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There is "a national consensus" not to condone ideas which promote, within the structure of the European Union, the concepts of "strong core" and "periphery" and Romania is not the only one "in this battle", Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu stated on Thursday evening at private TV broadcaster Antena 3.
Thus, while on TV, he affirmed that "there are certain voices and even stands in this regard." "I clearly underscore that beyond the violation, indeed gross, of the provisions of the treaties at the basis of the European Union, it is about violating one of its fundamental values. The European Union intends for all states, through solidarity and convergence, to reach similar levels of development," he said.
To that regard, Melescanu mentioned the EU enlargement strategy in the Western Balkans.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also talked about Romania's economic contribution to the EU budget.
"We have an important contribution, some dues that we pay annually and which is not without value," he pointed out. According to Melescanu, "Romania has provided the European Union a special economic support."
In that respect, he drew a comparison between the EU funds granted to Romania and the profits of companies from within the territory of the Community made in Romania.
"If we were to put on a scales the funds we received and the profits realised in Romania following our economy opening up to the European Union countries, I do not believe the EU is at a loss," Teodor Melescanu maintained.
Moreover, he specified that a decision to condition the European funds depending on some cases "is not in the Commission [European - ed.n.]'s charge or of other bodies, but at the level of the Council of the European Union, which is at the level of the heads of states and governments."
The Minister added that he has spoken on this issue with Romanian Commissioner Corina Cretu. "We had talks on this topic, I admit she was concerned with the discussions on this issue because they affect exactly her portfolio (..) We cannot leave her alone to lead a battle, this is a battle we must all lead," Melescanu highlighted.
He declared himself against the idea of a "multi-speed" Europe. "If there is a very strong national consensus in the Romanian foreign policy, the consensus is about not condoning ides with theses of strong core and periphery, with variable speeds, variable geometry (...) From my standpoint, it is a stand that we should firmly promote and I assure you that we won't be alone in this battle," Melescanu concluded.
AGERPRES .
