Romanian Parliament Committees Endorse Minister Nominee Leonard Orban

The committees convened earlier Monday to hear Orban, who has been proposed for the position of minister for European Affairs by Prime Minister Emil Boc.

According to Orban, the creation of a Ministry for European Affairs is necessary considering the problems the country is facing due to the economic crisis and the situation regarding Romania's accession to the Schengen Area.

Orban said Romania's current EU fund absorption rate stands at 3.7%. He pointed out that the country must spend EUR1.9 billion in EU funds by the end of 2012 and EUR6.7 billion by the end of 2013.

"So far, Romania has spent EUR716 million in European funds," he highlighted.

Orban pledged to put forward a Code of conduct by the end of the year to avoid cases of incompatibility and conflict of interest regarding European fund absorption.

Last week, Boc sent the Parliament the proposition to set up the Ministry for European Affairs. The prime minister called on the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies to convene a joint meeting to hold a vote on the proposition to set up the new ministry and appoint Orban as minister.

The legislature should hold a vote on his appointment this Tuesday.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.