Dacian Cioloș Bets on Africa in Francophonie Leadership Race

Dacian Cioloș is strategically employing Romania's historical connections with African nations as a cornerstone of his campaign for the secretary-general of La Francophonie. He stated that Romania has maintained positive historical relationships with African countries post-independence, as well as with Asian members of the organization.

“

Romania has had good historical relations with African countries after they gained their independence and with Asian countries that are members of La Francophonie.

Cioloș aims to transform Romania's perceived neutrality and lack of historical disputes into an advantage for his candidacy. He believes this positioning allows him to mediate and bridge divergent interests among member states. "I am trying to leverage these advantages I have as a Romanian, belonging to a state that is perceived as non-confrontational, without historical disputes with other member states and which can bring interests, divergent visions to the table and mediate," Cioloș told TVR Info.

“

I am trying to leverage these advantages I have as a Romanian, belonging to a state that is perceived as non-confrontational, without historical disputes with other member states and which can bring interests, divergent visions to the table and mediate.

Beyond diplomatic strengths, Cioloș is promoting his extensive political and administrative background, including his tenure as Romania's prime minister and his role in the European Commission. He argues this experience has honed his mediation and negotiation skills, essential for an international organization tasked with preventing tensions between member states. "This has also developed my skills and abilities related to mediation and negotiation, which are very useful in an international organization," he added.

“

This has also developed my skills and abilities related to mediation and negotiation, which are very useful in an international organization.

Cioloș's vision for La Francophonie extends to a more robust economic dimension. He advocates for moving beyond a sole focus on language, culture, and education to deliver concrete benefits to citizens. "Economic Francophonie and, in fact, useful Francophonie, the French language bringing opportunities, is the main objective I have stated," he said. He specifically wants learning French to directly translate into employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, making the language a tool for economic advancement rather than just a cultural credential.

“

Economic Francophonie and, in fact, useful Francophonie, the French language bringing opportunities, is the main objective I have stated.