Victor Negrescu
{{Short description|Romanian academic and politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Victor Negrescu
| image = 1649591689427 20200203 NEGRESCU Victor RO 009.jpg
| office =
| termlabel = Acting
| term_start =
| term_end =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| office2 = Minister for European Affairs
| term_start2 = 29 June 2017
| term_end2 = 10 November 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1985|8|17}}
| birth_place = Bucharest, Romania
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = PSD (2007–present)
| education =
| caption = Official portrait, 2024
| honorific_suffix = MEP
| alma_mater = National University of Political Studies and Public Administration
| predecessor2 = Ana Birchall
| successor2 = George Ciamba
| primeminister2 = Mihai Tudose
Mihai Fifor
Viorica Dăncilă
| office3 = Member of the European Parliament
for Romania
| term_start3 = 1 February 2020
| term_start4 = 1 July 2014
| term_end4 = 29 June 2017
| successor4 = Răzvan Popa
}}
Victor Negrescu (born 17 August 1985) is a Romanian politician of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). He is a Member of European Parliament and he was Minister Delegate for European Affairs in the government of Romania between 2017 and 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://engnews24h.com/mandates-are-being-redistributed-after-brexit/|title=Mandates are being redistributed after Brexit|last=engnews24h.com|access-date=February 5, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/romanias-ruling-party-announces-new-govt-half-ministers-come-previous-cabinet/|title=Romania’s ruling party announces new Govt., over half of ministers come from the previous cabinet|website=Romania Insider}}Carmen Paun (November 10, 2018), [https://www.politico.eu/article/romanias-eu-minister-victor-negrescu-resigns-council-of-eu-presidency/ Romania’s EU minister resigns] Politico Europe. Since 2007, he is the president and national coordinator of the Romanian network of PES activists.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pes.eu/en/news-events/news/detail/Together-we-will-knockthevote-for-victory|title=Together we will #knockthevote for victory|last=PES}}
Political career
= Member of the European Parliament (2014–2017; since 2020) =
Victor Negrescu was born in 1985 in Alba Iulia into the family of diplomat Ion Negrescu, who was Romania's consul in Brussels, which is why Victor completed his pre-university studies there.[https://recorder.ro/portret-de-candidat-victor-negrescu/ Portret de candidat: Victor Negrescu]
Between 2014 and 2017, Negrescu was a Member of the European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.votewatch.eu/en/term8-victor-negrescu-2.html|title=MEP Victor Negrescu (S&D, Romania)|website=VoteWatch EU}} As an MEP, he was a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. In the European Parliament he served as member of the Committee on Budgets and as substitute member of both the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on Legal Affairs. On the latter, he was the Parliament's rapporteur on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).James Panichi (February 26, 2015), [https://www.politico.eu/article/committees-push-for-a-public-prosecutor/ Committees push for a public prosecutor] European Voice.
In addition to his committee assignments, he was also a board member of EU40, the network of young Members of the European Parliament,{{Cite web|url=http://www.eu40.eu/bursting-with-pride-former-board-member-nominated-european-affairs-minister/|title=Bursting with pride! Former Board Member nominated European Affairs Minister|website=EU40.eu}} as well as the coordinator of S&D40, the network of the young S&D MEPs in the European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=http://pr.euractiv.com/pr/sd40-can-take-lead-progressive-thinking-and-planning-eu-s-future-128589|title=S&D40 can take the lead on progressive thinking and planning for EU’s future|website=Euractiv.com}}
During his three-year period as an MEP, Negrescu participated in 94% of the roll-call votes, with 96% of loyalty to his political group, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and 97% of loyalty to his national party in Romania, the Social Democratic Party. During this period he was also responsible for 16 reports and 9 opinions as shadow rapporteur, and was the author of amendments to 108 reports.{{cite web|title=Victor NEGRESCU|url=http://www.votewatch.eu/en/term8-victor-negrescu-2.html|website=VoteWatch Europe|access-date=15 December 2017}}
As a member of the European Parliament, Negrescu sought to promote the Romanian IT sector and IT entrepreneurs, as well as to contribute to the development of the European digital sector. In his view, internet can become a tool to combat social exclusion, promote equal opportunities and social justice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/articles/opinion/europes-digital-future-cannot-be-considered-trivial|title=Europe's digital future cannot be considered trivial|website=The Parliament Magazine}} In 2015, together with EU40, he hosted an exhibition called “Backstage with Europe’s Creators” in the European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital-skills/video/backstage-with-europe-s-creators/|title=Backstage with Europe’s creators|website=Euractiv}}
