On 10 January, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker gave a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Bucharest. President Juncker noted that 12 years ago, on 1 January 2007, Romania joined the family of European nations, finally putting a definitive end to the Yalta post-war decree that split the European continent in two. Juncker was personally involved in Romania’s accession. When he was President of the European Council he signed, in April 2005 on behalf of the EU, the Accession Treaties of Romania. Juncker praised “the extraordinary performance” of the Romanians who have remained deeply attached to membership in the EU and to the defense of Europe’s common values. He reaffirmed that Romania has its natural place in the EU, as well as within the Schengen zone. President Juncker stressed that the EU must give its citizens the means to seize all the opportunities of a changing world, including the financial means, and noted that the Romanian Presidency will have a key role to play in outlining an agreement on the next multiannual financial framework.