Romania's Minister for European Integration emphasizes the importance of achieving the two foreign policy objectives pursued by the country.
In 2007 Romania will become another member of the EU and, following the Prague summit last November, the country awaits ratification by the parliaments of the member states for Romania to join NATO.
– What issues were discussed in the recent meeting with Ramón de Miguel, Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs?
This meeting is part of our regular working process. Spain has consistently supported Romania's accession to the EU in 2007. The work we have done together during Spain's Presidency of the European Union is further proof of Spain's commitment to cooperation.
The timetable for Romania's integration into the EU has been clarified following the Copenhagen Summit. We have received precise guidance, and the EU Commission has set 2007 as the target date for integration. In this regard, we discussed with Ramón de Miguel the Romanian government's objectives for adhering to this schedule for the remainder of 2003. We also reviewed the objectives for the two EU presidencies this year: the Greek Presidency, which concludes in June, and the upcoming Italian Presidency.
The conversation also revolved around the Thessaloniki European Council, which will conclude the Greek Presidency, and the financial package that we will negotiate next year, which will represent the culmination of our negotiations.
– What is your opinion of the results obtained at the Athens Summit, held on April 16, in which the fifth European enlargement was signed?
The fifth enlargement will only be complete with the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU. In this regard, I would like to mention Commissioner Verheugen, who stated in the European Parliament that the fifth enlargement will not end until Romanian and Bulgarian members of Parliament are in office.
-Romania has two important assets; on the one hand, the size of its market and, on the other hand, the importance of its natural resources as a source of foreign investment. What other values will Romania bring to the EU?
We are trying to stem immigration from Asia, combat drugs, and secure our external border, the second longest external border in the EU. We have prepared our youth and workforce well. Furthermore, we have borne the brunt of wars in neighboring countries. It is important to remember what Romania has already contributed to the EU.
Looking to the future, Romania can be a stabilizing force in the region. We have integrated the EU's acquis communautaire and we are looking towards Western Europe, just as we hope Europe will look towards us. To paraphrase Commissioner Günter Verheugen, from a cultural and psychological perspective, Romania is already integrated into the EU.
– What are the priority actions that the Romanian Government will undertake from now until 2007 to obtain its entry into the EU?
We will follow the steps planned for Romania at the Copenhagen European Council. This involves continuing economic reforms, strengthening administrative capacity, preparing the structures that will manage cohesion funds, consolidating accession criteria, implementing the Acquis Communitaire legislation until 2007, and increasing competitiveness and the national economy.
– What are and have been the most delicate chapters of the negotiation process?
The most sensitive issues are the same ones that Spain negotiated at the last minute. These include agriculture, regional development, financial and budgetary matters, and probably issues related to competitiveness.
– What have been the main advances experienced by the country since the start of negotiations in 1999?
There have been many. First, Romania has submitted all the cohesion documents. The last ones were submitted in 2001, and in 2002, the negotiation process concluded with the opening of all chapters. Currently, we have closed 17 chapters, and 3 remain open. When we came to power, 6 chapters were closed and 9 were open.
Cooperation with member states on the one hand, and with the European Commission on the other, will help us to close all non-financial chapters before the end of the year.
We have made great progress in consolidating the political, economic and community acquis criteria, which has allowed this progress in the negotiation.
– Is foreign investment a determining factor in achieving macroeconomic stability and complying with EU standards?
Certainly, Romania needs foreign investment because it is one of the engines of the country's growth. Unfortunately, so far Romania has not benefited much from these investments, with only about $9 billion.
We currently have legislation, harmonized with the "acquis communitaire" regarding foreign investment, with incentives such as a 20% tax credit on investments exceeding one million dollars. We are establishing a stable and attractive legal framework.
Compared to the latest EU growth, Romania's GDP growth is higher, at over 5%, which means that foreign investment is not enough and there are two more drivers: market demand and exports.
Romania's exports to the EU exceed 70% and quantitatively, they can grow a lot, since Romanian entrepreneurs have adopted European criteria.
– Assess the current state of Spanish-Romanian diplomatic, political, and commercial relations. What point are they heading towards?
The political and diplomatic framework for bilateral relations was established during meetings between the prime ministers of Romania and Spain, both in Madrid and Bucharest. Both prime ministers expressed very positive views.
In line with our cooperation in preparing Romania for accession, Spain is one of the countries with which we are developing nine administrative twinning programs, with Spanish specialists working in Romanian ministries. Of the 27 programs we have, a third are with Spain, which is significant.
We will make progress in trade and cultural exchanges. Dialogue between our countries has been open, and this development is part of our positive relations and this trend toward growth.
We have excellent collaboration on other sectoral issues, such as the integration of Romanian workers into the Spanish market. I would like to counter the notion that Romania will only be present in the European labor market with low-skilled workers. The positive relationship with Spain will be further strengthened by the visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. We are very honored by this visit.
– What will the Europe of 25 mean from your point of view, in the global context of the economic and business perspective?
At this early 21st century, characterized by globalization, we must speak of the Europe of 27, not only in the economic sphere, but also in the field of foreign policy and the fight against terrorism. The EU is striving to identify itself with the European continent, because the EU's voice must be heard in the international arena. When it comes to European interests, a single consensus is preferable to individual positions. The EU is a noble concept based on solidarity, economic and social cohesion, and it will prove its strength.
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