EP President Martin Schulz stated Sunday night on Antena 3 when asked to comment the statements made by president Traian Băsescu about him that the head of the Romanian state was wrong, adding that he had always defended Romania and the European roadmap of Moldova.
Schulz says he has an institutional responsibility and that he respects the institution of the President of Romania. "I will not reply at the same level," Schulz said, Sunday during the Daily Summary show on Antena 3.
The main statement made by Schulz:
I think my chances are good to become president of the EC according to lead opinion polls in many countries, in others there is room for improvement
On Traian Basescu’s attack: it is an institutional aspect that is why I will not comment what the president of Romania has said about me, that is why I will not reply at the same level
If what I have understood is right, than he is wrong, I have always defended Romania
I definitely oppose the categorization of Europeans into classes, what we see in the EU now is quite the opposite, because powerful countries tell the poor that they are poor and they act as they want to.
Now there is a feeling that Europe is not fair, rich people get richer by the day and the poor remain so. There are countries with 50% of the population unemployed
We need to fight against tax evasion, the big banks are making huge profits and do not pay taxes, and the state covers for them.
About the austerity measures in Romania: I do not think it is just a Romanian matter, but an economic concept, the ECB is fighting deflation, there is no growth in some countries, but a rise in unemployment
Most jobs are created by SMEs, it happens in Italy or in Spain, but they do not have access to loans, because banks have some very high interest rates.
There are measures to be taken, we must follow some lines of budgetary discipline and if you have to pay large debts, you cannot make any investments as a country.
But the budget cannot grow without incomes, tax free. The collection system needs to be improved, we have to create jobs for the people and offer them some financial privileges. It's a vicious cycle, money are given to companies, it is a vicious circle.
Someone who has been mayor for 11 years (Schulz – editor’s note) learn about people's daily concerns. My experience is not the prime minister’s one, but a mayor used to solving citizens problems.
On the violation of the rule of law: I will not comment on what Traian Basescu does and says, I have always respected him . If someone does not respect the EU rules, a procedure should be initiated, but there must be evidence to that effect. If the rules are violated, we must act, but only when we have proofs, clear facts.
China is also a huge force, India too. These countries represent a third of the world population.
My country, Germany is the most industrialized country in the world
Do we stand a chance competing against China? The more united, the stronger we are in the XXIst century.
If I were to become the EC president I would first write a letter to the EU civil servants to ask them to forward their propositions to me about what we could improve at regional level, that is why in Brussels we focus on the global issues.
EP President Martin Schulz, said Saturday after the launching event of the UNPR PSD-PC alliance candidates in the European elections that he was surprised at the comments of President Traian Basescu, noting that the President did not carefully read the statements and that he would personally ask him what he meant.
President Traian Basescu said on Friday that it is important to have a good presence in the EP elections, elections that will foreshadow the name of the future head of the European Commission, which could be socialist Martin Schulz, for whom the "annexation of Crimea was a fait accompli," or the popular Jean-Claude Juncker.