Romanian PM highlights EU Presidency priorities at EESC

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă presented in Brussels priorities of the Romanian EU Council Presidency in the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

It is the first time that a country holding the six-month EU Council Presidency highlights priorities of its mandate within this EU consultative body.

Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă spoke about Romania's responsibility while holding the EU Presidency, stating that it is important to listen to the voice of the European citizens regarding the EU direction, which will be established at the upcoming Sibiu Summit.

Head of the Romanian government has highlighted Romania's EU Presidency priorities, focusing on common European values: cohesion, reducing gaps between regions. Special attention will be given to strengthening defense and security policy, as well as to migration. Romania EU Presidency will also target consolidation of internal market, promotion of cyber security and protection of citizens in the virtual space.

Success of EU Presidency depends on commitment of all political factors, Viorica Dăncilă declared, adding that Romania has proposed in this mandate to accelerate files that are of interest to the citizens.

One of these is the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), to support Cohesion policies, but also Common Agricultural Policy:

Viorica Dăncilă: The future Multiannual budget will need to provide the EU with the necessary resources to achieve the next seven years' objectives in a balance between growth and convergence policies such as Cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy and responding to new challenges such as migration, security or defense.

EESC representatives welcomed Romania's commitments and priorities. However, some have expressed their concerns about respect for the rule of law in Romania and the independence of the Judiciary.

Romanian Prime Minister assured that in Romania, the rule of law is respected, as well as human rights. Viorica Dăncilă stated that the government had no interference in justice and stressed that disinformation and false news affect the image of Romania.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei