In its ties with the EU, Romania has solved the easiest problem

(story to be published in tomorrow’s issue, March 22)

Romania officially presented to the European Union the long-term economic development Strategy, during the meeting Romanian Premier Mugur Isarescu and Foreign Affairs minister Petre Roman had on Monday with the president of the European Commission Romano Prodi and with the European commissioner for EU extension Gunther Verheugen. Premier Isarescu pointed out during the meeting with the EU officials that the Strategy had been accepted by all political parties and civil society representatives, reminding that the text of the Strategy is accompanied by a political Statement signed by all parliamentary parties. Isarescu specified that the Strategy indicates the main objectives linked to Romania’s economic growth, in the sense of the continuation of reform, of creating a friendly business environment and of reaching economic growth without inflation. The president of the European Commission Romano Prodi stated that Romania would now have to observe the objectives included in the Strategy, even though 2000 is an electoral year. “The Strategy also aims to bring all our forces together so that we work together for a long period of time,” Prodi stated. EU extension commissioner Gunther Verheugen voiced satisfaction that Romania observed the term agreed upon for the presentation of the Strategy. At the same time, Verheugen showed that the objectives of the Strategy must now be rapidly implemented. Romanian minister for Foreign Affairs Petre Roman was to present yesterday, during the reunion in Helsinki of the Association Council Romania – the European Union, the main stipulations of the Strategy and the way they are to be applied. “Economic growth in year 2000 does not necessarily imply a growth in industrial output,” Isarescu said. He showed that some exports might register a higher increase than last year, but that industrial output is likely to slump, because “economic sectors lacking a clear retail market might register drops in production.” Mugur Isarescu announced that the general director of the Department of Economic and Financial Affairs within the European Commission, Giovanni Ravasio, is to arrive in the near future in Bucharest together with a team of experts to study the file on macroeconomic issues included in the Strategy. The chief of the Romanian Executive showed that year 2007 represents an ambitious term for Romania’s joining the European Union, being however a target within reach. “Political and social debates within the country must have in view this finality and as things are taking shape, I think the consciousness of integration will be implemented, too,” Isarescu said.