The Romanian PM has talks with EU officials
The PM of Romania has held talks with EU officials, intended to help strengthen high-level cooperation with the European institutions
Corina Cristea, 22.02.2018, 13:24
While on her first formal visit to Brussels since taking office as PM of Romania, the former MEP Viorica Dancila talked with EU officials about Romanias forthcoming presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019, about financial prospects, as well as the countrys Schengen accession. Romania clearly belongs in the Schengen area, the president of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker told a joint press conference with the Romanian PM, adding that at present there are no reasons for Romania not to be a member of this area. He also expressed his belief that the Government of Romania would make all efforts to ensure the functioning of the judicial system.
According to Jean Claude Juncker, the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Romania and Bulgaria should be over by the end of the current Commissions term in office. In turn, PM Viorica Dancila said the Mechanism should be ended even sooner, namely before Romania takes over the EU Council presidency:
“We hope that Romanias Schengen accession will take place during Mr. Junckers presidency. Romania meets all the criteria set by the Commission in this respect, and it also meets all the criteria for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism to be closed, because it is not normal for Romania to take over the Council presidency while under a penalty.”
Strengthening high-level cooperation with the EU institutions was the main goal of this visit, said PM Viorica Dancila, who also had meetings with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, and the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani. The latter called on the Romanian official to carry on the fight against corruption and efforts to strenghen the rule of law. Here is the Romanian PM once again:
“I believe good cooperation benefits both Europe, and Romania. I will address the European Parliament, and talk about the future of Europe, in which Romania must be actively involved, considering its capacity as future holder of the rotating presidency and given the challenges Europe is facing.”
The delays in EU funds absorption were also approached by the Prime Minister in her meeting with the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu. The EU official once again warned Bucharest officials that they must step up and simplify the procedures involved in spending European money. (translated by Ana Maria Popescu)
