Financiarul

Romania’s development should not be impeded by either the red tape in Bucharest or the one in Brussels, Romania’s Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu said on Thursday upon announcing the establishment of a working group at Romania’s Foreign Ministry (MAE) concerned with winning support for governmental projects with social impact and reporting to the European institutions about the government decisions in a quick manner.

‘We do not want to get tripped by red tape, whether it is the red tape in Bucharest or in Brussels.

It is our duty to promote Romania’s interests and not let technical barriers or any other barriers hinder the country in affirming its interests in a highly difficult time, taking into account all the conditions and circumstances in which Romania is findings itself now, and in economic, political and strategy terms,’ said Diaconescu.

He said he is displeased with the ‘reaction speed’ of Bucharest when it comes to inform the European Commission, as well as with certain decisions or assessments of Brussels based on partial information.

‘I am somehow displeased with the reaction speed when it comes to the Romanian authorities providing information and data to the European Commission at a given time.

I want to stress that my displeasure regards mainly the Romanian institutions, those which in the end bear the responsibility for the process, and also with certain decisions or assessments made in Brussels that are based on partial information,’ said Diaconescu.

The Romanian chief diplomat voiced hope that ‘things will improve,’ and the European Commission will get to be informed in due time about the decisions of the Romanian authorities so that it may assess them rightfully.

He also voiced the Romanian Government’s readiness to present ‘all the substance and form elements of the decisions being currently taken.’

‘I fully agree with the need of respecting the European mechanisms and assuming responsibilities as a member state of the European Union in a sincere and fully correct manner.

On the other hand, we want to explain, if it has not been well understood, that Romania, as a border country of the European Union needs increased attention from the Brussels, albeit as far as the red tape is concerned,’ said Diaconescu.

The diplomatic offensive came the same day as the European Commission asked the Romanian Government to provide additional information about the latter’s First Home programme designed to help first time homebuyers.