Address by Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu on " Romania and the challenges of EU accession" - Friedrich Naumann Foundation - Berlin , June 2, 2005
Ladies and Gentlemen ,
Dear friends,
I am very grateful to have the opportunity to speak today about Romania 's challenges in the way to the EU accession. I would like first to thank to the leadership of Hessen , to the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, to Mr Riebel and to my dear colleague, Mr Werner Hoyer, for giving me the possibility to be now with you and to address this important issue for my country.
However, it's not that easy as it may seem. Romania passes now through the most challenging time over the past 60 years: a time of total transformation. And the scope of this process is very clear: to become a full-fledged EU member on the 1st of January 2007 .
In these conditions, let me build on two fundamental directions: challenges inside and outside Romania .
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I shall consider three large categories of internal challenges. As a liberal prime-minister, I shall start with the one which is the core of my political beliefs and which lays at the ground of any democratic society: the challenge of freedom.
Liberty is not a given, but a process. This is valid in any country in the world, including traditional democracies in Western Europe , or in America . But maybe people in these countries are so much used with living a life in freedom, that they don't realise what mechanisms are engaged in this process, how it works and what it means not to have it. For those who experienced a totalitarian or authoritarian political regime, things are different.
Romania broke free from the totalitarian prison 15 years ago. Liberation from the communism doesn't imply that a genuine rule of law automatically replaced the old system. Over these years, Romania has passed through a democratic transformation. However it hasn't been always smooth or fast. Corruption, old-style state-institutions unrespectful towards the citizens, political leaders formed by the communist textbooks, lack of democratic reflexes in relationship of the governmental structures with the media and civil society, old mentalities – these are some of the problems that we have had to deal with over this period.
They are all part of what I call the challenge of freedom. Looking back, it is obvious that Romania has made huge progress. My country in 2005 is completely different than at the beginning of the 90s. Romania 's response to this challenge was sometimes quick, other times quite slow.
I must confess that, as a liberal, I am the supporter of quick moves, without opportunistic compromises. That's why the government that I run has approached the challenge of freedom by starting deep reforms in key areas, to strengthen the rule of law.
Let me share with you some of our actions. One of our priorities has been to tackle corruption, because it is the most dangerous obstacle for the rule of law. We have promoted a generation of new politicians, young and without a biding past. The advantage is that they cannot be blackmailed, or hindered by their past; they are energic and committed to democratic and liberal values, that is to say European values.
The government that I run is the youngest in the history of my country and apparently also in Europe , at this moment. That's why probably our explicit commitment to fight corruption has been taken seriously. Authorities have become dynamic, and fulfill their role. Figures speak for themselves: the National Anticorruption Prosecutor's office has been investigating on 199 judges, 11 prosecutors, 60 police officers, 16 customs officers since the beginning of the year.
We have adopted a new anti-corruption strategy at the end of March and enforced new legislation against corruption. We have increased the accountability of the political class, by the new legal framework. The ministers are not protected anymore by any immunity, once they end their term, and can be subject to criminal investigation, as any other citizen, which was not the case before. The dignitaries, public servants and magistrates have to fill in very restrictive declarations of wealth and of interests. An anticorruption squad has been set up to fight corruption within the police forces.
But our most important action in the anti-corruption campaign is to reform the judiciary. For the first time over the past 15 years, the minister of Justice and the state secretaries from this ministry are not political persons. They come from the civil society and haven't given up their political independence. No party from the ruling coalition has ever interfered with their activities.
On the contrary, I, as prime-minister, and my colleagues from the government and from the coalition have given them the political support to prepare, promote and enforce the reform of the Judiciary.
The evidence of this is that the government decided this Wednesday to assume the responsibility in front of the Parliament for three laws to reform the judiciary. When the government uses this procedure to pass legislation, the Parliament can sanction it by adopting a motion of censorship against the Government. That's why our gesture proves once more our deep commitment to fight corruption and to build up independent, professional and fair judiciary. I am confident that the process will end up successfully.
The challenge of freedom equally includes the freedom of speech. We strongly believe that free media consolidate democracy. We have acted in consequence, by enforcing a law which prevents the use of public money to control media.
Exemples can carry on, but I'd rather move to the second type of challenge that Romania faces now: the challenge of prosperity. Poverty can only weaken up democracy. It leaves the way open to populism and nationalism. At the same time, it raises obstacles between Romania and Europe . That's why the economic development of my country is a top priority for me and my government. We have taken some key measures that will increase the standard of living of our citizens, allowing us to catch up the delays that separate us from the other European countries.
