Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, states that Romania cannot receive a portfolio from the financial sector in the future European Commission, as announced by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, because we are not part of the euro area.
„Euro countries will want to have a say there, not to appoint someone from outside the euro area,” explained Adina Vălean, in her latest press conference as European Commissioner.
On July 16, Adina Vălean will take over the mandate of a Member of the European Parliament, a position incompatible with that of European Commissioner. Therefore, the Romanian Government can propose another interim commissioner for the next 5 months, until the new European Commission is formed. Additionally, Romania can choose not to propose anyone interim and only negotiate the portfolio in the future Commission.
"It's a bit late, I have to tell you. Romania should have already participated in shaping the portfolio architecture of the European Commission. The portfolios will not remain as they are now. Depending on priorities, new portfolios will be drawn up. So, when you participate in the discussion about portfolios, you can get an idea of what would suit you best and what you would like. If you have skills in a certain direction, you request a portfolio in that direction.
You have to differentiate yourself from the other EU countries by something you know best. For example, Romania is not a country in the euro area, so it cannot receive an influential portfolio in the financial sector, because euro countries will want to have a say there, not appoint someone from outside the euro area. International trade is a highly visible portfolio. Is Romania a champion in international trade? Maybe it is, I can't say," explained Adina Vălean.
Regarding Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu's statement that he will negotiate a portfolio in the economic sector, Adina Vălean replied: "The economic sector is a bit vague, it remains to be defined. Transport also means the economic sector. Agriculture, too."
The Ciolacu Government can propose an interim European Commissioner from Romania, who will take over the Transport portfolio until December, when the new European Commission will be formed.
Before taking on the role, the new proposal should go through hearings in the European Parliament. Additionally, the Government can choose not to propose anyone as interim for the next five months, and Romania can directly take over the new portfolio - obtained based on political negotiations in Brussels.