Nicusor Dan: I assured President Macron that we will continue to be reliable partners within the EU

President-elect Nicusor Dan assured French President Emmanuel Macron that Romania will continue to be a 'reliable partner' within the European Union."I thank President Emmanuel Macron for his congratulatory call last night - a night when all of Europe was watching the elections in Romania. I assured President Macron that we will continue to be reliable partners within the European Union and that in the coming days we will have substantial discussions regarding our shared future and the security of the European Union," Nicusor Dan said following his conversation with the President of the French Republic.Emmanuel Macron called Nicusor Dan and congratulated him on being elected President of Romania.'Despite numerous attempts at manipulation, the Romanian people chose democracy, the rule of law, and the European Union tonight,," Macron wrote on Sunday evening on X.'France will stand by your side to strengthen our partnership and work together for a stronger, more sovereign and more independent Europe,' Macron added.  The French Foreign Ministry took on Sunday to X to denounce a flare-up of unfounded accusations circulating on Telegram and Twitter regarding an alleged French interference with Romania's presidential election after founder of the Telegram messaging app Pavel Durov posted earlier in the day a message on this platform stating that a Western government, which he didn't name but implied to be France, had asked him to "silence" conservative voices in Romania.France categorically rejects these accusations and urges everyone to show responsibility and respect for democracy in Romania, the French Foreign Ministry wrote in its reaction.The first round of Romania's presidential election last December was legitimately annulled by the competent Romanian authorities, following hard-fact proof of digital and financial interference by actors linked to Russia, the French diplomacy claims, adding that additional investigations by the Romanian authorities and the European Commission subsequently confirmed the seriousness of these interferences, including with regard to the manipulation of the TikTok algorithm. The French Foreign Ministry stresses that the recent accusations against France are nothing but a diversionary maneuver in the face of real threats of interference targeting Romania.Telegram founder Pavel Durov wrote on Sunday on this platform that he had refused a request by a Western country to "silence" conservative voices in Romania, which is holding the second round of the presidential election on May 18.He went on to say that he categorically refused, as Telegram will not restrict the freedom of Romanian users or block their political channels."You can't defend democracy by destroying democracy. You cannot 'fight election interference' by interfering in elections. You either have freedom of speech and fair elections ? or you don't. And the Romanian people deserve both," he said, adding to his post an emoji of a baguette as a possible hint at France.   Friday, Macron had video call with Nicusor Dan to assure him that he would continue to support the solid partnership built with Romania on the economic front, as well as Romania’s European path.   Shortly before the call, the leader from the Elysee Palace issued a warning about foreign “meddling” in the upcoming elections in Europe – namely in Romania – which, the French president says, “undermines the integrity of our democracies”. “While my opponent was insulting the French people right at home, I had a dialogue with Mr. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France. The elections in Romania are extremely important for the future of the entire European Union and the President of France clearly pointed this out. I thank him for his availability and I hope for a strengthening of our relationship with France, considering the economic and security role it plays in Europe,” Nicusor Dan wrote on Facebook and published a video in which he has a short dialogue with the French President.   French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a message to Nicusor Dan that he is fully aware of what is at stake in this moment. “I am aware of what is at stake right now. It is a matter of importance not only for Romania but for all of us,” Macron said, as he congratulated Nicusor Dan for advancing to the second round of Romania’s presidential elections.   “I wanted, through this exchange, to tell you that over these years, we have built a close partnership with Romania—economically and along the European path. We have stood by your country on Schengen, on economic, security, and defense issues—sending our troops proudly to Romania just days after Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This is a brotherhood between our forces and our countries.” “That’s why I wanted us to have this conversation. Because what is at stake in these elections in Romania is clearly key not just to your country’s future—but to ours as well,” Macron emphasized.   Speaking in French, Nicusor Dan acknowledged the long-standing ties between France and Romania. “Today, Europe’s main concern is security. I am glad that there is a NATO Command in Romania, led by French troops. That is the first priority I will focus on if elected. Beyond that, there are strong economic, cultural, and academic ties. Hundreds of thousands of Romanians live in France. As you know, I myself spent a few years in Paris some time ago.” He added that the ties between Romania and France should be “broadened and strengthened.” (Photo:https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1228558408620571&set=a.353823452760742&locale=ro_RO)