He initiated several EU-funded pilot projects{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/commission-launches-pilot-project-design-dedicated-digital-skills-training-programmes-small|title=Commission launches Pilot Project to design dedicated digital skills training programmes for small businesses|website=European Commission}} worth more than 8 million EUR for the Romanian research industry and for the development of the IT sector, as well as a pilot project which allocates 1 million EUR to enable access to health care in rural areas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eu40.eu/victor-negrescu/|title=Victor Negrescu, MEP EU40 Board|website=EU40}}
One of his main stated goals as an MEP was supporting youth in the EU, through initiatives to combat unemployment, ensure job creation, access to culture and European funds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.my-europe.org/articles/an-interview-with-mep-victor-negrescu/|title=An interview with MEP Victor Negrescu|website=My Europe}} His work was focused not only on students, but also on young entrepreneurs and researchers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cost.eu/media/newsroom/cost_info_sessions_Romania|title=COST Info Sessions in Romania|website=COST}}
Negrescu was one of the MEPs involved in the mobilization of European funds to support{{Cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20150324IPR37366/parliament-approves-eu-aid-for-redundant-workers-in-greece-and-ireland|title=Parliament approves EU aid for redundant workers in Greece and Ireland|website=European Parliament}} redundant European workers in several countries.{{Cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/de/press-room/20160614IPR32240/budgets-meps-back-EU1-8-million-aid-for-redundant-workers-in-belgium|title=Budgets MEPs back €1.8 million aid for redundant workers in Belgium|website=European Parliament}}
= Minister delegate for European Affairs, 2017–2018 =
In June 2017, Negrescu became the youngest member of the Tudose Cabinet, as a Minister delegate for European Affairs, stating that his ministerial mandate has two pillars: national consensus on European matters and ensuring democratic access to information about European matters.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nineoclock.ro/victor-negrescu-eu-affairs-ministry-running-full-throttle/|title=Victor Negrescu: EU Affairs Ministry running full throttle|website=Nine O'Clock}}
As a Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Negrescu coordinated the preparation{{Cite web|url=https://www.mae.ro/en/node/44543|title=Victor Negrescu: "Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will be a good opportunity to set up an elite body specialized in European affairs"|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}} of the 2019 Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/interview/victor-negrescu-the-romanian-presidency-will-build-consensus-around-the-citizens/|title=Victor Negrescu: The Romanian Presidency will build consensus around the citizens|website=Euractiv.com}} In his mandate, the training of over 1,500 civil servants who would work for the Presidency began,{{Cite web|url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2018/03/16/negrescu-under-romania-s-eu-council-presidency-250-meetings-will-be-held-in-the-country-1-400-in-brussels--74638|title=Negrescu: Under Romania's EU Council Presidency, 250 meetings will be held in the country, 1400 in Brussels|date=2 July 2018|website=Agerpres}} the official slogan and the first version of the 2019 Presidency's themes of interest were adopted{{Cite web|url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2018/06/05/romania-s-eu-council-presidency-to-pay-more-attention-to-energy-sector--121249|title=Romania's EU Council presidency to pay more attention to energy sector|date=2 July 2018|website=Agerpres}} and the dialogue with European officials, as well as with Finland and Croatia – the countries that together with Romania are part of the Presidency Trio – was strengthened.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nineoclock.ro/bucharest-hosts-meeting-of-trio-of-the-future-presidencies-of-the-eu-council-romania-finland-croatia-national-document-of-romanias-presidency-to-eu-council-to-be-greenlighted-at-latest-in-septembe/|title=Bucharest hosts meeting of trio of the future Presidencies of the EU Council, Romania-Finland-Croatia.|website=Nine O'Clock}}
In the context of Brexit, Negrescu was part of the team which defined the strategy of the Romanian Government in the Brexit process.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nineoclock.ro/minister-delegate-negrescu-romanian-citizens-living-in-uk-should-maintain-same-rights-after-brexit/|title=Minister-delegate Negrescu: Romanian citizens living in UK should maintain same rights after Brexit|website=Nine O'Clock}} He met with representatives of the Romanian community in the UK and held consultations with the European Union negotiating team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2018/02/07/victor-negrescu-eu-s-chief-negotiator-for-brexit-to-visit-romania-in-near-future--50536|title=Victor Negrescu: EU's chief negotiator for Brexit to visit Romania in the near future|website=Agerpres}}
During his mandate as Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Romania obtained the presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) for the period between 1 November 2018 and 1 November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mae.ro/en/node/44496|title=Victor Negrescu: "Romania will hold the presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region between November 2018 – November 2019"|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}
