Prime Minister presented on Thursday, January 24, 2019, the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
The Romanian dignitary reiterated during both the bilateral meeting with Mr. Luca Jahier, the EESC President and the plenary session talks, Romania’s openness, as President of the EU Council, to continue dialogue and the good cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)- as liaison between EU decision –makers and citizens.
Moreover, the Romanian Prime Minister conveyed to EESC President Luca Jahier, Romania’s desideratum to make a significant contribution to the identification of real solutions meant to facilitate the advancement of the European project in an unitary and cohesive manner, as Presidency of the EU Council.
Within the EESC plenary session, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila pointed out the need for strengthening the EU capacity to ensure an adequate level of convergence among member states and to strengthen cohesion across EU, outlining at the same time the importance that the Romanian Presidency attaches to the dialogue with EESC, and to the contribution of this consultative body in multiple areas, respectively the future of the cohesion policy, consolidation of the single market, and promotion of the social field, the citizens’ safety and identification of an adequate and sustainable response to the migration issue.
Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă also highlighted in the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee that our country is involved in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, Romania having a new National Strategy in this respect. The Head of the Bucharest Executive stated that during the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, Romania will be active in preparing the guidelines for a new EU strategy for sustainable development.
Prime Minister’s address was followed by debates with the members of the European Economic and Social Committee, who requested the Romanian Prime Minister’s support, in order to respond to major European civil society concerns, during the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council.
In their speeches, they particularly appreciated the presence of the Prime Minister of the country holding the Presidency of the EU Council at an EESC plenary session, a first in the history of this organization.
The economic, social and territorial convergence of the European Union, the policies aimed at backing small enterprises and entrepreneurship, or the digital single market were among the debate topics.
Prime Minister highlighted the Romanian Government’s major preoccupation to contribute to solving the issues raised, in close cooperation with the representatives of the civil society, according to the European Code of Conduct.
Answering some questions, Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă pointed out that the rule of law is observed in Romania, and human rights must also be observed.