In December 2000, Adrian Nastase was appointed Prime Minister by Romanian President Ion Iliescu. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Romania, he has focused his policies on eradicating poverty and corruption, as well as ensuring economic progress and the country's entry into the EU and NATO.
– Following the visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain to Romania, what assessment would you make of the current relationship between the two countries?
The State Visit to Romania by Their Majesties the King and Queen represents the natural culmination of the upward trajectory of bilateral relations since 1989. The Romanian-Spanish political dialogue at the highest level is fundamental evidence that we are at a pivotal moment, capable of fostering genuine interaction between Romania and Spain. As His Majesty King Juan Carlos I declared: "We are experiencing a period of excellence."
This state of excellence constitutes a guarantee that relations between Romania and Spain have acquired a new dimension and new values, demonstrated by the progress made in diversifying the field of bilateral links on the one hand and, on the other hand, by the successes recorded as a result of intense cooperation based on increased mutual trust.
The deep ties established between our countries, the historical similarities, and the cultural and linguistic affinities are elements that contribute to building a solid foundation for lasting collaboration in the future. The work of the Spanish-Romanian Economic Forum, held in Bucharest and inaugurated in the presence of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain and His Excellency Ion Iliescu, President of Romania, has revealed, through the gathering of more than 300 Romanian and Spanish companies, that Romania offers an increasingly favorable environment for investors.
Efforts have been made in the fight against corruption, and for the third consecutive year, Romania has recorded economic growth. These are just a few elements of a by no means exhaustive list, which reinforces the confidence that Romania will become, as soon as possible, a prime destination for Spanish investment. We are currently undergoing a sustained privatization process in key areas of the national economy, such as electricity generation and transmission, the production and distribution of petroleum products and natural gas, and the banking sector.
At the same time, in order to support small and medium-sized enterprises and facilitate Romanian-Spanish contacts, on the occasion of the state visit of the King and Queen to Romania, it is worth highlighting the fact that two important agreements were signed between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries, respectively, between the Romanian Center for Foreign Trade and the Spanish National Institute for Foreign Trade.
– What have been the main pillars of the Romanian government's political program since 2001? Have the forecasts set by your Cabinet at the beginning of the legislature been fulfilled?
The main objectives of our political strategy are economic reform, strengthening the rule of law, and developing democracy by improving the institutional system and consolidating the effective functioning of social collaboration and dialogue between the government and civil society. Another essential objective we have set for ourselves is preparing Romania for full integration into the structures of the European Union and NATO.
We have achieved economic growth based on an increased investment rate, through significant participation of domestic capital and by attracting external resources, especially in the form of direct investment. This is how we have managed to secure an average GDP growth rate of 4,5% to 6%.
We have made a substantial improvement in the business field, mainly ensuring an economic, financial and legal framework.
In the external sphere, we have successfully launched and invigorated a comprehensive program to prepare Romania for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. As a result of this initiative, Romania was admitted to NATO, and the European Union institutions adopted a positive and open attitude toward us. This is a positive sign, and we must now act to meet standards compatible with those of the international community. This requires proper preparation for the negotiations and rigorous drafting of accession dossiers and position papers. Over the past two years, the process of harmonizing Romanian legislation with EU law has accelerated, and relations with EU member states have been substantially strengthened.
– Romania's entry into NATO is a fact, and accession to the EU will materialize in the coming years, how will the country's political life fundamentally change?
Perhaps integration into both structures represents, first and foremost, an opportunity to align ourselves politically and economically with a family of democratic states to which we truly belong by virtue of shared history, culture, and values. From this perspective, we hope that our policies will increasingly follow the main coordinates of European policy. And especially as a member of NATO and, in the future, of the EU, we will be able to contribute to shaping what I would call the "Euro-Atlantic voice."
It is difficult to define precisely what Romanian political life will be like in a few years, especially under the current conditions, with profound transformations taking place within NATO and the EU that will also have repercussions on our country's internal developments. In the realm of Romanian political life, I believe that the intensive preparatory processes undertaken in recent years have left a visible mark on the development of debates and decision-making on matters of public interest.
I would also anticipate that the internal political debate will become more substantial as Romanian society gradually understands that Brussels is part of the decision-making and action sphere that influences domestic life. Interest and opinion groups will identify other arenas besides domestic ones in which to express their views.
Of course, our integration efforts will not end with acquiring full membership in NATO and the EU. This step will only mark the beginning. Romania will have to implement the commitments it has made, and we are prepared to honor the agreements resulting from membership in these two organizations. Joining an ambitious EU is very important to us, and in this respect, the participation of our representatives in the Convention has been an excellent opportunity to present our perspective on the future of Europe. We did not join the EU simply to benefit from the economic advantages it offers.
In the new Euro-Atlantic security equation, Romania is identified as a contributor both to the balance and the predictable evolution of EU-US and NATO-Russia relations, and also to the creation of the foundations of the new strategic vision in the openings of NATO and the EU towards the spaces of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
– During your official visit to Madrid in November 2002, the good relations between Spain and Romania were already confirmed. What areas of collaboration should be strengthened between the two countries? Don't you think that Spanish trade and investment are still minimal?
Over the past few years, we have witnessed a steady increase in bilateral cooperation in areas such as justice, home affairs, public finance, labor and social protection, transport, and agriculture. This bilateral cooperation has developed particularly within the framework of EU-backed grant programs (twins).
We also cooperate in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, and we are taking the first steps to establish a framework for collaboration at the level of local communities.
I would like to refer to a phenomenon well known to Spanish society, one that has the potential for negative media coverage for Romania and could potentially strain bilateral relations if not addressed responsibly. This is the phenomenon of irregular immigration of Romanian citizens to Spain, which has become a source of concern for the authorities of both countries.
I wish to assure Spanish society of the institutional decision to combat irregular immigration and its associated negative consequences. The excellent collaboration between the relevant Romanian and Spanish institutions can contribute to our shared efforts through constructive and realistic discussions on this issue, based on mutual trust and a desire to find solutions.
Economic cooperation remains at a modest level. Trade volume at the end of 2002 was approximately €500 million, reflecting an upward trend, but only 24% higher than in the same period of 2001. Spain's share of Romania's foreign trade remains quite small (1,6%), ranking 14th in total Romanian trade and 9th in trade with the EU. Estimates for 2003 are optimistic, consolidating the upward trend of recent years, which we expect will continue so that, with the political support agreed upon by both governments, we will reach €1 billion in trade flows by 2007.
Regarding investments by Spanish companies in Romania, statistics show that the volume of Spanish direct investment is approximately $150 million. Spain ranks 16th on the list of foreign investors in Romania.
As a result of internal efforts to adopt the community acquis, substantial progress has been made with regard to improving the business environment, creating a favorable climate for foreign investors and also with regard to the measures recently adopted by the Romanian Government in the fight against corruption.
There is untapped potential, especially in the current period, to offer Spanish investors greater visibility in the Romanian market. We hope that, considering the potential advantages Romania offers in the general economic sphere and particularly in the privatization sector, an increase in the volume of Spanish investment will be stimulated in the future.
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