Pislaru: EU is delighted with current Government and firmness we have, with the "unpopular" measures

The European Union and the discussion partners are very pleased with the current government, with the firmness we have, with the comprehensive, "unpopular" measures, the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragos Pislaru said on Wednesday, during a press conference, after the working visit to Brussels.

He presented the conclusions of the visit, the stage of implementation of the Cohesion Policy and the PNRR, the negotiations regarding the EEA & Norway Grants from the next programming period, respectively the financing of social measures.

"It's a bit ungrateful, but I have to tell you this: the European Union and the partners we had are very pleased with the current government and the firmness we have, with the completely "unpopular" measures. Look at France. In France, for example, they can't pass the budget because they can't politically take responsibility for the reforms. Make comparisons. What Ilie Bolojan is doing as prime minister now is something that Romania has never had as a politician's responsibility in the last I don't know how many years. Indeed, more empathy is needed in communication, you need to explain, maybe mistakes are still made," the minister added.

He stressed that taking responsibility is "completely unpopular, anti-politician", but necessary to put "the house in order" and to create "a minimum of credibility".

"If I don't assure the European Union that I keep my expenses and bring in income so that I can keep my budget, I have no way of justifying the European Union handing me another 20 billion euros. If you are a good steward, it trusts that you can use that money. That excessive budget deficit conditionality goes away from here. If you are not able to organize your national public finances, why would you be able to organize your European money? These are the two lines: order in public finances and European money with the pedal on the accelerator. We are the ministry that will press for modernization and the use of European money in the coming period", added Pislaru.