Financiarul

It was a difficult exam and I think everybody is aware of that because it is a first for myself, when I have to pass such an examination and, secondly, because I am dealing with an extremely complicated and complex sector at the same time, stated the European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture, Dacian Ciolos, after the conclusion of the hearings in the European Parliament Committee for Agriculture (AGRI).

“This complexity was obvious from the addressed questions. I tried to come up with arguments and elements of vision as much as possible, pointing out that, as Commissioner, I have a certain approach and vision, but leaving at the same time the sidelines for discussions and consultations, given that we undergo a more complex decision process, in which the Council is involved as well, the same as the European Parliament, very clearly.

Overall, it was an interesting discussion because I could feel the expectations pulse in the EP, especially on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)”, said Ciolos. He added that during the hearings he explained that CAP Pillar II, referring to the rural development, was conceived to meet the agriculture complexity.

“Pillar I is based on a simpler principle – there is a decoupled aid, which no longer influences the market functioning and gives a certain stability to the farmers’ revenues. Pillar II is by definition complex because it offers the opportunity to take into consideration the member states’ regions in their diversity”, Dacian Ciolos also said.
His message for the Romanian farmers is that he hopes they can more efficiently use the financial aid and opportunities the EU and the common market make available.

“I think that everybody is aware that we need in Romania, prior to use better the EU offered opportunities, a restructuring and modernization of agriculture, a process not from one year to another, with very frequent replacements of responsible people, and I am convinced that the political class will prove wisdom and will secure this stability at the helm of the agricultural sector, will put its trust into the people responsible for agriculture in Romania, in the agricultural professional organizations and, together, they all could carry out this modernization process, so that in a few years time Romania can benefit as much as possible of the opportunities offered by its EU integration”, concluded Ciolos.

The Commissioner-designate informed the Euro-deputies that, till this year-end, the EU Executive plans to present a communication set to establish CAP directive lines. But Ciolos insisted on the importance of cooperation with the European Parliament and on the fact that he counts on a team of experts with whom to establish the mechanisms and criteria for the implementation of CAP reform.