PM Dancila: The EU must offer to its citizens prosperity, stability and security

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Tuesday underscored at the conference "Inclusive cohesion policy for a Union closer to the citizens," organised at the Parliament Palace that the European Union must offer its citizens means to prosperity, stability, social solidarity, peace, liberty and security. 

"The European Union must offer its citizens prosperity, stability, social solidarity, peace, liberty and security. We need an Europe to be more integrated, stronger and more cohesive, built on objectives and consensual directions of action. In May, the European Commission made public a legislative package regarding the cohesion policy 2021-2027. (...) At the core of the Commission's concerns there is the promotion of economic transformation through stimulating investments at the EU level, by encouraging innovation, digitization, but also through supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Moreover, also targeted are ensuring energy transition, using energy from renewable sources and combating climate changes, as well as strengthening strategic networks of transport and digital. Not last, the emphasis on the social character of Europe and getting the citizens closer to the European institutions is also sought. Where does Romania stand in relation to these ambitious objectives? In just two months, starting on January 1, 2018, Romania will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union . The motto that will lead us during the six months is cohesion - a common European value," said Dancila. 

She added that, in this spirit, Romania will aim for the European policies to permanently refer to the principle of cohesion, as a defining element of the European Union, in order to rebuild the citizens' trust. 

Viorica Dancila stated that, in what concerns the financial support, our country endorses the European Commission's proposal according to which grants should remain the main form of financing under the cohesion policy.