Staff teams from the World Bank (WB), European Commission (EC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Bucharest from January 24 until February 6 for the regular review of Romania’s economic programme. The objectives of the programme are to solidify economic growth, while maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability.
It is an honour to speak to such a broad and dynamic audience today, in a country which, since the foundation of the European Community, has been – and still is – a strong advocate of deeper integration and a Community approach to European policies. For such a successful trading nation as The Netherlands, the two overriding projects of economic integration in the EU, the single market and the economic and monetary union, are the lifeblood of stable and sustained economic growth and of solidarity and social inclusion in an ageing society.
Mr Barroso praised the quick agreement on the fiscal compact and added: "We are making a root and branch reform of our budgetary and economic policies instead of falling for the illusion of quick fixes and constant new announcements."
Key events in the EU's response to the crisis, ordered by date.