Commissioner Piebalgs goes to Romania to promote development policy
Andris Piebalgs, visited Romania on 24-25 June 2010 to open the third edition of the "Romanian Development Camp", this year dedicated to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Piebalgs stated: "European leaders reaffirmed commitment towards achieving Millennium Development Goals and reaching development aid targets by 2015 during the European Council last week. I welcome the support from Romanian leaders to keep development policy at the heart of the foreign affairs agenda. As one of the EU Member State, Romania has a significant role to play on the way to achieve Millennium Development Goals. The country has a vast wealth of experience of transition, democratic change and economic reform. That experience must not be lost – let's use that together to assist our partner countries in transforming their governance and building their own societies and institutions."
During a meeting with the press in Romania, the Commissioner underlined the need to maintain Member States commitment towards development assistance in view of fighting poverty, especially during this difficult economic period: "Of course everybody endorses these noble purposes; nevertheless, in times of crisis, we are asking ourselves which are the benefits that this contribution brings us. Decent living conditions in the world mean less conflicts; economic growth of Africa translates in economic growth of EU. Therefore it is obvious that this economic growth is a relevant aim for each EU citizen. Romania is one of the big member states and its support for the European development policy, for fulfilling its aims, is essential".
If you want to have more information, read the
press release and the
speech of the Commissioner 
.
