The joint statement lists objectives in a number of fields, including promoting economic growth in the European Union, economic relations and investments, justice reform, global security and defense.
“We have agreed today on a programme of joint work between our two countries to promote economic growth in the European Union, to enlarge it to the Western Balkans, Turkey and the Republic of Moldova, to respond generously to democratic reform in the EU’s neighbourhood, including by sharing experience in institution-building, and to protect the security of our citizens including through ongoing NATO operations in Libya and Afghanistan,” says the statement.
The document also says that “Romania and the UK share a common vision for Europe, an enlarged EU, more competitive in the global economy, more open to trade and innovation, more supportive of new businesses and economic growth, based on the free movement of goods, services, people and capital.” The two states pledge to act together in European, transatlantic and international institutions in support of these objectives.
According to the statement, Romania and the UK will work to
promote economic growth in the EU. “Specifically, we will:
– Drive forward the completion of the Single Market on services,
the digital economy, energy and other fields through eliminating
barriers which restrict growth,
– Promote free, fair and open trade between the EU and our major
trading partners, with a focus on completing a Doha deal this year
and working towards conclusion of other Free Trade
Agreements,
– Reduce the overall burden of EU regulation on businesses,
– Promote innovation, including an EU-wide patent,
– Ensure EU spending is simplified and made more transparent.”
The document also notes the two states’ decision to act together to reduce barriers in the private sector and to promote bilateral trade, as well as to encourage the business environment, especially in the fields of infrastructure, energy, tourism and new technologies.
“We will work together in order to enhance Romania’s performance in accessing EU funds and in implementing Public-Private Partnerships (PPP),” says the statement.
As regards justice reform, the document says “the United Kingdom welcomes Romania’s progress in reforming the judiciary and fighting against corruption under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism,” and the two states “have agreed to strengthen cooperation in this field.”
The UK and Romania will also act together to improve cooperation in military matters, according to the statement.
The document was published during President Basescu’s official visit of the UK.
Romania and the UK laid the ground for a strategic partnership in 2003. The two states established diplomatic relations on February 20, 1880.
According to the data of Romania’s Foreign Ministry, on May 31, 2010, Romania-UK trade amounted to EUR527.2 million, made up of exports of EUR289.9 million and imports of EUR237.3 million.
On March 31, 2010, there were 4,167 companies with British capital registered in Romania – 2.47% of the total number of foreign companies. The UK’s total direct investments amounted to EUR669 million.
The UK is among the countries that have not yet opened their labor market to Romanian citizens.