Kelemen Hunor: Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for your presence at this important event and I want to announce you that from today, Romania finally has a proper building for the National Library. So far, we did not have. The building in which the National Library functioned was returned and, starting today, this building will be taken into use by the National Library. As you could see, it is a modern building, a building that can be placed anywhere in Europe and has all the functions provided for a modern library in the 21st century. And from this point of view, I say that Romania, Bucharest entered Europe, entered normality for the written cultural heritage.
The investment started, building construction, reconstruction in 2009, in April, completion, according to the contract, was for 30 November, and exactly as written in the contract, this building was completed.
The amount invested in this building is 103 million euro, without VAT, and was made by Aedificia Carpati. In this period, there were secured 1,000 jobs on this site. It has a total area of 120,000 square meters, of which 78,000 square meters is useful area. You have seen some of the building for the first time, you saw the reading rooms, warehouses and administrative area, technical area, but this area is less interesting. National Library has, until now, deposits scattered throughout the country in 11 - 12 locations.
Now, slowly, we collect here at National Library, and we have deposits insured for a period of 50 years from now on. This investment was a great effort for the government because, in addition to lending, we needed a national contribution, both in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, Prime Minister Boc was with us, was with the Ministry of Culture and every time, we managed to secure financing of the building.

We have big plans as follows: next year we will continue the works at the National Theatre and I hope we finish everything on time and we have indeed again a building, a cultural institution suitable for the 21st century. Next year, we will start bidding for the National Opera, the Museum of Romanian Peasant and Cantacuzino Palace, George Enescu Museum.
Meanwhile, here in the back, we will build a so-called tent, but it will not be a proper tent for Ion Dacian Operetta Theatre, because it has to leave building where it currently functions. I want to thank everyone who was with us, Ministers, before me, managed this project: Mr. Iorgulescu - not here, he was invited, Mr. Toader Paleologu, Prime Minister Emil Boc and the team from the Ministry of Culture, my collaborators, Secretary of State and the Secretary General and all those who were with us and the team of Mr. Badea from Aedificia Carpati, who really did a great job. National Library gradually moves here, it will not last for too long, and the National Library services will be opened gradually from January to February, as it is the National Library’ schedule.
Ministry of Culture will move the hall as of January - somewhere at the end of January I hope that we will be here, we have a headquarters as it should be for the Ministry of Culture and two institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Culture - AFCN (National Cultural Fund Administration ) and Training Center - will work here.
I stop here and once again, I want to thank all those who were involved - Finance Ministers, State Secretaries, technicians, designer, entrepreneur, because it was a team effort. Without teamwork, a constructive approach, we cannot make such an investment, but I'm glad we managed to get up today and we can open the library for public in this building. Thank you and I ask Mr. Prime Minister to make a few comments.
PM Emil Boc: Today, we see practically the most important investment in culture over the past 20 years. National Library building is completed and, once again I repeat, it is the most important investment in culture over the past 20 years. You made history, Minister Kelemen Hunor, you made history for culture in Romania. I want to congratulate all those who contributed to this project. Minister Iorgulescu in 2008 was the one who signed the loan agreement, the Minister that we have with us, Mr. Toader Paleologu was the one who in April 2009m started works to this major investment for the Romanian culture, and I want to share with you some of the band we cut it today as a sign of respect and appreciation for what you did.
If it were Mr. Iorgulescu, we kept for a ribbon element for him too, but a donation to the library, to remain for history, Mrs. directory also supported this project. And Mr. Minister Kelemen Hunor was the one who, in any discussion about investment in the Government, raised the hand and asked proper financial solutions to complete this objective.
I admit that I first doubted that it will be completed on time and Mr. Badea deserves appreciation, whom I told that strong essences are always kept in small bottles, who finished on time and on schedule the work that he promised. When there is seriousness, things can go well.
In fact, completion of this work is a victory of "can" against negativism which unfortunately dominates the Romanian society. Yes, one can work and make investments in culture. Yes, one can finish them on time. Yes, it is possible that in years of recession and economic crisis to make investments including in culture and to complete them. Just by the simple opening of a headquarters, we can conclude unequivocally that we are in front of a world class infrastructure which meets any EU standard.
That you are in the National Library of Romania or in another library from an EU country, I repeat, it is the same, because the standards, conditions, the book fund to be transferred here, and related infrastructure provide truly the framework for expression of culture and is, I think, a moment of fulfillment for all book lovers. The National Library is and will remain a symbol of Bucharest. From a derelict building for many years, here, we basically have a cultural treasure and it is an invitation to reading, not just for youngsters but for any man in any generation, as they will find access to internet and ultramodern infrastructure, and authentic contact with the book, collections, newspapers or specialty literature. In other words, it is the right place for any person who loves the book and literature in this country and the infrastructure is adequate.
In conclusion, I want to ensure Culture Minister of the Executive’s further support to finalize the other investment objectives in the field of culture – National Theatre, Romanian Opera House, Romanian Peasant Museum, but also others, because this Executive took a lot of money to investment after 1989, and think that if in 2008, there were spent for investment, 32 billion lei, in the budget for 2012, we have 38, 1 billion lei, this year, we conclude with 36 billion lei, therefore, practically, it is that Government that understood that jobs and investments are the key to Romania’s development and modernization.
Money for investment means money for highways, for roads, healthcare investments, but also for culture investments, and this National Library is testament to the fact that investments, including in the field of culture, is a priority for our Executive.
Let us not forget that this Executive is the only after 1989 that earmark financial resources for cultural reviews, a thing we will further do, because the cultural act needs support in a society which increasingly becomes materialist and ignores cultural and spiritual values.
No, we equally need spirit and matter, and the National Library is testament of such a policy. In conclusion, congratulations and I wish to Mrs. Director to enjoy this building alongside the book and culture lovers from Romania.
I wish you success and congratulations.