President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday at the end of the CSAT meeting about the voting in Parliament for Prime Minister Victor Ponta, that "it is a sad day for democracy in Romania", showing that the premier could have resigned and make himself available for the judiciary, "but chose the bad" option sacrificing "Romania's interest for his own interest".
Iohannis announced, however, that the draft strategy presented to the National Defense Council members named "A strong Romania in Europe and the world" will be sent to Parliament for approval.
About the problem of illegal logging, Klaus Iohannis said that it was related to "national security" and called on the Government to "take action to change the current legal framework, to have available a consistent and rigorous legislation which should no longer allow the perpetuation of this phenomenon."
Here are the main statement by president Iohannis:
On the country’s National Defense Strategy
- the first thing on the agenda was the National Defense Strategy which we have presented. We have named it "A stronger Romania in Europe and the world".
- we have thought of the strategy as an integrator document providing vision and direction in terms of national security. My vision for a strong Romania in Europe and in the world which basically means three things: a country protecting its citizens wherever they are, its symbols, its asset and national resources, which knows how to protect its heritage, which prioritizes education and health, a state contributing to collective security preservation together with its partners.
However, these imply continuity and predictability in commitments to action. Continuity and predictability make us a credible country in the world
- the CSAT members have decided to promote the strategy in the Parliament of Romania for it to be approved in plenary session.
Illegal deforestation lies with national security. The Romanian Government should take action to change the current legal framework, for the legislation to be more consistent and rigorous and able to stop the perpetuation of this phenomenon. The Council decided that the Ministry of Environment should undertake the necessary measures to identify degraded lands that could be used for afforestation.
CSAT has approved the Romanian armed forces capabilities that can be made available for missions outside Romania in 2016. Another point on the agenda was the analysis and approval of the framework plan for further restructuring and modernization of the army, to develop appropriate response capabilities. Members of the CSAT approved the transformation, development and equipment program of the army by 2027.
About the vote in the Chamber of Deputies in the Ponta case
Today is a sad day for democracy in Romania, for the millions of citizens who believe in democratic values.
Destroying institutions and principles to save a person's career is unacceptable in a democracy.
DNA prosecutors accuse Ponta of crimes under the law. The Prime Minister declared he was innocent. Neither the Parliament nor I nor you can determine who is right. The only ones able to do that are the judges, but this must reach the court.
Ponta had three reaction choices available: The first one, the best and the most honorable, would have been to submit his resignation and to make himself available for the judiciary. He decided not to do that. A second option was to convince his colleagues to approve the prosecution, to make himself available to prosecutors and prove practically that he was innocent.
If that would have happened I would probably not even suspended him from office and certainly we would have found ways to proceed with great celerity to quickly clarify the issue. The Prime Minister did not have the courage to do so. He chose the third option, the worst. Mr. Ponta used the influence he has as prime minister and asked the parliamentary majority not to consent to the prosecution request. The Parliament has executed the order.
Now Mr. Ponta cannot prove that he was right. He chose to sacrifice the interest of Romania for his own interest. That is why I said it's a sad day for democracy in Romania
What is the citizen supposed to understand from this? That anyone accused of a criminal act can be investigated and prosecuted, but the prime minister cannot, as he has got the parliamentary majority. What is a local elected supposed to understand that he can be investigated and prosecuted, but the prime minister cannot.
What is an MP supposed to understand, that he can be investigated for conflict of interest but the prime minister cannot, because he has got parliamentary majority.
UPDATE 17.35 – The CSAT meeting ended a few minutes ago. President Klaus Iohannis has announced he will make a press statements at 18.00 h.
The CSAT meeting began on Tuesday at 15.00. The meeting is attended by Prime Minister Victor Ponta. The topics on the CSAT meeting agenda includes the illegal logging of national forest. Other topics are the National Defense Strategy, the "Developments in Ukraine", "Republic of Moldova in the new regional equation."
According to a press release of the Presidential Administration , the agenda of the Council meeting included topics on: the country ‘s National Defense Strategy; the work performed by the institutions involved in national security in 2014 and the goals for 2015; Romania's armed forces that can be made available for participation in missions and operations outside the Romanian state in 2016; the draft Framework Plan for further restructuring and modernization of the Romanian Army in 2015; the transformation, development and equipment program the of the Romanian Army by 2027 and beyond; implementation of the NATO Summit 2014 decisions .
Another topic of concern aims the stage of Air Force endowment program with the multi-role aircraft.
Preparation of the European Council of June 2015 the dimension of the security and defense policy also feature on the agenda of the CSAT.
Other topics included on the CSAT agenda refer to the "Developments in Ukraine: the impact on the wider Black Sea region, including protracted conflicts", "Republic of Moldova in the new regional equation. Options on European integration versus the Eurasian orientation.
"The illegal deforestation of the national forest. Impact and firm action to stop this phenomenon" is also among the topics on the Council’s agenda.
CSAT is expected to discuss also about the "steps to achieve interconnection of electricity grids and natural gas in Romania and Moldova" or "nuclear waste management at Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant".
"During the meeting , other topics of interest to national security will also be addressed," the Presidential Administration press release reads.
The CSAT meeting is held a day after the consultations the President has convened on the country's National Defence Strategy topic.