and regional leaders, economic experts, and entrepreneurs, she advocated for honesty and clarity in evaluating the current moment.

“I believe it is my duty, as a former prime minister and former head of the Romanian delegation in Brussels, to tell the truth. Because the truth must be the foundation of all things, if we truly want to build something sustainable for the future.”

She offered a compelling comparison between Romania’s macroeconomic situation during her term (2018–2019) and the present moment:

• In October 2019, Romania’s external public debt was €70 billion.
• In 2025, it exceeds €210 billion.
• The budget deficit increased from 2.8% to 9.3% of GDP over the same period.

“Romania has spent three times more in five years than in three decades. Where is this money? Has it been seen in the development of Romanian entrepreneurship? In strategic infrastructure? Or in a directionless budgetary binge?”

Economic Vision and Strategic Responsibility

In her address, the former prime minister drew attention to the lack of a coherent economic direction at the national level and called for the development of a clear strategy to support Romanian capital. Romanian entrepreneurs were described as a strategic driver of local and national economic progress, playing a key role in revitalizing the economy and reducing regional development disparities.

“An economy cannot be built through constraints, but through real incentives, opportunities, and easy access to European funds. Currently, absorption is below 10% under the 2021–2027 financial framework, while Poland exceeds 90% with just two pages of guidance. Meanwhile, we continue to stifle initiative with bureaucracy.”

She also mentioned several economic policies promoted during her term, aimed at encouraging competitiveness and long-term stability:

• The introduction of a taxation regime for multinational companies with artificially low declared profits.
• Provision of tax facilities for strategic sectors such as construction, IT, and the food industry.
• Promotion of a balanced energy mix focused on increasing independence from imports.

“I made decisions that perhaps did not bring me personal benefits, but were right for Romania. Today, we produce cheap energy during the day and import it at night at prices up to 30 times higher. Is this the direction we want?”

Moldova – An Essential Pillar of National Development

The former prime minister emphasized the integration of the Moldova Region into the national development strategy and the need for strong collaboration among all stakeholders to harness the region’s potential.

“We must strive to show character, to believe in what defines us as Romanians, to believe in the church, and to overcome all obstacles together.”

The former MEP underlined that major projects have only been accomplished when Romania was united and called for unity and the avoidance of division.

“Romania achieved and completed important projects when it was united. Let us not allow anyone to divide us and, together, let’s build a Moldova 2030 the way you envision it.”

At the same time, she stressed that the Moldova region has the necessary resources and potential to become a hub of economic and social development, provided it receives coherent support from the state.

Conclusions:

At the end of her speech, Viorica Dăncilă delivered a strong message about the importance of unity and cooperation for the future of the Moldova Region. She emphasized that the region can become a major engine of national development, provided it is supported through coherent policies, strategic investments, and a joint effort from all involved actors.

In order for Moldova to harness its potential, it is essential for local leaders, the business environment, and civil society to work together and build a shared vision, based on patience, perseverance, and belief in national values. Only through a united and dedicated effort can the region overcome current challenges and contribute significantly to Romania’s prosperity in the coming years.

The responsibility of each person, regardless of their position, is to act with professionalism and vision in order to transform Moldova into a sustainable, integrated, and competitive development hub at the European level.