Name: European Movement Dinner & Speaker
Start: 2026-04-08T18:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-08T22:00:00+01:00
Location: Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne

The Eastbourne European Movement meets each month at the Hydro Hotel for a two course meal and a talk from an expert with a unique perspective of the Continent.
Join us in April with Her Excellency, the Ambassador of Romania, Laura Popescu.
Ambassador Popescu’s priorities focus on “the new Strategic Partnership between Romania and the UK. The UK has left the EU, which we regret. Although this has changed the paradigm of the Romanian-British relationship, it nevertheless provides an opportunity to adapt our cooperation under these new circumstances.”
A further focus of Her Excellency’s mandate is the Romanian community living in the UK and the British perception of them. “Almost 950,000 Romanian citizens have applied to continue to work, study and live in the UK under the post-Brexit EU Settlement Scheme. Safeguarding and guaranteeing their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement is of paramount importance for Romania.”
Ambassador Popescu highlights that “the Romanian community in the UK, one of the biggest in the world, plays a major role in the British economy and way of life, and is a huge asset for bilateral relations. During the pandemic, for instance, many thousands of Romanian doctors and nurses were on the frontline. Romanian carers play a major role in looking after the elderly across the UK.” She was also delighted to hear that three Romanians were elected as UK local councillors in May 2023.
So too, the Ambassador considers “a wide range of further cooperation, such as NATO and the security of its Eastern flank including the Black Sea, defence of human rights and democracy, and, of course, enhancing bilateral trade and investments.”
As NATO and EU members, Ambassador Popescu notes that Romania’s next big challenge is to adjust its role on the international stage “to encompass new partnerships with key allies, including the UK. We are keen to pursue multilateral diplomacy within the UN and other bodies, to best respond to various global challenges. Romania is the second largest country in Central and Eastern Europe with vibrant new policies and initiatives, from tackling climate change to new IT hubs, so we have plenty to share.”