Romanian PM’s discussions with EU leaders in Brussels

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