Statements by PM Victor Ponta and his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk

 

PM Donald Tusk:
Distinguished Prime Minister,
Dear Victor,
It is our next meeting. Prime Minister Victor Ponta, as of the moment he came to power, as Prime Minister of Romania, became a very active politician at the level of the entire European Union. It is very important to us since relations between Romania and Poland are exemplary and in more areas, the cooperation between Warsaw and Bucharest are above standard.
Among others, the document signed by our Defence Ministers is an extraordinary example of military cooperation between Romania and Poland. During the document signing, I confirmed among others, whispering one to another that this cooperation between special services of the two countries is absolutely exceptional and, in the assessment of all our allies, at a very big level.
Certainly, what matters for both states in this day of crisis are the business figures, our experience in the commercial field. Romania went pretty hard through crisis. During the other meetings, PM Ponta told me about those budget cuts that took place and how much the Romanian citizens must bear to get out from the crisis. Nowadays, Romania is an example indeed, very good of how to manage during the crisis. Romania’s economic growth in the first trimester, of 2 percent can be praised in all European countries. It is a good example of how well you have to manage this economy so that you get such an economic growth in difficult times.
For some years, we are united by a strategic partnership, and we treat it very seriously. I spoke, in the presence of our Polish and Romanian Ministers. The Polish experience is very well assessed in Romania, regarding the European funds. We opened a platform of countries that will cooperate for this European budget. I declared to Prime Minister the support for the “n+3” system so that Romania does not register losses if we speak about the possibility of using the European means. Our expertise in this respect is very well assessed in Romania, and I am glad that Madam Minister Bienkowska will help our partners in the optimal distribution of European means, European funds.
We have common ideas about the climate and energy policy. What matters is the steady, identical idea regarding the shale gas.
Romania and Poland are interested in promoting the steps taken for the shale gas and in resources diversification. From here, I expressed again support for Nabucco concept. Prime Minister asked me about Polish opinion. It has not been changed. Along with Romania, it will support actions to effectively diversify energy sources for our country and for the whole EU.
I am glad, however, that we had an exchange of views on the situation in Europe, European Parliament elections, cooperation of both capitals, if we talk about those undertaken in the field of diplomacy, diplomatic relations with other countries in the EU and outside the EU. We are ready to cooperate to support each other in terms of initiatives. So, I wanted to thank you again for this visit and to emphasize these fantastic relations, which certainly will strengthen further, because we belong together to that category of politicians who get along, like and respect each other, which has a lot of significance in the present time. Thank you! Mr. Prime Minister, please take the floor.

PM Victor Ponta: I would also like to start by thanking Prime Minister Tusk, the two ministers, Minister of Defence and Minister of Regional Development of Poland, for the invitation and for the opportunity to discuss the issues on the agenda of both Governments. I have often and publicly expressed my admiration for the way in which Poland has promoted a model of economic, political development, of leadership, even regional, in recent years, and I have always expressed my admiration for the fact that the Prime Minister Tusk succeeded to prove that the new member states of the European Union, the former Communist countries may have an important contribution to the European project, can provide strong, credible and respected leaders in Europe, and can work together for a common future. I think that Poland is a model for Romania and is a privileged partner altogether. We have many issues that unite us and virtually no area where our interests to be opposed.
Starting from the military area, Poland and Romania defend NATO border. The two ministers discussed today, signed an agreement and will continue to cooperate in this area.
With respect to energy policies, it is essential for Romania, and Poland to coordinate themselves at European policy level. We did so naturally even in the European Council of 22, from Brussels. New sources of energy for Poland and Romania, for Europe is a strategic objective, means independence for our country, energy independence and energy security, essential for the further development of the two countries. We had the opportunity, due to this visit, to discuss directly, at the level of Prime Minister and especially at the field Ministers level, two areas where Romania has a lot to learn from Poland.
First, the absorption of EU funds, and I considered that the Polish positive expertise can be an example for Romania to follow. I want to thank, in particular, Prime Minister Tusk for support and cooperation with Romania in order to obtain an annual favorable budget of the European Union for cohesion and structural funds projects and also for that special provision for Romania and Slovakia, known as the "n +3" rule, the ability to extend by one year, the contracting for the years 2007-2013.

We talked especially about an important experience of Poland, one relating to administrative-territorial reorganization, positive experiences of Poland, and mistakes from which we may learn, so that regional development project that Romania has currently on the agenda to benefit from the experience of a country, Poland, with which we can compare ourselves in terms of tradition, population and economic potential.
I used this meeting to discuss about common European agenda here, Poland and Romania, Prime Minister Tusk and I have absolutely identical options about what to do at European level in the coming years.
And we have also talked about our neighbors, obviously, Moldova, Ukraine, mutual support that Poland and Romania provides at the Summit in Vilnius to the start of the association procedure of our two important neighbors. There are, again, many issues on which Poland and Romania have identical interests and objectives. I want that, further, based on the excellent political relation, the personal relation and the common interests of the two countries and the two Governments, Poland considers Romania indeed a strategic partner and friend and Poland and Romania play in the coming years a strong role in the region, in the European Union and practically in our continent where there is a great need of a strong voice from Poland, a strong voice from Romania and our ability to be together in all things pertaining to common interests.
I want to thank you again for the visit, to wish the Polish Government every success in meeting the challenge faced by all Governments in Europe, namely the need for economic growth and to find solutions to get jobs, especially for young people, a problem that affects the whole of Europe. And I very much think that concrete common economic projects exist- there are major companies in Poland that want to invest in Romania, there is a joint project on the development of the capital market - all this based on - again – the excellent personal and political relationship, we can develop them in the interests of both countries.
I want to thank you for the visit. I want to thank you for the positive experiences that I enjoyed and I hope that very soon, maybe even this year, I will again have the pleasure of having as guest in Bucharest, Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Thank you!