Prima pagină » English » Romanian Transport Min Says Pres Is Misinformed

Romanian Transport Min Says Pres Is Misinformed

Romanian transport minister Ludovic Orban told MEDIAFAX that president Traian Basescu is misinformed regarding the construction of motorways and he should “check his own backyard,” because his “crewmen” are incompetent.
Romanian Transport Min Says Pres Is Misinformed
02 sept. 2008, 18:36, English

 

"Mister Basescu should check his backyard because his crewmen are incompetent. Before me, the Ministry was run by the likes of Dobre and Berceanu (both democrat liberals). He is misinformed. He probably lacks good sources within the Ministry of Transport. If he listens to Dobre and Udrea, it is normal that he is clueless regarding the things happening in the Ministry," Orban said.

Romanian president Traian Basescu said in the meeting with Romanian diplomats that, even though Romania acceded to the EU on January 1, 2007, it has failed to spend the European funds for the construction of motorways, because of incompetence.

The head of state added that Bucharest authorities failed to “pull” any of the EUR5.5 billion in European funds destined for the upgrade of Romania’s infrastructure.

"We still do not have any complete feasibility study, we do not have any task-book ready to be sold," Basescu said.

In retort, Orban said the Ministry of Transport filed financing requests with the Europan Union, for four segments on the motorway within Paneuropean transport Corridor IV de transport, namely Timisoara-Lugoj, Arad-Timisoara, Cernavoda-Constanta and the motorway profile ring road around Constanta.

"It is true that funds have yet to be brought from the EU, but this is because the feasibility studies were not complete when I came. The studies were performed during my mandate," Orban said.

He added the studies are about to be completed.