Today, a series of events related to the inauguration of the new flank of Yad Vashem Memorial - dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, have taken place.

I had the opportunity to take the floor together with other Heads of delegations, Presidents of states, Prime Ministers. I wanted to underline once gain the necessity that Romania along with others countries marked by the Holocaust tragedy, has to have the courage to recognize the errors of the past, to undertake them, and to learn from its past experience so that history would never repeat and the next generations can have a historical point of reference that would help them avoid the horrors of the past.

It was a solemn moment, extremely touching, because of the many evocations made by those who took the floor, and spoke about this huge human tragedy – the Holocaust. Numerous political leaders, representing countries Romania developed relations with, usually participate in such kind of events, consequently I had the opportunity to have some bilateral meetings and I am going to mention these meetings. First of all, I discussed with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt , Prime Minister of Belgium and with Mr. Goran Persson, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden.

I approached with them, issues of bilateral interest, taking into account that their countries had in the past extremely positive positions related to our major preoccupation in this moment, EU accession. I insisted that the two countries continue to provide us the support we have benefited so far. The discussions were positive; the two Prime Ministers expressed their support related to our steps upon EU accession. I asked them to apply to the MPs of their countries so that we obtain a consistent majority on 13th of April, on the occasion of the vote upon avis conforme.

I had a substantial meeting both in length and content with Mr. Pierre Raffarin, the French Prime Minister, and the issue of European integration was evoked again among the political and economic relations. As you well know, France is among our constant supporters within the European integration process and Prime Minister Raffarin assured me of his country’s support in the future too. I seized the opportunity to approach the statements of some European MPs belonging to the group of the European Popular Party that inquired about some critical issues such as the issue of corruption. In this respect, one of the former Minister of France, now member of the European Parliament, seemed to share the opinion expressed by Markus Ferber, the Christian Democrat who referred to the critical issue of corruption.

I would like to tell you that it was a pleasant surprise to listen to the French Prime Minister’s point of view that confirms that France considers Romania a country ready to accede to EU. We also acknowledged the commitment of the French Prime Minister to support us and to apply to the French MPs so that they vote for Romania on the 13th of April.

There have been also tackled economic issues, that you well know, namely EADS and VINCI contracts. We expressed our point of view in this respect, we will take a decision upon these contracts as soon as we have a financial and technical audit that will indicate us if these contracts were concluded according to law. If they comply with Romanian legislation, and they are legally correct, then they can continue.

There are also other projects of economic and political cooperation with the French counterpart. In mid June, there will take place a intergovernmental seminar in Paris , and the two countries will be represented there by their Prime Ministers. Also, a reunion of local communities will take place this summer, an extremely important event for the capacity of local public administrations to commit to projects with sister localities, in order to gain both experience and a concrete support for projects of local interest.

Reporter
Which was the French Prime Minister’s opinion upon the contracts with both companies?

Mr. Calin Popescu – Tariceanu
The French Prime Minister was informed that these contracts were submitted to audits and he stated that he was looking forward to hearing the result of these analyses that will lay at the basis of a further decision.

Reporter
Haven’t you been asked to continue them?

Mr. Calin Popescu – Tariceanu
I have not been asked. The evaluation stages are different. If, the first conclusions upon EADS project have been already made public, as you well know, we have not yet the necessary data that would allow us to make some assertions upon VINCI contract, namely upon Bucuresti Brasov highway section.
Thank you.

The Office of the Prime Minister - Department for Institutional and Social Analysis - 16.03.2005