Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Romanian PM’s discussions with EU leaders in Brussels

Romania’s EU Presidency, CVM and accession to Schengen have been discussed on February 20-21 by Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă with leaders of the European Institutions.

Romanian PM’s discussions with EU leaders in Brussels

Articol de Florin Lepădatu, 22 Februarie 2018, 12:01

Preparation of Romania’s EU semestrial Presidency, Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) assessing progress on judicial reform and fight against corruption and Romania’s accession to Schengen Area have been discussed on February 20-21 by Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă with leaders of the European Institutions, on her first official visit in Brussels as a Head of Government.

According to the Romanian Government, the goal of this visit has been to ensure Brussels high officials on Romania’s commitment to the EU.

RRA Special Envoy in Brussels, Petruţa Obrejan:"European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker believes there are several issues to be discussed before Romania takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as he is convinced that the responsibility of this Presidency will be very high. He believes that the next EU Summit in Sibiu can also solve many of the issues that European leaders are currently concerned about”.

Jean-Claude Juncker: "Let us hope that, on this occasion, we will be able to finalize the debates on the financial resources, a very important dossier for our Romanian friends. So, we should be able to determine the most important lines of the financial perspective before June 2019, so that applied programs following adoption of the EU’s multiannual financial framework must be ready from 1 January 2020”.

Jean-Claude Juncker also spoke about two sensitive themes for Romania: the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and accession to Schengen. Jean-Claude Juncker: "I am convinced that the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania should be lifted, that is to be completed before the end of this Commission's mandate, as I have told my friend, and that clearly Romania's place is in the Schengen area. There is no reason to oust Romania from these civic ambitions related to the Schengen zone".

There are no real obstacles anymore for Romania not to be part of the Schengen area, Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă said. Viorica Dăncilă: "We hope that under the Chairmanship of Mr Juncker, we can talk about the entry of Romania into Schengen. As far as the European Commission is concerned, Romania fulfills all the conditions (for Schengen, n.a.) and also for the CVM to be lifted, because it is not normal for Romania to take over the Presidency under a sanction".

Referring to the rule of law and anti-corruption struggle, Jean-Claude Juncker said that he had a friendly discussion on this issue with Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă, expressing belief that the Bucharest authorities will take all the necessary steps for the good function of the Judiciary.

Romanian Prime Minister also discussed with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, who stressed the importance attached to the coming Romanian Presidency of the European Council, mainly for the adoption of EU’s multiannual financial framework. “We have discussed about the need to increase the European budget (…) Another issue was Brexit, the vote in EP will mean the end of this process, and cooperation with the Romanian Presidency will be very important in this regard”, Tajani said. „I have asked the Romanian Government to continue with conviction the reform process to reinforce the rule of law, the fight against corruption, transparency and competitiveness. From the Prime Minister, I received reassuring answers and willingness to a strong collaboration with the European Parliament and availability to come also in Plenary to illustrate the projects of Romania for the Future of Europe”, he added, according to European Parliament’s Press Point.

Prime Minister Dancilă also discussed with the European Commissioner for Regional Development, Corina Crețu, who expressed concern on the development of the projects regarding regional hospitals. “Unfortunately, the building of the three hospitals has huge delays,” EU Commissioner said, adding that considering the current situation, it is unlikely that the works start in 2019 and that such an ample project in Romania needs the attention of all those involved.

Commissioner Crețu also pointed to the delays within the Regional Operational Programme, as Romania risks losing European funds worth up to EUR 831 billion by the end of the year. “2018 is of crucial importance for the future Cohesion Policy. I have confidence Romania will speed up the implementation and will support the Commission’s proposal for a stronger and more modern Cohesion Policy”, Corina Crețu said.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei

Etichete : ue ce
17 banks participate in this year's edition of the New Home programme
News in English 28 Martie 2024, 18:57

17 banks participate in this year's edition of the New Home programme

Three more banks are participating in this year's edition of the New Home programme to support home purchases, bringing...

17 banks participate in this year's edition of the New Home programme
Final preparations before Romania's entry into the Schengen area with sea and air borders
News in English 28 Martie 2024, 18:55

Final preparations before Romania's entry into the Schengen area with sea and air borders

Final preparations are being made ahead of Sunday, the first day when there will be no border controls at the 17 airports and...

Final preparations before Romania's entry into the Schengen area with sea and air borders
The budget deficit reached, after the first two months of the year, almost 29 billion lei
News in English 28 Martie 2024, 18:53

The budget deficit reached, after the first two months of the year, almost 29 billion lei

After the first two months of the year, the budget deficit reached almost 29 billion lei, representing 1.67% of GDP. This is...

The budget deficit reached, after the first two months of the year, almost 29 billion lei
The draft law on the social assistance reform was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies
News in English 27 Martie 2024, 03:02

The draft law on the social assistance reform was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies

The draft law on the social assistance reform has been adopted decisionally by the Chamber of Deputies. The bill was drafted...

The draft law on the social assistance reform was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies
Ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the Romanian Police
News in English 26 Martie 2024, 01:19

Ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the Romanian Police

The Romanian police needs to invest in modernisation and logistics, but also to constantly adapt legislation to the evolution...

Ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the Romanian Police
National Institute of Administration opens new courses for public administration employees
News in English 26 Martie 2024, 01:17

National Institute of Administration opens new courses for public administration employees

The National Institute of Administration is coming this year with a new course for public administration employees. They deal...

National Institute of Administration opens new courses for public administration employees
The names of the joint candidates with which PSD and PNL will participate in the local elections on June 9 "will be decided on Monday"
News in English 24 Martie 2024, 21:33

The names of the joint candidates with which PSD and PNL will participate in the local elections on June 9 "will be decided on Monday"

The names of the joint candidates with which PSD and PNL will participate in the local elections on June 9 will be decided on...

The names of the joint candidates with which PSD and PNL will participate in the local elections on June 9 "will be decided on Monday"
"By the end of the year" Cluj will supply water to Salaj
News in English 24 Martie 2024, 21:32

"By the end of the year" Cluj will supply water to Salaj

Romania's longest water main is nearing completion. It will carry water from Cluj to Salaj. The pipeline is a...

"By the end of the year" Cluj will supply water to Salaj