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Gerhard Schroeder speaks in Bucharest about economic situation in Europe and international evolutions

'Europe, where to? The economic solutions of the left' was the main theme of the debate organized by the Ovidiu Sincai Institute of Social Democrats in Bucharest on Friday, the guest of the event being the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

After the debate, the German official held a press conference together with the President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD, main opposition), Victor Ponta, on which occasion the former German chancellor said Europe is facing a very difficult economic situation right now, marked by a crisis that could constitute an opportunity for a reform programme to be applied in a coherent manner. He also stressed investments in certain priority sectors such as research and innovation, education and healthcare need a clear guidance. Schroeder referred, in his analysis of the economic situation in Europe, the evolution of his country in the past 30 years, drawing a parallel between the current international situation and the future of an enlarged the European Union (EU), which must include also the countries in the Balkans, including Turkey, unless this country fails to meet criteria for membership. Not least, the German guest underlined the need for integration of Moldova into the EU, at the same time emphasizing the importance of achieving a European partnership with Russia - a country with a great economic potential.

''We need a reform programme for the future financial architecture of Europe,'' said Schroeder, who underlined the importance of the stabilization of euro and the creation of a European monetary union. He further called for a vertical fiscal policy, necessary in such times of economic crisis, and which should be accompanied by measures of economic stimulation.

''We must take into account the importance of recently industrialized countries [...] countries that have become stronger in recent years. Emerging markets have become more important in the world economy and they will become increasingly important. Asia for instance has become a central figure in the global picture,' said the former German chancellor.

He noticed, amid the current economic situation and the effect of the war in the Balkans, the rising nationalism in European countries leading to the very situation in which parties with racist or xenophobic come to form governments.

Referring to the EU enlargement process, Schroeder appreciated that the Union can not remain unchanged, even though some countries' accession process will take years, because Europe needs strong partners.

''Europe needs Russian resources. And we will also have stability on the continent, if we manage to conclude a partnership with Russia,' said Schroeder.

According to the German official, negotiating a new partnership and cooperation in Europe will not be enough, for there is need of a new quality of the relevant international legislation, with a new free trade area and resumption of a free political dialogue, to refer among other things to granting visas for Russia. He criticized, in this context, 'the United States' visionless policy in what concerns Russia that was practiced by former president Bush, who isolated Russia.''

The door (for EU, editor's note) for a partnership with Russia is open. It is time for Brussels to give a signal of cooperation with Russia,'' said Gerhard Schroeder.

The PSD President, Victor Ponta, also highlighted the role played by Germany in Romania's European accession process and in his turn thanked the former German chancellor. He promised that the Social Democrats would launch the reform they have already proposed 'in the very first day when they get to power.' On the occasion of the conference held together with the German guest, Ponta has shown that, if in 2003 Gerhard Schroeder launched the 2010 Agenda, which today is implemented by the majority of European countries, the Social Democrats would like, in their turn, to have the vision and knowledge necessary to provide Romania a 2015-2010 Agenda, with the Romanian society to develop based on it as fast as its citizens expect.

The event was attended by many personalities of the political and academic environment, members of the Scientific Council of the Ovidiu Sincai Institute.

Sursa: http://www.actmedia.eu

Tags: which german european countries russia gerhard former schroeder economic situation international europe euro

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