Official Opening (transcript of recordings)

Romica Tomescu
“Your Excellencies, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the initiative of organizing this environment forum, an event enjoying the support of the institutions of Romania, the endorsement of international and internal organizations, and the participation of some prestigious firms.

The policy of environmental protection is an essential component of the sustainable development and, at the same time, a condition for Romania’s accession to the European Union.

From this point of view, Romania has started with a handicap due to a limited and rigid approach of the matter and to the insufficient financial resources allotted to support investments in the environmental protection field.

The Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection co-ordinates three sectors of major importance for the socio-economic development in our country.

In accordance with the strategy for sustainable development of our country, with the national program for accession to the European Union, the Ministry has the responsibility for an integrated approach of fulfilling the objectives devolved from the Government Program in accordance with the appropriate utilization of the natural capital. This occasion offers me the possibility to inform you on the Ministry concerns in the field of implementing the sustainable development strategy in terms of environmental protection.

Along these lines, together with other ministries involved, sectorial strategies were elaborated for industry, agriculture, transportation, territory planning and health.

Also, we are working on updating the national strategy for environmental protection; the national plan of action in environmental protection was updated too, which will permit the implementation of projects and the materialization of concrete actions in the institutional and investment fields in compliance with the provisions of strategic internal and international documents.

The elaboration and implementation of the national plan of action in environmental protection is based on the fulfillment of the objectives established in the national strategy for environmental protection; special attention was given to the international conventions to which our country is a part and to the European directives in environmental protection. Fundamental legislation for environment protection was passed: Law on the environment fund, Law on wastes, Law on atmosphere protection, Law on protected areas, Law on meteorology, Law on protection of the coastal areas, Law concerning improvement measures for afforestation of degraded land, Law of the forestry regime and the administration of forestry fund, etc. As I said, special concern was given to the harmonization of the legislation with European Union directives, so that the entire legislation elaborated till now permits the adoption of the Community Acquis.

Through the institutional reform achieved in the Ministry, the pre-requisites were set up for the achievement of responsibilities concerning the application of policies, strategies, programs and action plans for environmental protection at the local and central level and, consequently, for a smooth process of accession to the European Union.

The reform led to the decentralization of the decision-making process and to the establishment of a modern and efficient institutional framework, capable to enforce applicable regulations in the areas under its coordination; However, the observance of international requirements and standards in the field of environment is not the obligation of the Ministry alone, but of the entire Romanian society called to a coherent, constant and joint effort.

The enforcement of such requirements in the current activity will need meaningful adjustments in the perception and behavior of the civil society, commercial companies and administrative institutions. Thus, we target the creation of mechanisms for a permanent and efficient collaboration with the local and central authorities of public administration and with non-governmental organizations; the procedures of ratification of the Convention from Aarhus concerning the access of the public to environmental information and to related decision making process were initiated.

Even if important steps were made towards the strengthening of the institutional framework, we must admit that we still have serious problems concerning the impact of anthropic activities on environmental factors. In this context, let me briefly mention atmosphere pollution in 47 areas of the country, in which the maximum allowable limits resulting from industrial activity are exceeded (Copsa Mica, Zlatna, Baia Mare, Ramnicu Valcea, Suceava, Dej and others); there are also serious problems related to the ground water quality in the hydrographic basins of the Prut River, Siret River, Ialomita River, Crisuri Rivers, Jiu River; the underground waters continue to be polluted in many regions of the country (for example Prahova, Teleajen, Mures, Craiova, Bucharest, Tohanul Vechi, Bontida,etc).

The state of the coastal areas and seashore suffers from the erosion process; we should not forget the high level of eutrophisation and pollution of the Black Sea waters. There are approx. 900,000 ha of polluted soil, of which approx. 200,000 ha are excessively polluted (pollution with ions of heavy metals in the areas of Baia Mare, Copsa Mica, Zlatna, pollution with oily products affecting till now over 50,000 ha).

The previously mentioned aspects show the imperative necessity for the process of economic restructuring and sectorial integration so as to ensure the implementation of appropriate measures for a rational utilization of resources forming the natural capital of our country, the prevention of resource degradation and deterioration, the elimination and reduction of pollution sources mainly in the previously identified critical areas, the ecological reconstruction of the degraded areas, the rehabilitation and improvement of the environment and life quality - as the single alternative to a healthy sustainable socio-economic development.

Change-resistance must be defeated not only through coercion but also through new mechanisms of financial stimulation for all who are willing to comply with environmental requirements, as well as through the elimination of constraints and obstacles which can hinder investment in or acquisition of clean technologies. For the achievement of the proposed objectives, Romania needs a lot of money and the consolidation of a market of services for environmental protection. I am sure that the mobilization of financial resources either from the State budget or from the Environment Fund, or from international donors like the European Union, World Bank, USAID or the bilateral assistance from Governments of developed countries will help us turn to reality the projects from the national action plan for environmental protection and will get Romania closer to its strategic objective, namely the accession to the European Union.”

 

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