Minister-delegate Negrescu: Romania's right approach is to join the Eurozone; being prepared is important

Romania's right approach is to join the Eurozone, but it is important for the country to be prepared for the process, Minister-delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu told a debate on Monday on Romania and joining the euro area. 

"Romania needs to undertake in the coming period to pursue a vision of this accession to the euro zone, whatever it is. Obviously, it needs to be defined by the players who are good at that, but also by as many players involved in this process as possible," Negrescu said, pointing out that "there is a great need for political support in this endeavour." 

"I personally believe that Romania's right approach is to join the Eurozone, but I think it is important for the country to be prepared, and it is equally important for the euro area to be an efficient, well-functioning area that has benefits-enhancing mechanisms for the member states, for all the member states, without new inequalities in an area with new problems," he said. 

According to Negrescu, "there have already been talks with European decision makers for Romania, along with other countries such as the Czech Republic, to participate in this process in a manner that is as appropriate and concrete as possible, so that the future euro area may be a zone relevant to Romania and where Romania can express itself." 

He added that "it is important for accession to the Eurozone not to be yet another event such as accession to the Schengen area, where Romania meets the technical criteria, but is not accepted or admitted and has no say." 

Negrescu also said there was "a need for the European Commission to get the countries that want to join the Eurozone engaged." 

"To Romania, successful accession means that citizens are aware of this step, means that the economy is prepared for this and means (...) that in Romania we have properly implemented the mechanisms," said Negrescu. 

He also mentioned the "central" role of the National Bank of Romania in this accession process. 

"There are many institutions involved and obviously a central role in this respect, a central role is played by the National Bank of Romania, and I have emphasized that. I personally can say that I am not one to call into question this role. I believe the role of the National Bank of Romania is an opportune and essential role in this process and that is why we are seeking to get the National Bank involved in everything we are going to do, because their contribution can be an essential one," said Negrescu. 

He announced that the European Commission will soon unveil a Eurozone membership mechanism, adding that "technical meetings at the highest level" are needed in this respect. AGERPRES .