Good afternoon, distinguished colleagues! We have very many topics to solve today, on the daily agenda. I would like first of all to announce you publicly too, on the Executive meeting on the fact that, last week, following the discussions and decisions adopted within the European Council, there have been some important objectives for Romania, related to our capacity to adapt to the policies in the energy area, so that, on the one hand, to go ahead with investments in traditional energies, but also renewable energies, to succeed in building within the European policy, a development and price policy to ensure us that for Romanian industry and the population, the prices further on, ensure competitiveness for industry and to be covered by citizens. There have been published all the comparative data with the EU countries. With respect to gas, we are, I think, the country with the cheapest gas for population, and we rank third in the same respect, price, at electricity. There, we have further on very low prices compared to EU level. It is nevertheless very clear that compared to the United States of America, and other world regions, in Europe, the electricity prices surged.
It is clear that we should have other policy. In this respect, we will discuss today in first lecture, the draft ordinance on setting the system to promote the energy from renewable sources, so that the subsidies, green certificates to be further granted, but in a sustainable way, and which to lift the burden as possible, from both industrial producers and population.
Alike, Madam Plumb, with observance of all environment norms, but we should go further on the correct path, followed by the United States, European countries, that of exploring new energy sources, with the observance of all environment norms, correct information of population, without being influenced nevertheless, irrespective of campaigns and where these are carried, it is about Romania’s energy security, it is about our interest on average and long term, whether or not we want to depend on gas import from Russia, where to take this gas if we want to become producers and export it. It is very simple; it cannot be simpler than that.
I will communicate to the press too a situation presented within the European Council by President Barroso, to see how in the US and elsewhere, prices go down and in Europe, go up, then, we should not wonder why factories are no more built in Europe and we do not have jobs, we have to further fight for the strategic interests of this country.
We have on today’s daily agenda, a much required legislative amendment that many of you with high performance in the absorption of European funds, the overcontraction is allowed, I speak about the Regional Operational Programme, the Environment Programme and further on congratulations and money from European Commission is welcome. We await in June, with hope, the last two programmes and there is also, Minister of Agriculture, the Fishing Programme, isn’t it? It is smaller but even it, it is pre-suspended for some time…It is highly likely to see a PDL Minister to lecture you and tell you that we are guilty.
The fact that all these programmes were pre-suspended after November 2011 might inspire more decency to those who criticize us. We managed with the Environment, with POR, with SOP -HRD, I hope we have good results at Transports and Increase in Economic Competitiveness. What we have to do further on, to make flexible rules, increase the control, we do it and it is very important.
We have today an emergency ordinance, it was not on daily agenda, inspired from a model implemented in Poland, and one agreed obviously by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund, on wages in companies owned entirely by state or with state majority capital. I saw state companies where we can nominate private managers. The smallest revenue per year at Nuclearelectrica is 484.000 RON per year, therefore, over 100.000 EUR. I discussed about this problem. It is valid…The Finance Minister told that we should not all work for state companies, but I see here wages of 11.000 EUR, 8.000 EUR, the poorest with 6.000 EUR. Through this regulation, applied in Poland and accepted at European level, we will limit the possibility of Executive salaries to a sum equivalent with six times the average of the gross monthly wage in the respective branch. Therefore, it is a comparison to the wage earned in that branch, be it energy or other areas. Six times the average wage, I assure you that it is a very good wage. The average in general, around 1.000 EUR, yes? It depends on the branch. Obviously, anything paid more is paid according to the fulfillment of performance indicators and this is very important. I kindly request you Minister Nica as we have on today’s agenda some measures to back the restructuring of the Romanian Post, you and the director of the Romanian Post will further present all the things found there, contracts and losses noticed, since otherwise only the information on the manager wage remains. If you do not present clearly how 6.000 people were employed, how there were 200 million losses that nobody knew about, they will not understand why investors are reluctant to come.
It is very important for us to take some decisions whereby to support the activity of the Romanian Post but I would like you to explain how they got there. If we do not explain, we will be lectured by those who brought the Post to bankruptcy. They are to do so, and tell us on TV how we should further act.
In education you started the first baccalaureate for Olympics. People do not understand it's about Olympics medalists. Actually, who are the ones who take the exam?
Remus Pricopie: There are three categories. There are Olympics at different disciplines, mathematics and so on, international Olympiads. There are athletes who have competitions. And there are a few students who must present baccalaureate degree for entry to university abroad. Last year, we had 900 of these Olympics, we know the problems of last year, this year 259 enrolled, 209 took the exams, two were removed from the exam on the first day, one in the second. There remained 206 today. Today was the last test, tomorrow is a sample only for four students belonging to national minorities of mother tongue.
Victor Ponta: The exam you will organize will be in the end, as the preparatory class, a good organization before helps us overcome many problems. Two special things I want us to talk today with Madam Minister and Minister of Finance, to see how it is with second hand car registrations. I do not know exactly where it stuck, I want us to take a decision today for things to be carried out normally /…/.

Victor Ponta: Without consistency, each one comes with a clever idea and how many health problems we have, only funny ideas we need. I want to ask you personally, because it is an old problem, to come next week with a decision on the Heart Institute of Targu Mures. I know there are problems and personal pride, and different views among physicians; I'm interested to be able to help people who otherwise lose their lives. I know that between teachers and between doctors, there is very difficult to find consensus, but next week I want you to take a position, to come and to propose and to clarify the situation.
Remus Pricopie: Yes, Prime Minister. It will happen so.
Victor Ponta: Ok. Thank you. Thanks to those of the press. Finally, I will communicate you all decisions made.