“Romania – How to build a brand of established donor country” was the challenge of the debate organized by the Romanian Center for European Policies (RCEP), at the Romanian American Foundation ( RAF ) in Bucharest, to which foreign policy experts, diplomats and representatives of the media have been invited.
On this occasion, a debate on the Comparative analysis of the Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary), Romania and Bulgaria with regards to their development assistancepolicy has been launched. Moreover, a draft law on development cooperation initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been advanced and detailed during the meeting.
“In order to increase Romania’s profile as an influential donor in the region, both funds, and the political will coupled with a better understanding of how bilateral and development assistance cooperation can bring major benefits and influence in the Romanian foreign policy. For both issues, the legal system needs to be upgraded, and the establishment and proper endowment of a Ro-Aid Agency would be a key step to increase Romania’s influence in the region”, said Cristian Ghinea, director of the Romanian Center for European Policies.
The event was part of the “Strengthening the capacity of the Visegrad states, Romania, and Bulgaria of offering development assistance in the Black Sea region”, funded by the German Marshall Fund, through the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation programme.