10
Mar
2025
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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Madam President, dear colleagues, Romania reached a historic milestone 18 years after accession: €100 billion in non-reimbursable European funds. The amount represents concrete investments in better paid hospitals, schools, infrastructure and jobs. But this result was not guaranteed. It took work to ensure that Romania receives and uses these financial resources. In recent years, through my work in the European Parliament, I have saved billions of euros of unused funds, amending European regulations to phase out European projects. We have helped to simplify the rules for accessing European programmes and we have amended the budget of the European Union so that these resources can reach our region. But these funds are not just figures on paper. We need to look ahead: we need better, more efficient absorption, more flexibility and a strategy for the future. 100 billion euros is a success, but also a responsibility. Extremism seeks to destroy this opportunity for Romania. I will continue to fight for every euro to be used where it is most needed by Romanians and Europeans.