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Interview with the Romanian Diaspora Minister

EUD NEWS Editor Andreas Mazza meets Natalia-Elena Intotero.

Interview with the Romanian Diaspora Minister

Natalia-Elena Intotero (Facebook).

Rome, Italy.Andreas Mazza, EUD NEWS.

A. Mazza: Mrs. Intotero, as Minister for the Romanian Diaspora/Minister for Romanians Abroad, you often visit your compatriots who have emigrated to other countries. What are the main needs and struggles experienced by immigrants?

In all the visits I have paid to the Romanian communities in the diaspora, but also in the meetings with the ambassadors of the countries where there are large communities of Romanians, I found that our compatriots are well integrated into the countries where they chose to work, learn, live, and their contribution to society is appreciated. Surely, there are problems, and many are specific to each community according to their age and their field of work. One of the main issues addressed within the Romanian community living abroad is linked to undocumented labor and invariably, abuse and human trafficking. Accepting to work under unlawful conditions, Romanians are at risk of being fooled by various intermediaries or employers, risking not to receive their salaries or being payed less than they have been originally told, no longer having money to return to the country, and becoming sure targets for abusers and traffickers. Information and prevention are essential to avoid such regrettable situations.

In this regard, the Ministry for Romanians Abroad (MRP) collaborates constantly with the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, alongside with which we launched a two series (May-June and August-September) national and international campaign called `Informed at home! Safe in the world!’ warning Romanians about the potential risks they could face when working or studying abroad.

I have personally gone to several countries encouraging local authorities to create a close and permanent line of communication with our citizens who are currently working, studying and living in other countries. This way, Romanians would know how things have changed at home, in terms of infrastructure, job opportunities, investments and other improvements, and would be more likely to consider the possibility of returning.

Another major issue underlined by most of the families I have met during my work visits in the Romanian communities outside is the fear that their children will not be able to adapt to the Romanian education system if they return. Many of them are already fluent in the language of the host country and accustomed with the educational system. This is why, we are in constant discussions with the Romanian Ministry of Education in order to smooth the transition for the Romanian children that return home and have not completed their studies. Another priority that the Ministry has identified for this term is related to the Romanian language. We recognize the importance of being able to learn in your mother tongue and, in this regard, our Ministry has funded the acquisition of approximately 10,000 Romanian handbooks for our children abroad. In this sense, we look to engage with them both educationally and culturally. Other difficulties that have been reported to me are linked to the situation of underprivileged children, cases of domestic abuse, the equivalence of professional experience or some tax obstacles. Even if the powers of the ministry and mine, as minister, have limitations imposed by the law, we try to help, support and provide assistance and at the same time report within the inter-ministerial council that the MRP leads, the problems of Romanians to the other institutions that can solve these issues through direct measures for specific matters in areas of great interest in the Romanian's daily life.

A. Mazza: Mrs. Intotero, the European Union is going through a highly conflicting and difficult period. How is Romania contributing and how could it continue to contribute to the establishment of harmony on our continent? What is its (your) vision for Europe?

Romania is a profoundly pro-European country, both at a political and social level. Within the past 12 years of membership in the European Union, Romania has undergone a period of modernization and socio-economic development, aiming to improve the quality of life of its citizens.

There are millions of Romanians who work, travel or study in the European Union and who are firmly attached to European values such as peace, democracy, solidarity and respect for other cultures.


Romania, along Finland and Croatia, will be at the heart of European decision-making, playing a key role in strengthening cooperation between the Member States of the European Union in the context of Romania’s preparations for the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2019 with the six-month mandate starting with January 1, 2019 which is a first for our country. Romania has gained enormous benefits from accessing European funds and will continue to do so.

The European funds attracted by Romania are a major source of investment, job creation, recovery of development gaps and rising quality of life for Romanians for the next period by contributing to the creation of new jobs, support for small and medium enterprises, and many other projects in various fields. My vision for Europe and our country implicitly, is set to be a highly democratic one, which has all the prerequisites to become a space for the active promotion of European values, a space oriented towards unity and democracy. Lately, we have witnessed a series of events that have divided us and fractured our country and EU, and that is why I urge the Romanians to keep their faith in the system and to keep in mind that no matter the changes, Romania is making efforts towards its growth and cohesion within the European Union in an environment where the key words should be solidarity, cohesion, equal opportunities and social justice.

A. Mazza: Mrs. Intotero, According to many experts, religious co-existence is among one of the most difficult challenges of our time. How is Romania dealing with this need and what are the principal solutions proposed to address this issue?

Religion is a matter of calling and a choice of the soul. In this regard, I want to underline that Romania is a multi-religious country, where according to our Constitution, (article 29, point 5) the religious cults have complete autonomy from the state. Moreover, in 2011 our National Institution of Statistics conducted a study that showed the following: 86,5% of the people that took part in the study declared themselves Orthodox, 4,6% Roman-Catholic, 3,2% Reformed, and 1,9% Pentecostals. People of other religion represent 1,8% while 0,2% declared themselves without any religion or atheists. These are just guidelines numbers, that are in need of updating, but they tell us a lot about Romania.

Fact, we are mainly Orthodox, but our people are genuinely tolerant and open towards all religions. The Romanian state is dedicated to aiding our Romanians everywhere, this is why at the Ministry for Romanians Abroad we have an entire line of non-refundable financing called „Spirituality and Tradition” designated to any Romanian association, organization, cult, outside our borders. Via this line of financing in 2018 up until the present, we have supported seven projects amounting to over 63.000 euros. We are focused on maintaining the spiritual and religious identity of the Romanians that reside beyond our borders. On a personal note, I strongly believe that religion is very important to each of us, it tells a lot about our history and traditions and we have an important role in teaching our children and future generations about the peace and faith that can be found in religion. Nonetheless, one of the most important religious and human values is tolerance, thus beyond governmental project and programs, we all must work at a personal level to better ourselves and to love our kin, our neighbors, our fellow men.

A. Mazza: Mrs. Intotero, You know the Adventist Church. How in your opinion can the Adventist Church contribute to the creation of a less conflicted and more supportive society both in Romania and Europe?

The Adventist Church or any other church should continue to offer their services to the community and help people have a better understanding of what it means to be truly devoted to a religion. In my view, due to the social media coverage, that at times focuses intensively on negative news, many people are quite reluctant when it comes to expressing their religious identity or when it comes to becoming part in mind and in soul of a religion. I also believe that we should invest more time and resources in promoting the positive things that come with our common efforts that we all make. A citizen that is informed is better equipped to make judgement calls and to decide where their path leads. It is my hope that religion will become yet again a bridge between people, one that connects them regardless of the confession they follow.

A. Mazza: Thank you, your Excellency, Minister Intotero.

Thank you, Mr. Mazza.