Romania could use veto right at upcoming European Council meeting against budget cuts

After a quarrel earlier this year on who's going to represent Romania at a Brussels meeting, during which the Constitutional Court was also invited to step in and even had its say, the Romanian president and the PM seem to have reached a quick and constructive decision: this time president Traian Basescu (in picture) will attend. Earlier in June, the Prime Minister Victor Ponta represented Romania at the European Council, even if the Constitutional Court ruled the president should have. “He told me he has a long experience and in this context would like to take part […] I don't think Romania needs a national crisis, so my attitude will be constructive,” said the PM. The Government will provide all the information about the negotiations on the multi – annual financial term in the EU between 2014 and 2020. Romania will not allow its fund to be reduced and will even use its veto right in case that happens. The recent proposal to cut the EU's budget by EUR 75 billion out of the EUR 1 trillion total is unacceptable, said Victor Ponta. The cuts will be made on cohesion funds, which go to several countries, including Romania, and on the common agricultural pact. The European Council meeting will take place between November 22 and 23 in Brussels. During their discussion, Basescu had mentioned the option for both to take part, but the PM said only the president should attend, in order to avoid confusion. The PM himself would also be in Brussels during the European Council, but he will be there to meet the socialist MEPs and ministers, who have their meetings at the same time. In June, the lack of agreement on who should represent Romania in Brussels became yet another public squabble between the president and the PM and echoed intentionally. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: presidency.ro)