MEP Victor Negrescu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) said on Saturday that being 'pro-Western' means first and foremost being 'pro-European,' but also involves respecting strategic partnerships.

'In addition to being pro-European, a new concept has emerged in public debate, the concept of being pro-Western. And I have seen that there are many interpretations, often framed in a somewhat negative way. I will try to define it: being pro-Western means first and foremost being pro-European. But it means more than that. It means understanding that there are also principles within NATO that must be respected. It means that Romania has strategic partnerships. It means respecting those as well,' he said during the event organised by Party of European Socialists (PES) activists Romania on the occasion of Europe Day.

Negrescu added that being pro-Western also implies understanding that 'we live in a global dynamic' and that Romania cannot remain isolated.

Romania must be 'active,' modernise itself, build and respect certain principles, he further mentioned.

'It practically means that Romania must move forward, as it has done in recent years. So being pro-European equals being pro-Western. Being pro-Western means even more than that. And an example of what being 'pro-Western' means was provided by the recent vote in the Romanian Parliament, when the pro-European coalition supported the need to stand in solidarity with the United States when the United States requested Romania's support. In this context, we are not talking about two different dynamics, we are actually talking about a clear direction that Romania must adopt and, consequently, the future governing coalition must also integrate these components, with clear and precise objectives,' the MEP said.

He also highlighted PSD's efforts towards EU accession and attracting European funds, stressing that right-wing parties 'cannot claim a monopoly' over the European project.

Negrescu further pointed out that modernising the state must involve the active use of European funds and respect for European legislation, social dialogue and solidarity.

'Being pro-European means first and foremost respecting these principles and values. If we look at the European treaties, among the values listed there are several concepts that the left has supported over time. We are talking about solidarity, human dignity, tolerance and dialogue. These components are essential. Of course, these elements also imply modernising the state. But I have not seen the word austerity written there, in the European treaties. Austerity has nothing to do with Romania's European project or with the European project as a whole,' the Social Democrat said.

Victor Negrescu also said that over the past ten months the governing coalition, instead of focusing on Romania's modernisation, had been more concerned with 'minor issues.' AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Irinela Visan; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)