Made-Up Bonuses May Cause Romania To Take Out New Loan In 2010 – President

The president made this statement in the meeting presenting the Defense Ministry’s activity report.

Basescu said Romania’s situation cannot be blamed exclusively on the economic crisis. He explained that, for a few years, Romanians believed they can consume more than they produce, „without asking where the financing should come from.” This, the president said, means the state needs to „borrow money in order to provide salaries and pensions, keep the health system running and so on.”

Basescu said he supports the Government’s efforts to optimize state expenditure, because taking another loan would jeopardize Romania’s development.

The president said the military should be one of the first structures to understand that „you cannot live on borrowed money.” Basescu pledged that he will cooperate with the Government, Parliament and Defense Minister to find „reasonable” solutions to the military’s equipment and social security issues.