As a liberal, I fully support the functional market economy. All the steps we have taken ensure the free competition, according to European norms. We have cut connections between the public money and the political clientele. We have forbidden companies to be exempted from paying debts to the state budget, which used to create distortions in the market and fuel corruption.
The bank accounts of almost 4000 companies with debts to the state budget have been blocked. We issued a new law punishing harshly fiscal evasion. We have consolidated the Competition Council and apply the European regulations on state aids.
At the same time, we have started a fiscal reform, to consolidate the business environment. Our first step was to introduce a flat tax of 16%. The consequence of these measures is already visible. The revenues to the state budget have already increased. Higher salaries have started to be paid. About 100.000 new jobs have made surface.
New companies plan to invest or to develop their businesses here. They are interested also in the Romanian companies that are prepared for privatisation . I am very happy that Deutsche Bank is interested in taking over the largest Romanian bank - BCR. I can ensure you that the privatisation process both for BCR and for the rest of the state assets will be fair and transparent.
We move to the third internal challenge that I want to approach: the challenge of time . Everything that Romania does now is part of a race against time. We must move quickly, in order to meet the deadlines, catch up delays ans seize opportunities.
The European integration process is the most illustrative exemple of how we run against time. But, believe me, we are not complaining about it! We are very serious and responsible about it! We have pledged to meet all the commitments made during the negotiation process. I include here both the conditions under the saveguard clause and the acquis communautaire .
We'll deliver! I have already said several times: Romania 's European integration is my main political project!
I want to make a very important distinction. What we do now, is not only to apply some requirements which were imposed to us by the EU. What we do now in Romania is part of the vision that we have on how Romania should be. We consider that every step which appear in the European calendar is necessary for the development of Romania as a democracy and as a functional market economy. Subsequently they are in the interest of the citizens. I wanted to stress this aspect, because it explains why we are so genuinly dedicated to reforms. It also says why our commitments should be taken seriously. They are not just words.
In this context, let me move to the external challenges that Romania faces in the European integration process. Of course the political context in Europe is for us a permanent source of challenges, but the signature of the Treaty in Luxemburg has made clear the commitment of the European members towards Romania 's accession.
I have noticed, however, two challenges that Romania seems to face from some participants to the debates in Europe . Some political players are still sceptical about Romania 's contribution to the EU. I've heard an argument related to the assumption that the EU would import corruption from Romania . In fact, the effectiveness of the steps we have already taken proves that corruption is not a disease that spreads, without control. Strong democratic institutions are the antidote against it.
We strengthen our institutions, so corruption has diminished in Romania . The rule of law in European countries is so powerful , that corruption is duly contained and sanctioned, and so is now in Romania .
Other people fear that Romanians may invade the European labour market. The experience of Spain , Portugal and Greece has shown the opposite. People working abroad tend to return home, after the integration. Moreover the consolidation of the Romanian economy will offer more employment opportunities for people and they'll prefer to remain home, with their families.
And exemples can carry on. I'd call this kind of arguments the challenge of fear and distrust. From this point of view, Romania has to catch up and consolidate its perception in Europe . Romania brings a lot to Europe : the potential and size of a large market and rich country; a unique cultural patrimony; highly-skilled people. That 's why Europe wouldn't be complete without Romania .
I think we all share the vision of a strong, united Europe . This wouldn't be possible without Romania . I'd suggest those who fear or don't trust Romania to follow the vision and not the fear. Fear only delays things and prevents us from meeting our dreams.
Romanians' dream is to make Europe acknowledge us as Europeans. It is a matter of personal and national pride to show that we are able to fulfill all the commitments made during the negotiation process. It doesn't mean that we don't need political support. It means that we don't rely only on it. We rely first at all on what we do.
We have the ambition to prove that Romania deserves to be a full-fledged European member state! And we'll do it by delivering our promises!
Thank you!
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Mr. Schroeder considers that it is not necessary to re-analyze either the EU enlargement decision or the accession negotiations regarding Romania and Bulgaria . “There are persons who believe that there must be discussed the adopted decision related to Romania and Bulgaria or to re-analyze the negotiations. I am a firm opponent of this idea”, stated the German Chancellor.