Petcu said the social partners were asked to find together concrete ways to cut expenses and increase revenue.
Dumitru Costin, head of National Trade Union Bloc (BNS), also said Wednesday that the government would establish the general framework of the state budget Thursday, and, as they were informed, the budget draft might be ready Monday.
Prime Minister Emil Boc stated the talks between the government and social partners regarding the 2009 budget draft are in a final stage, so that the ruling coalition would have new talks in view of political decisions on the budget.
Romanian Finance Minister Gheorghe Pogea said the 2009 budget draft would be built upon talks with the social partners, and gave assurance Romania would have a responsible budget.
The country’s president Traian Basescu, finance minister Gheorghe Pogea and labor minister Marian Sarbu also attended the talks with social partners, while Basescu also met them later Wednesday, at their request.