Romanian Pres Takes Shot At PM On National Day

Asked how he sees the National Day in 2008, Basescu replied: "Better than December 1, 2007."

 

Basescu mentioned his hope that 2008 will see the beginning of works on highways, within large infrastructure projects for which important funds are allocated. In 2008, Romania should have fixed strategies for agriculture, health and education and, also, that this would be the second year in a row with economic growth, with a level above 6%, so that our country remains on one of the top spots in Europe from this perspective.

 

"And I would be very glad to say that the Victoria Palace (the office of the Prime Minister t.n.) holds a competent Prime Minister, with whom I could collaborate," the head of state added.

 

According to him, the year 2007 was not valued accordingly in the interest of Romanians, and 2008 should be a year when Romania sets long-term strategies.

 

He mentioned that the Parliament amended the Criminal Procedure Code "to the gain of criminals" and that the Government issued an Ordinance protecting its own ministers "alleged criminals" in the face of justice.

 

Basescu also addressed the issue of the National Pact on Education.

 

"We have had a year in which disputes led us away from concluding a National Pact on Education. These are our failures, but this needs to be the year in which, and I say this when there are 30 days to go before the end of the year, in which we need to be aware that without the reform of the political class we are almost dooming our positive evolution," Basescu said.