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PM Ciolacu, in Brussels: We have our pick for European commissioner: Victor Negrescu
The renegotiation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with the request for a 10% reduction in the loan component, as well as the future agreement with the Commission regarding the reduction of the budget deficit were among the topics addressed on Thursday in Brussels by premier Marcel Ciolacu in his talks with the European Commission's head, Ursula von der Leyen.
The prime minister specified, in a press conference, at the headquarters of the Permanent Representation of Romania to the EU, at the end of the meeting with the head of the European Commission, that he obviously also addressed the subject of the name of the future European Commissioner from Romania.
Ciolacu added that there was also a more technical discussion with the EC president about the payment request number 3 of the PNRR.
The Prime Minister stated that he submitted the proposal of a new agreement regarding Romania's deficit, which should extend over 7 years, during the discussions, as "I explained very clearly why we want this, because the biggest investments will follow in 2025 and 2026. As we well know, the PNRR has a deadline of the end of 2026 in terms of investment."
The prime minister mentioned that he also presented a stage of investments in the road and railway infrastructure.
"Road infrastructure, the first proposal was from Romania to have an amount allocated of approximately 13.7 billion euros. The final approval was around 7 billion euros. The difference represents the co-financing from the Romanian state. Naturally, if we want to complete, I understood from (Transport minister, ed. n.) Sorin Grindeanu, today, that we reached 900 km in work and in the tender of express road and motorways, then the budgetary effort from the Romanian state is approximately 60% as co-financing. It is normal that these investments bring Mr. Bolos at the Ministry of Finance, higher taxes and fees, and that's why this quarter shows that it has overruns - due to these major investments in infrastructure in Romania, much awaited by Romanians," Marcel Ciolacu stressed.
Ciolacu was asked at a press conference in Brussels what proposal he made for the position of European commissioner.
"As for the position of commissioner, it's not the first time I've said it, I went with a name. He is the current vice-president of the European Parliament, Mr Victor Negrescu. Of course, we have also made a calendar, I hope that by Monday at the latest we will submit the proposal on behalf of the Romanian government. This is an exclusive power of the prime minister, but, as is normal - and we have already established with [National Liberal Party] Chairman Nicolae Ciuca - we will have a discussion in the coming days. Also, institutionally, if we want a certain normalcy, I will also have a discussion with the president of Romania, because he is Romania's representative in the European Council," Ciolacu said.
He added that before Thursday's visit to Brussels he had no discussion with President Klaus Iohannis on the European commissioner pick.
"We were to have a discussion after I had the discussion with the President [President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen], which is normal. But I also had a discussion with Mr Ciuca before his post and after his post telling him that I will not put forward a name before we meet and have this discussion within the coalition as well."
Ciolacu added that he wants a portfolio as relevant as possible, such as the economy, taking into account that Romania is the sixth largest country in the European Union.