President asks for "political moratorium"

As the conclusion of the agreement with the IMF draws near, President Traian Băsescu stated in Parliament that he finds himself in the position to reiterate his call for responsibility to political formations.

"I’m talking about the need for action consistent with the national interest in the following 30-45 days. I propose a political conflict moratorium in this period", Traian Băsescu stated.

The Romanian President mentioned the main objectives that are to be attained in the next 45 days.

These include unified salary law, pensions law and state budget law for 2011.

Traian Băsescu said that passing the unified salary law is mandatory in order not to exceed the 39 billion lei available for public sector salaries.

Traian Băsescu stated that the failure to close the agreement with the IMF would diminish Romania’s credibility.

"The failure to conclude the agreement would lead to a major fall in credibility on foreign markets, expensive loans and would bring about the risk of not being able to make the payments", the Romanian President stated.

Closing the agreement with the IMF will result in an increase in foreign investment appeal, Traian Băsescu said.

"Romania may be on its way to a successful conclusion of the agreement with the IMF. A rise in investment will generate more jobs", the Romanian President said as well.

"Romanians will appreciate those that take on the crisis, instead of running from anti-crisis measures", Romanian President Traian Băsescu concluded in Parliament.

The Romanian President gave his speech in Parliament, in front of senators and deputies forming the government majority, while the opposition refused to take part in the common session.

Translated by: Gabriela Lungu and Raluca Mizdrea
MA Students, MTTLC, Bucharest University