Romanian Prime Minister Florin Citu - on a visit to Brussels - had a meeting on Thursday with Frans Timmermans, European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, expressing in context Romania's readiness to actively participates in the implementation of long-term objectives agreed through the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/special-debates/future-of-europe/portugal-plans-2021-year-europes-recovery-cohesion-and-values/
He also met with other senior officials of the College of Commissioners - Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport.
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According to a Government press release, the discussions with the senior European Commission officials focused on both the overall priorities at EU level and Romania's vision in relation to them, as well as elements of specific interest from the perspective of the European dignitaries' portfolio.
"During these meetings, Prime Minister Florin Citu presented the priorities of the Romanian Government in relation to European files. He also conveyed a message of substantial commitment from Romania to continue to act as a reliable partner and deeply dedicated to the European project. He also expressed Romania's readiness to actively participate in the joint effort to restore the Union's post-crisis economy and to advance the implementation of the long-term objectives agreed by the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024. At the same time he raised the issue of Romania's accession to the the Schengen area, which remains a priority objective for Romania," reads the release.
The cited source mentions that the discussions with Frans Timmermans focused on the objectives laid out by the European Green Deal, context in which Prime Minister Citu reiterated Romania's support for achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and for stepping up emission cuts by 2030.
"The Romanian dignitary underlined the importance of establishing a flexible implementation framework, with adequate support mechanisms for the Member States that take into account the economic and social realities they are facing and that do not impose an additional burden on European citizens, especially those in more precarious situations, in terms of welfare. The Prime Minister of Romania also reiterated the importance that Romania attaches to gas usage in this transition process, a possibility confirmed by the European Commissioner, as regards the development of natural gas distribution networks, included," the release further mentions
At the same time, the meeting with Margrethe Vestager provided an opportunity to exchange views on the consequences of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on European companies, including those in Romania, and on the mechanisms to support their recovery efforts.