Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council

Good evening. Allow me first of all to thank Prime Minister Ponta for his hospitality. Our meeting today was a good opportunity to discuss a number of current affairs since we last met in Brussels, last February. Having met both the President and the Prime Minister of Romania today, I can start by saying that I feel encouraged by the recent improvements in the cooperation between the political forces in Romania. I am convinced that this constructive attitude will be to the benefit of all citizens. In difficult times, it is wise to meet challenges together, just like we do at the European level.
Prime Minister Ponta updated me on the constitutional reform in the country, an important endeavor, especially in the light of the specific recommendations that the European Commission issued in July, last year.
I encouraged him to continue the reform process, in full respect of fundamental values such as: respect of the rule of law and separation of powers and ensuring the widest possible consensus in the society.
We addressed important economic topics. In times of economic crisis, we need to act in the short term to improve our long term perspectives. In this context, we further talked about further improving Romania’s absorption capacity in order to make better use of the existing EU funds. This could help give an extra boost to the Romanian economy, more economic growth and make a difference for many people.
We also discussed the necessity to move gradually but relentlessly towards a genuine economic and monetary union. Most importantly, a rapid progress should be made towards a banking union that would help restore normal lending conditions to our economy. This is indispensable to strengthen growth and unemployment on a lasting basis.
Romania like all the other non – euro member countries are welcome to participate in the single supervisory mechanism of banks.
The banking union will not only set out clear rules for future handling of crisis but will also lead to a more stable financial sector.
In terms of Romania’s aspirations to adopt the euro, we share the view that it is important for Romania to stay as close as possible to the euro area’s developments in order to ensure a good preparation for it. There is progress on the convergence criteria, and now, I encouraged the Prime Minister to continue these efforts, for meeting all the necessary conditions for your euro joining later on.
And finally, we also discussed the Union’s Eastern Neighborhood. The Eastern Partnership Summit will take place later this year, in Lithuania. It will be an important moment in particularly related to those of our Eastern partners whom we hope to be able to finalize their negotiations on the Association Agreement. In this context, I particularly recommend Romania’ support to the efforts and aspirations of the Republic of Moldova, and to finding a viable, negotiating solution to the Transnistrean conflict.
At the end of my short visit to Bucharest, let me say once again that there has been a pleasure to be back here, in Romania, in a new spirit of cooperation, between the main political actors. It is good for the citizens; it is good for the country. Again, I was very happy to be here, in that new climate, thank you Mr. Prime Minister.

PM Victor Ponta
I would like to thank Mr. President Van Rompuy for his visit to Bucharest, especially since I know the very full agenda he has in this period. His presence here is a sign of the importance that President Van Rompuy attaches to all member countries, including Romania.

I am glad that political and economic situation in Romania is now stable and predictable and I appreciated the important role that President van Rompuy, President Barroso and President Schulz have played in finding political solutions to this stability that Romania needed. The beneficial effects of this stable and predictable situation are seen in the economic and in the investment areas. Romania has fulfilled its commitments of budget discipline taken before the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund, but equally important, it starts to show a growth that is absolutely necessary, as well as job creation. And I think that will be the real challenge for the European Union: budgetary discipline with economic growth and jobs.
It is an important improvement in terms of unlocking European programs funded from Cohesion Funds, but further improvements and much better procedures must still be found. And also, we need to better prepare Romania for the period 2014-2020.
I wish to refer only to President Van Rompuy’s excellent idea to organize European sectoral councils on key issues. Energy will be on the agenda of the future European Council in May, and to Romania, energy, along agriculture remains the main engine of development.
Within this Council, Romania will have a very well structured stand on energy resource development and the role that this region may play in the development of Europe. European cooperation in energy will help achieve better results in terms of competitiveness of the Romanian and the EU economy.
This year and in the coming years, the Romanian Government will focus on the fundamental elements of economic development and a coordinated policy at European level will be very, very useful.
I want to thank President Van Rompuy again for his visit today in Bucharest. If I may finish with a joke, last time President Van Rompuy was in Bucharest, in a few days, the Government was dismissed by a vote of no confidence and I assured him that the following week, being holiday, I will not go to Parliament. So, the next time too when he comes to Bucharest, he will find stability and this is important.
Thank you very much!