PM Emil Boc
In 2008, the Transports Programme on European funds was not accredited in Romania by Tariceanu government. We are here to practically mark oficially the start of works at 65 kilometers of motorway from European funds and national budget, worth nearly 350 million EUR, if we make a wrong calculus, which means that in the end, Romania is on the right path, of using European funds and funds from the budget, for building motorways in Romania. You asked me before why it was a heavy traffic on Arad – Nadlac?
The same question can be put better to all Prime Ministers of Romania, and especially to former Prime Minister Tariceanu, who, in four – year mandate, built the 5 kilometers of motorway. So far, in Romania, you drive at 90 kilometers on the motorway built during 2009 – 2011, and now, as you can see, these 65 kilometers are being inaugurated, of which 38 kilometers we mark today are in Arad County.
It is a proof of the pragmatism on the one way, at the Transports Ministry that knew to recover the delays in the field of accessing European funds. I repeat once again that in 2008, when we took over the government, the transport programme was not even accredited, without speaking about the start of works to motorways for absorption of European funds. Secondly, this money helps the Romanian economy and the local economy. In 2012, we count very much on European money, in the economic growth forecast. You see that, in Europe and the world, things do not look so fine and there is a need for as much as possible money for investment. An important share of investment money in Romania comes from European funds too. The objective is that next year, we reach at least at a 20 percent absorption rate of European funds, taking into account the fact that projects are under implementation now. When I say, 20 percent absorption, I refer to money already reimbursed from EU, because, regarding money that we pay, after which, bills go to EU, it will be much, it will be already reimbursed next year, to have more than 20 percent, and we can ensure an economic growth in Romania, somehow diminished, further to economic turbulances taking place in EU. Last but not least, for local economy. As you well know, this means more investments, more jobs, to get easier to West, easier from West to East, and last but not least, less casualties in traffic, in Romania.
Minister Anca Boagiu
We have been waiting to see what is happening today for a long time. There are the first four groups of motorways for which works have already started. We talk of 450 million EUR for 65 km of motorways, and in the immediately period, works start on the other remaining contracts, 93 km of motorway. It is important to say that practically, only on this site, the four we open today, the two road sections, Nadlac – Arad, one on Timisoara – Lugoj, the other one Orastie – Sibiu, we create about 3,000 jobs. There are almost 200 million EUR, which will be spent only in the field of constructions. It is also other very important thing, namely I told you that by the end of this year, there will start the works on the motorway from Nadlac to Sibiu. I told that we will sign funding contracts with EU, and already 724 million EUR were signed, and we sign other 250 millions, until the end of November, which means that we have almost one billion already contracted from EU.
These show that motorways can be built in Romania too. Furthermore, we are aware of our role as Ministry in this anticrisis programme. It is an extremely important programme. At European level too, there has been remarked teh fact that on the constructions area, practically Romania ranked second as share of construction works in economic growth. A very important role is played by Boc Cabinet, Prime Minsiter Boc, who make the decision of funding investment pojects in Romania. Very soon, we will meet and complete some of the works already begun here, in Arad, as I imagine you are interested in that too. The road section between Arad – Timisoara will be finished soon, Arad – Oradea road section will be inaugurated soon. Works will start, the first railway section finished, with European funds too. I can tell you that, through Arad county, pass projects amounting to nearly 1, 2 billion EU. From economic standpoint, there are serious investments which the Romanian Government made in this area of the country, which will reflect in the economic development of the entire country. Thank you!
Reporter
Do you expect some taxes for highways will be introduced? And how much would they be?
Minister Anca Boagiu: We talked about this. They will be introduced when motorways are finalized. As execution time, to complete the execution for the sections that we are financing today is 2013, we talk from 2013 on.
Reporter: How many kilometers of highway we will have when we have taxes?
Minister Boagiu: This year, I can tell you that we will have in execution, as state, 276 km, which are already in construction, plus 65, which start today, plus 93, which soon start on Corridor IV, so, basically, 434 started in 2011.
Reporter: Do you have an idea about how these taxes will be, how much you will pay?
Minister Boagiu: When we have an idea we communicate it officially. Otherwise, speaking on it is like a street corner gossip.
Reporter: When you start building Sibiu-Pitesti motorway?

Minister Boagiu: They are working on tender documents. From our perspective, we believe that is a section for which, once identifying the source of funding and because there are three billion euro however, it could be completed in 2016.
Reporter: So, until then, Pan-European will not be ready in Romania?
Minister Boagiu: Since 2000, Pan-European Corridor is not ready in Romania.
Reporter: There were so many reviewers who withdrew from the census that began, as far as I know, today, because they lose unemployment benefits. Do you think of an alternative solution?
PM Emil Boc: I expect on the Government meeting, an analysis of the situation and we will take decisions accordingly. I do not have information, to date, on a national phenomenon. We will see in government and make decisions accordingly, if needed.
Reporter: What did Mrs. Barbu tell you when she referred to certain taxes which will be introduced next year for indexing pensions?
PM Emil Boc: This was not discussed in the Government.
Reporter: But, nevertheless, she made a statement before.
PM Emil Boc: I think if you read the press release of the Ministry of Labour, you have the answer to question.
Reporter: Mr. Prime Minister, what do you expect from the vote in the European Parliament on 23 October?
PM Emil Boc: On which component?
Reporter: On the part of Romania's accession to the Schengen area.
PM Emil Boc: The European Parliament has already expressed accordingly, and I see further support for this approach. I look at what will happen at the European Council. Do not confuse European Council with European Parliament, it is not the same. In the European Parliament, the decision was clearly mentioned, that Romania and Bulgaria should join the Schengen area. We have political obstacles. We will see which will be the political discussion at the European Council, later this month. Thank you!