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PM Grindeanu asked the ambassadors from the EU member states to support Romania joining OECD
Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said Wednesday that he asked the ambassadors from the EU member states to support Romania joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
On a visit to the Pitesti Nuclear Research Institute, he said Romania has taken an important step forward toward joining OECD after being invited to join OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
"Consolidating Romania's relationship with OECD is a priority with my Cabinet and I can say without hesitation, without any reticence that Romania is ready to start accession talks. In fact, I am coming from a meeting with European Union ambassadors, whom I also asked for support for Romania's accession to OECD," said Grindeanu.
He added that the Mioveni-based institute is a centre of excellence.
"It is remarkable the involvement of the institute in two international projects for the burning and storage of radioactive waste, where it performed at the highest standards along with the United States of America, Italy, Belgium, France and Canada," said Grindeanu.
He also reinterred the Romanian Government's firm commitment to support the country's civilian nuclear technology research, given its application in strategic areas such as energy, medicine and agriculture.
"This March, I approved rounding up the research and development strategy with several projects including one for technologies for the 4th generation nuclear reactors, better known by specialists as ALFRED, for which development two agreements will be signed today to supplement an international agreement already in force with the FALCON European Consortium. That will be yet another prestigious project adding to two others- the Magurele laser and the Danubius Centre of Tulcea," said Grindeanu.
He also answered a question from the institute's director Constantin Paunoiu about a potential increase in public research funds when the national budget is revised.
"You have a very good partner in the Romanian Government, namely Mr [Research] Minister Valeca, and today I am accompanied by senior official with the Finance Ministry Mr Misa (...) Mr State Secretary (...) it will be you to blame if revision in this area falls short," Grindeanu told the institute's management.