Marcel Bollos, talks in Brussels with the European Commission on the PNRR

  The European Commission is expecting concrete measures in the coming period in the field of fiscal-budgetary consolidation, which will put public finances on the right path in relation to the deficit targets assumed in 2021, according to Finance Minister Marcel Bolos.   He met in Brussels with representatives of the European Commission on the implementation of reforms related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).    ‘The Commission expressed the necessity to continue the discussions regarding the fiscal reform in PNRR which should be completed through the fiscal-budgetary measures presented by us. They appreciated the efforts made by the government and are waiting during the period to come for concrete measures in the domain of fiscal-budgetary consolidation, which could place the public finances on the right track as far as the targets for deficit assumed in 2021 are concerned, through the discussions led with the EU structures. As the fiscal system does not manage to answer adequately the present economic challenges. The measures for budgetary consolidation must guarantee the long-term correction of the excessive deficit, aiming as well as the improvement of the quality of the public finances and the consolidation of the growth potential of the economy’ wrote the minister of finances on his Facebook page.   According to him, the ample reforms of budgetary and economic nature, including the reforms of the pensions system, of fiscal administration, of salaries in the public sector and of the governance of state-run enteprises should support the efforts for budgetary consolidation and ensure their sustainability.   Bolos considers that the reform of the fiscal-budgetary system in Romania should not be understood as a necessity but as an opportunity to stimulate economic growth, draw investments and improve the quality of the Romanians’ life, due to the 46 billion euro coming through the operational programmes dedicated to the financial exercise 2012 – 2027 and another 28 billion through PNRR.    ‘Everybody should understand that the efficiency of public expenses must be improved in order to maximize the benefits for the people. And budgetary allocation should concentrate on the essential sectors, such as health, education and infrastructure, avoiding waste and redundant expenses. I am confident that the whole political class will help with this desire to consolidate the fiscal-budgetary policy of Romania and put to value the occasion Romania has through European money’, the quoted source said.   The minister of finances said that over the next days discussions will continue about the package of measures for the fiscal-budgetary consolidation.    ‘Romania’s welfare is not for negotiations. The discussions we have with the international bodies are meant to reach concrete measures. Over the next days discussions will continue about the package of measrues for fiscal-budgetary consolidation, so that Romania take these decisions quickly in order to help Romania’s government in its efforts to reach the target of budgetary deficit. Namely, there should be a balance between what we produce and what we consume, for fear we might get in a worse situation than the present one’ Marcel Bolos said.