Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and his Spanish counterpart, Mr. Luis Rodriguez Zapatero have decided to set up a high level group by which Spain can transfer to Romania the experience it acquired in the EU funds management, before and after EU accession.
This decision has been taken today in Madrid, by the two Prime Ministers on the occasion of the first official visit which Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu pays to Spain.
The Head of Bucharest Executive has pointed out that the Spanish experience regarding the structural funds should be assimilated especially at the level of the eight development regions. He has showed that the solutions proposed by the high level group will concentrate on the transfer of the Spanish authorities' experience towards the local administration of Romania . These exchanges and relations should aim at the eight development regions. They should make efforts because at central level, there are the necessary institutions for the EU funds absorption , Prime Minister Tariceanu has stated.
Prime Minister Tariceanu has appreciated the way Spain managed the EU funds absorption. Besides the constant support we have benefited of, from Spain, your country represents for us a model of success from the perspective of European integration and a miracle which allowed the funds to be absorbed to a large extent and the gaps separating it from other European states to be bridged, Prime Minister Tariceanu has stated .
Prime Minister Zapatero has appreciated the relations between the two countries as absolutely positive, as between two European partners and he has given assurances that Romania can count on Spain 's support. Romania can count on Spain 's support , Prime Minister Zapatero has stated. He has reminded that his country was among the first to ratify the Accession Treaty and he has expressed his conviction that Romania will fulfill all its undertaken commitments in order to join the EU, on the 1st of January 2007 . Romania 's accession will represent a new impulse for the EU, Prime Minister Zapatero considers. Romania brings enthusiasm, European will and critical capacity, with its 21 millions inhabitants, geography, and its strategic position in the region , Mr. Zapatero has stated.
The Head of the Bucharest Executive has pointed out that there is necessary to intensify the cooperation between the two states in the perspective of European integration. Now, when we feel closer to the European Union, it is important to strengthen the economic, political and cultural cooperation .
The Romanian Prime Minister has assured his counterpart that Romania will fulfill all its undertaken commitments and it will be a reliable partner for Spain in the EU. I have informed the Prime Minister Zapatero regarding the fulfillment stage of EU commitments and that we feel capable to fulfill them in order to become EU members on January 1st 2007 , Prime Minister Tariceanu has stated. He has pointed out that the bilateral relations have reached a level of excellence. We want to continue on this path and to continue the strategic partnership within EU. The result of today's conversations allows me to be sure further on of Spain's support not only in the remaining period until January 1st 2007 but also in the post accession period , Prime Minister Tariceanu has stated.
The bilateral trade relations
The incoming Romania 's accession will represent an incentive for the bilateral trade relations too, the two Prime Ministers have stated. The boost of Spanish investments in Romania will be stimulated by the reception process of European funds that our country will benefit of, further to accession, European funds in whose administration the Spanish enterprises have so much experience , Prime Minister Zapatero has stated.
Prime Minister Tariceanu has showed that on this evening, the members of the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations will propose the Spanish businessmen to associate with the Romanian ones regarding the accessing of the EU funds too. You have to know that Romania is in full development and it is a country of opportunities, from the perspective of trade liberalization and the advantages provided by the cultural and linguistic approaches , Prime Minister Tariceanu has stated. He has added that the bilateral economic relations are very good; the volume of the trade exchanges overrunning one billion EUR in 2005.
Government of Romania - Press office - 08.06.2006