Dear colleagues, with this, I concluded this government meeting and I want us to have a political discussion at this time. As you know, since last week, I mentioned you that, after the visit of the European Commission, IMF and World Bank the delegation, the Government must move to another phase of its political evolution, and it is time for some important political decisions. From this point of view, I let you know this: I decided to give up the Government’s mandate. I made this decision to alleviate social and political situation in the country, but also not to lose what Romanians have won with so many sufferings, namely the country's economic stability.

Briefly, I would like to tell Romanians what this economic stability of the country stands for, which was gained with so much difficulty and pain on the part of the people. Romania finishes 2011, after two years of economic failure - 2009 and 2010, with a growth of about 2.5%, one of the largest growths in the European Union. So, again, after two years of economic failure - 2009 and 2010 - in 2011, we have one of the most important economic growths in the EU. Two. For 2012, both the European Commission and IMF consider, through the data forecasts, that Romania will have economic growth above that in the euro area. Third, inflation is at its lowest level in over 20 years. Fourth, we have the lowest debt per capita in the EU. The unemployment rate is two points below the EU average. Euro- RON exchange rate remained and is stable.

The budget deficit is under control and without problems of its financing. Also, economic stability means that we have no risk of payment default of salaries and pensions. And last but not least, the country's economic stability offers a chance in the near future, to increase salaries and pensions. The economic stability of the country must be defended at all costs. And I say that no price is too high - paid by a politician or politicians - to defend what Romanians won by work and sufferings.

I have given up the Government’s mandate because I do not cling to power. I said many times that. To me, it matters less that I remain in this chair a few months more, until elections in November, but it is extremely important for the country to have economic stability and to win together with the Romanians, by our joint efforts.
In these years in the government, we have made very difficult decisions. I know that they made many Romanians believe that a Government does not always make the best decisions.
I want however to be known that those measures were taken with an eye to the future of Romania, they were taken not because we wanted, but because we had to.
I call on the maturity of the political class to pass quickly through Parliament a new Cabinet, a Cabinet that would strengthen the country's economic growth. I want also, from this microphone and this table, to thank each of you as I want to thank all the Ministers who were at this table during this period of more than three years. I know that together, we make very difficult, very painful, heart-wrenching decisions, with sleepless nights back, with many, many torments, but the fruits, as you know, began to appear, and the most important result is the country's economic stability.
Therefore, I think, the effort was worthwhile. You knew from the first moment when you come to the Romanian Government that you did not come in this time of economic crisis to a popularity contest.
In times of crisis, Government does not participate in a popularity contest; it joins the effort against time to save the country. I want to thank you that you have made efforts for Romania to make the right decisions and you have promoted reforms and important decisions for the country, from the fiscal - budgetary reform and that of public sector, to judicial reform, education reform, Labour Code reform, welfare reform, pension reform. There are so many reforms that marked the country, which is to sort out, to clean and bring Romania on the right direction and trajectory.
I also want to thank the President of Romania for supporting the modernization and reform of the state and for the right partnership, in the public interest that I had.

I also appreciate the efforts that PDL and coalition partners have made all these years, sacrificing their votes for Romania to succeed and I assure them that the effort will be rewarded, including politically.

Finally, I only have to address honestly, looking in the eyes of Romanians, whom I want to thank, as they were those who, indeed, saved Romania. Politicians have only done their duty. Romanians have saved the economy and country from economic collapse. I know that through the measures we took, we bothered so many of you.
I know this because I am of among you and I come back to you, but in times of economic crisis, you make decisions with head and less with heart, because then you can make sure that Romania has future.
I know that the medicine I prescribed many times, had a bitter taste. But it was worthwhile. Romania has recovered economically and we have this economic stability we talked about. No one and no politician has the right to jeopardize it. I hope my gesture is seen by politicians as a signal leading to consolidation of what we have and not to division and hatred. Politicians must unite and not divide.
Therefore, I think this Government has done its duty. I think it is time to leave the place to a new Government to consolidate the fruits of our labor and be more popular, because, it does not have to take austerity measures.
We were those who tidied up, put in order the country's finances, and recovered the economy, and we give the chance to this country to head towards economic prosperity. Today, Romania is stable and economically credible. We must go on. For this, I have proposed the government's term of office to finish, I gave up the mandate. So help us God!
I would like to thank all collaborators- in the government, thank the media for being with us in this crisis and, as far as we could, we tried to explain what we did, maybe not always in the best way possible, but always in good faith.
Thank you and wish you all success! So help us God!