Past Event! Note: this event has already taken place.
Romania’s EU Accession: Key Takeaways for Future Enlargements
March 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
| Location: | 1201 Richcraft Hall |
Date: March 25th, 2025
Time: 3:00-4:30pm
Location: 1201 Richcraft Hall
Event Description:
The ongoing political turmoil across the Atlantic has ignited intense debates about the future of Central and Eastern Europe. Many countries in the region find themselves caught between Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the resurgence of far-right influence, particularly from the Trump administration. Romania, a steadfast supporter of EU and NATO commitments, faces similar challenges as it approaches a tense presidential election in May.
However, this moment presents an opportunity to reaffirm Romania’s traditionally pro-Western stance by showcasing the tangible benefits of EU integration, especially as the country reaches “the age of majority” within the European project. From economic growth to socio-cultural shifts, foreign policy refinement, and the reshaping of national identity, the EU’s impact on Romania has been profound. What makes Romania’s journey particularly noteworthy is its distinct cultural fabric, blending tradition and modernity, along with its winding path of reforms. While not necessarily a whizzkid in the EU’s Eastern bloc, Romania remains a success story still in the making.
About the Speaker:
Dr Adrian-Gabriel Corpădean is an Associate Professor (habil.) and Dean of the Faculty of European Studies at Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca – the largest and oldest university in Romania. He specialises in EU institutional reform and the EU integration of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, but he is also active in the areas of EU project management, communication (in collaboration with the European Commission) and curriculum development (Erasmus Mundus). He is the author of more than 80 international publications (WoS, SCOPUS, Erih Plus / Routledge, Peter Lang, Nomos, L’Harmattan, Cambridge Scholars, Nova Science, Brill etc) and has lectured at over 40 international conferences (e.g. Oxford, Nottingham, Paris-Sorbonne, LSE, Warsaw, Padua, Lisbon, Belgrade, Budapest, Barcelona, Berlin, Chișinău, Kyiv etc.). He has also conducted more than 30 teaching mobilities throughout the world and is a member of several networks and project teams that focus on EU integration/enlargement