A new European Commission
he European Parliament has voted Ursula von der Leyen's Commission
Daniela Budu, 28.11.2019, 13:55
The new European
Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, was voted Wednesday in the European
Parliament and is set to start its activity on December 1. The Commission
grabbed most votes from the European People’s Party, the Party of European
Socialists and Renew Europe. Romania will be represented by Adina Valean, who
will be the new European Commissioner for Transport. Adina Valean told Radio
Romania she will seek to implement measures for a sustainable transport that
should ensure citizen safety, considering some 25,000 people die every year in
road traffic accidents across Europe.
The first thing
we will do is implement a smart transport system, which means monitoring all
roads. Secondly, there are issues pertaining to improving transport
infrastructure, because a road of very poor quality, without the proper signs,
can favor the incidence of such accidents. Then we are working on an industrial
policy, where people can afford a high-quality periodic inspection of their
cars. Finally, we want to exchange best practices in terms of driver
behaviors.
According to
Radio Romania’s Brussels correspondent, environment protection and climate
change, economic growth, inclusion, innovation and digitization, as well as
upholding democracy, European values, citizens’ rights and the rule of law are
the main priorities of the new European Commission president. Ursula von der
Leyen, the first woman to occupy this position, said the rule of law represents
the foundation of the European project, and that there can be no compromise in
this respect. President von der Leyen argued in favor of attracting states in
Balkans into the EU, and spoke of the importance of trans-Atlantic ties. Her
most ambitious project is the so-called European Green Deal, which she promised
would implement ever since she was elected president of the new European
Commission. The European Green Deal is a must for the health of our planet and
our people – and for our economy, von der Leyen said, adding Frans Timmermans
is the right person to make this happen. And I am delighted that he will be
supported by Kadri Simson, Adina Vălean and many others. The European Green
Deal is our new growth strategy. It will help us cut emissions while creating
jobs, she concluded. After Tuesday’s investiture vote, MEPs have greenlit the
EU budget for next year, which provides for additional support to protecting
climate, boosting investment in research and infrastructure and supporting
young people.
(Translated by V. Palcu)
