European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sent a message of congratulations to Romania’s new Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, in which he also talked about the country’s economy and the justice system.

“Please accept my warm congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of Romania,” starts the message Jean-Claude Juncker also posted on his Twitter account.

“This is a momentous time for Romania and the European Union. We look forward to the continuation of the positive trend in Romania regarding a stable Government, robust economic growth, increased productivity, rising living standards, and an independent justice system that can sustain the fight against corruption. The European Commission remains your constant and reliable partner in these undertakings, be it through our financial support, technical expertise and our presence on the ground,” reads the message.

The EC President also sent a letter to former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, reports local Hotnews.ro.

"As you step down from office let me congratulate you for the excellent work your Government delivered during the last year. You ensured an unprecedented period of transparent, open and responsible governance in the recent history of Romania. We look forward to the continuation by the future Government of some of the flagship initiatives you launched, such as "Competitive Romania", the anti-poverty package and the reform of the public administration," reads the letter.

Romania’s new Government, led by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, got the Parliament’s confidence vote on Wednesday. Later the same day, the Government was also sworn in and had its first meeting.

Sorin Grindeanu, 43, a former communications minister and deputy in Romania’s Parliament, was the head of the Timis County Council between June 2016 and early January this year, when he took over as Prime Minister.

He has been a member of Social Democratic Party (PSD) since 1996 when he was only 23. He graduated computer studies at the West University of Timisoara and specialized in database management. He started as a university assistant and then worked as a director at the Youth and Sports Direction in Timis, between 2001 and 2004. In 2004, he was elected to the Timisoara Local Council, and in 2008 he became the deputy mayor of Timisoara.

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Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Jean-Claude Juncker on Facebook)