The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, today expressed doubts about Romania's ability to lead the presidency of the European Union (EU) from January 1, because it is doing so for the first time.
Although the country is "technically well prepared" to preside over the Union, Junker still believes that "the government in Bucharest has not fully understood what it means to preside over all EU countries", reported the German newspaper Welt (Die Welt).
"Prudent action requires a willingness to listen to others and to put one's own concerns aside. I have some doubts about that," Junker said.
The President of the European Commission added that he has reservations about the possibility of Romania, faced with great national political tensions, to be an example of "compact unity" in Europe for six months.
As of January 1, Romania takes over the presidency of the EU from Austria. It will be her first presidency since she became a member of the Union in 2007.
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