Brussels, 29/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - Günter Verheugen, Enlargement Commissioner, said he was disappointed by the progress made so far by Romania in the context of its work for preparing EU membership. He called on the new Romanian government to rapidly implement all the reforms needed. "So far, we are not entirely satisfied with the progress made by Romania. (…) We understand what the problems are, but it is important for Romania to begin catching up", said Mr Verheugen in Brussels, on Friday, after a meeting with Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, who was making his first visit abroad as Head of Government since he was elected last November.
"It is really high time for Romania to now begin to implement the structural and economic reform process, to reform the administration, to strengthen its judiciary system, to intensify the fight against organised crime and the trafficking of human beings, and begin to implement a programme for integration of the Roma", said Mr Verheugen. "Promises, programmes, and written papers are not sufficient anymore. Time for change has come", said the Commissioner, who stressed that the Commission is fully willing to collaborate in a constructive manner with the Romanian government.
The same day, speaking before the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr Nastase had stated that the new Romanian government intended to intensify reform policy, "in continuity" with the former government. He spoke in particular of his government's economic programme, whose priority themes are: (i) privatisation. "This process should be completed during our term of office", he said; (ii) the banking sector, which must be entirely reformed and restructured; (iii) tax policy, which will be readjusted to stimulate exports and small and medium-sized enterprises; (iv) investments. "We shall take legislative and practical initiatives to stimulate foreign investment, simplify procedures and improve the entrepreneurial environment", said Mr Nastase. (v) administrative reform, which has "already begun to better address the problems identified in the last regular Commission report" (November 2000) on Romania.
Mr Nastase also stressed his government's "determination" to finish, once and for all, with the very serious problems to be found in Romanian orphanages. He explained that his government was planning to set up a political, legal and practical framework that is propitious for respecting the rights of minorities living in Romania, including the Roma. Finally, he hopes that the EU will soon decide to remove Romania from the black list of third countries whose nationals require a visa for entering the Union.