PM Ciuca în Brussels: Together at EU level, we should find solutions for energy prices

  Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said that, during the meetings he will have on Monday and Tuesday in Brussels, with senior officials of the EU institutions, he will send a message on the need to seek solutions regarding the energy prices and to maintain the role of gas and nuclear energy during the transition period, as an essential element for the energy security and economic stability of Romania.He mentioned that he will start his working visit to Brussels on Monday night, with a working dinner alongside the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and on Tuesday he has scheduled meetings with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the EC executive vice-presidents responsible for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, for a Europe prepared for the digital age, Margrethe Vestager, and for an Economy serving citizens, Valdis Dombrovskis, as well as with Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport."We will use this opportunity to convey the interest in strengthening Romania's dialogue with the European institutions. It is a priority for the Government to fully respect the fulfillment of Romania's obligations within the European Union. The government's objectives are to manage the pandemic, implement the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR), as well as to accelerate the preparation for the green and digital transitions. Our country has fully assumed the promotion of European values, democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the strengthening of democratic instruments. In the spirit of European solidarity, I believe that together, at the level of the European Union, we must look for solutions regarding energy prices and maintaining the role of gas and nuclear energy during the transition period, which for Romania represents an essential element for its energy security and economic stability," Nicolae Ciuca said on Monday during the government meeting.The prime minister added that at the meetings in Brussels he will focus on the increased interest in digital transition, including in the context of the economic recovery and the implementation of the PNRR.He stressed that another message will be that Romania is waiting for the completion of the accession to the Schengen Area."I will say that our country is waiting for the completion of the accession to the Schengen Area, and this topic is high on the government agenda. Romania has undertaken to finalize the CVM, insisting on the transition to the monitoring exclusively through the general European mechanism, regarding the rule of law valid for all member states," Ciuca said.The prime minister will also present to the European officials that "ensuring fiscal-budgetary stability" is "a priority for Romania".Regarding the meeting he will have on Tuesday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, he said that current topics of the security agenda will be addressed, with a focus on developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Black Sea."We will also discuss about the future strategic concept of NATO, which is to be adopted next year at the Alliance's Summit in Madrid, especially since Romania was among the first Allies to support the need to update it. We will reiterate the determination of the Romanian Government to actively contribute to the missions and operations of the North Atlantic Alliance and the commitments regarding the Allied defense expenditures," Ciuca said.