Brussels, 31/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Speaking before the European Parliament, meeting for a mini-session in Brussels on Tuesday, the President of Romania, Tarian Basescu, reiterated the commitment of his country “not to fall into the complacency trap” further to accession to the EU, but to continue reforms “with determination” and “for the long term”, for the well-being of the Romanian people. “The support of the Romanian people and the goodwill of our politicians are a guarantee that reforms will continue”, said Mr Basescu. “The whole country is united” behind a determination to make a success of European integration, “there is a genuine mobilisation” on the part of the political classes and the Romanian population as a whole to plug the considerable gap between standards of living in Romania (“where the average income is 328 EUR”) and the other Member States as quickly as possible. The Romanian government, therefore, has a “political and moral obligation” to continue with its efforts “with and for the Romanians”, he said. Since the 1990s, the country has made enormous progress, “we now have independent judges, ministers are taking their responsibilities, the conditions for children in orphanages has improved greatly and there is greater transparency in public expenditure”, but there are also shortfalls to catch up, such as with our economic development and the middle classes (the proportion of the population dependent on agriculture is still extremely high), protection for the Roma minority and the development of infrastructure and administration, the President acknowledged.
The European Parliament had an important part to play in Romania's accession process, stressed Mr Basescu, who personally thanked former President Josep Borrell. The MEPs were often highly critical, but “with time, many of them became our friends”. In1989, “when we regained our freedom of speech, we voiced our desire to join the European family”, said the President. Today, Romania wants to make its contribution to a “stronger, more effective, more transparent Europe”. “We know that accession does not bring only advantages, but that it also entails obligations and responsibilities”. On the subject of external relations, “Romania will do all in its power to enable the EU to act as a global player. We want to add some value”, particularly in the western Balkans and the Black Sea area, which is a “key region” which may “answer many questions on the Union's energy security”. Mr Basescu went on to plead the European cause of Moldova, “which should also join the European family, where it was in 1940”. On the European Constitution (which Romania has already ratified), the President pleaded in favour of a “solid Treaty” which will allow the EU to function with strong, effective and transparent institutions. “We will be at the side of the German Presidency” to try to get the situation moving again, he said. (hb)