Romanian President Upholds Simpler Access To Funds In European Council Meeting

In a press release issued Thursday evening, the Presidency said the issue of the future European strategy on workforce growth and occupation (called EU 2020) was also raised, as well as EU action to fight global warming, and aid for Haiti, which was recently struck by a powerful earthquake.

The Romanian head of state stressed the fact that EU 2020 must take into account the differences between member states as regards economic and social development. Basescu said proper financing for cohesion policies and the common agricultural policy, transport and energy infrastructure, and the development of the food industry and tourism sector are Romania’s priorities.

The Romanian president also talked about the need to simplify access to common funds, especially under austere economic conditions. Basescu saluted the Council’s decision to change current legislation on access to structural funds.

Basescu said that ensuring the European economy’s sustainable growth is tied to the existence of a competitive business environment, with high workforce occupation. The Romanian head of state said member states need to work together to eliminate national barriers to free workforce movement and consolidate their fiscal-budgetary liability.

The second topic on the meeting’s agenda was climate change. President Basescu re-stated Romania’s support for a 20% decrease in emissions by 2020 and the mobilization of a common contribution to finance such efforts of developing countries.

On the subject of foreign relations, Council members exchanged opinions on the reconstruction efforts in Haiti and the EU’s involvement in preparing an international conference on the country.