Negrescu supported the European integration of the Republic of Moldova and contributed to the intensification of the political and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mae.ro/en/node/45034|title=Meeting of the Minister Delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu with Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}} On June 25, 2018, Victor Negrescu chaired, along with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca, the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Commission Romania-Moldova for European Integration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2018/06/25/victor-negrescu-iurie-leanca-speak-about-events-in-republic-of-moldova--133873|title=Victor Negrescu, Iurie Leanca speak about events in Republic of Moldova|website=Agerpres}}
Negrescu resigned from his office on 10 November 2018,Carmen Paun (November 10, 2018), [https://www.politico.eu/article/romanias-eu-minister-victor-negrescu-resigns-council-of-eu-presidency/ Romania’s EU minister resigns] Politico Europe. stating that Romania was ready to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and adding: "I considered that in order to carry out my mandate I need to have all the means at disposal to perform best and fulfill this mission the way I had done by then, observing certain professional standards and requirements, and respecting everything that to me signifies common values and European customs and traditions".{{Cite web|url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2018/11/17/former-eu-affairs-minister-negrescu-romania-is-prepared-to-take-over-eu-council-presidency--212580|title=Former EU Affairs Minister Negrescu: Romania is prepared to take over EU Council Presidency}}
During the term of office, he created for the first time for Romania a trio format consisting of the ministers of European Affairs from France, Germany and Romania, with whom he had several working meetings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nineoclock.ro/2017/11/20/minister-delegate-negrescu-attends-first-trilateral-meeting-in-the-format-france-germany-romania-romania-wants-to-get-closer-to-the-hard-core-of-europe/|title=Minister-delegate Negrescu attends first trilateral meeting in the format France-Germany-Romania|website=Nine O`Clock}}
= Member of the European Parliament, 2020–present =
In February 2020, Negrescu took office as a member of the European Parliament, after the United Kingdom left the European Union. He became the 33rd MEP from the Romanian delegation to the European Parliament and the 11th member of the Romanian delegation from the S&D Group.{{Cite web|url=https://engnews24h.com/mandates-are-being-redistributed-after-brexit/|title=Mandates are being redistributed after Brexit|date=29 January 2020|website=Engnews24h|access-date=21 February 2020}}
Negrescu is a member of the Committee on Culture and Education and the Committee on Budgets. In 2021, he served as his parliamentary group’s lead negotiator on the budget of the European Union for 2022.Andreas Rogal (16 November 2021), [https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/eu-negotiators-agree-2022-budget-deal EU negotiators agree 2022 Budget deal] The Parliament Magazine.
In July 2024, Negrescu was elected vice-president of the European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240710IPR22814/parliament-s-new-bureau-elected|title=Parliament’s new Bureau elected|date=16 July 2024}}
Academic career
In 2009 Negrescu started teaching at the Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University in Bucharest. Since 2012 he is a lecturer at the National School of Political Science and Public Administration, where he has developed a Master's programme in English on Development, International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid,{{Cite web|url=http://dri.snspa.ro/en/dicha/|title=DICHA – Development, International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid|website=SNSPA}} as well as a research center – the Institute for International Cooperation and Development.{{Cite web|url=http://www.icid.ro/|title=(in Romanian) ICID – Institutul pentru Cooperare Internationala si Dezvoltare}} He was also Vice-Rector of SNSPA (2019), the main responsibility being the coordination of projects and activities aimed at developing the European profile of the university. In this respect, he was involved in the project of the European University of Social Sciences - CIVICA, a European university consortium which SNSPA is part of.{{Cite web|url=http://snspa.ro/en/civica-the-european-university-of-social-sciences-selected-by-the-european-commission/|title=CIVICA – The European University of Social Sciences selected by the European Commission|website=SNSPA}}
He holds an MBA in executive business and a PhD in development cooperation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.calltoeurope.eu/assets/87b4a412-de8e-442b-ab23-8cd865b57df4/2016%2006%2015%20call%20to%20europe-%20speakers%E2%80%99%20biographiesfinal.pdf|title=Call to Europe – Speakers' biographies|website=Call to Europe}}
Recognition
Negrescu won the "MEP of the Year" Award in the Digital Agenda category of the MEP Awards 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.antena3.ro/en/politics/meps-victor-negrescu-and-adina-valean-won-the-mep-of-the-year-award-287486.html|title=MEPs Victor Negrescu and Adina Valean, won the "MEP of the year" award|website=Antena 3}}
References
{{reflist|3}}
{{Current EP Romania}}{{EP Political Group S&D}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Negrescu, Victor}}
Category:People from Alba Iulia
Category:MEPs for Romania 2014–2019
Category:Social Democratic Party (Romania) MEPs
Category:Social Democratic Party (Romania) politicians
Category:MEPs for Romania 2019–2024
Category:National University of Political Studies and Public Administration alumni
Category:Academic staff of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration