Brussels, 30/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Even though it has been a member of the EU since 1 January this year, Romania must continue to implement its economic and structural reforms and, above all, improve its capacity to absorb regional and agricultural aid from the European Union, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said on Tuesday. “Romania has to improve its absorption capacity in order to fully benefit from EU financial support, around €32 billion in the next few years”, Barroso told the press on Tuesday after a meeting with the president of Romania, Traian Basescu. Romania has made a considerable effort to adopt and implement the acquis communautaire but these efforts must be continued, irrespective of the fact that Romania is now a member of the EU. This is “vital for the future of the country”, Barroso continued. In other respects, Romania is off to a “good start” in the Union, the Commission president said, adding: “It already makes both a political and economic contribution” to the work of the EU27. He also said he felt “reassured” by President Basescu's commitment that Romania would continue its “very European” tack, in favour of a '”united Europe”.
“I assured him that we will be good Europeans”, President Basescu stressed, pointing out that his country was determined to “contribute to resolving the constitutional problem” (Ed.: Romania ratified the draft constitutional treaty) and to strengthen European Neighbourhood Policy. He also said it supported the “energy” package proposed by the Commission. On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Basescu will speak at the European Parliament plenary session in Brussels (see EUROPE 9354). (hb)