The Minister of Economy intervenes in the scandal in the coalition regarding the Mercosur agreement and talks about the “hypocrisy of some politicians with ideas of isolating the country”
Irineu Darau. Photo source: Inquam Photos / Sabin Cirstoveanu
USR Minister of Economy, Irineu Darău, said on Saturday that Romania expressed its support for the EU-Mercosur Agreement “after firm negotiations, which brought clear guarantees for industry and agriculture”.
Romania's position towards this trade agreement caused the first scandal of the year in the governing coalition, where PSD accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Oana Țoiu from USR, of “betraying the interests of Romanian farmers”. On Saturday, Social Democrat MEP Victor Negrescu said the party would not vote for the agreement in its current form.
The USR Minister of Economy did not mention PSD in his post on Saturday evening, but he stated that, “beyond the hypocrisy of some politicians with ideas of isolating the country, Romania needs new export markets and correct rules for its producers”, and the agreement “will lead to an increase in exports” from our country.
“The Romanian state supported this agreement after firm negotiations, which brought clear guarantees for industry and agriculture”, added Irineu Darău.
“The figures are clear”
According to the minister, the agreement will entail almost zero customs duties for Romanian products, greater exports and access to cheaper raw materials, greater production and jobs in the automotive, mechanical and electrical industries.
“The figures are clear: in 2023, Romanian companies paid more than 47 million euros in customs duties for exports of industrial products to MERCOSUR. After the entry into force of the agreement, these duties disappear almost completely,” continued the official.
He warned that “isolation does not protect Romania” and said that “an open economy that protects the interests of farmers and industry makes it stronger.”
“Agriculture is protected and Romania obtained this through insistence and negotiation: sensitive imports are strictly limited, EU standards remain mandatory, and 15 Romanian products with geographical indication will be protected on the MERCOSUR markets,” Minister Irineu Darău also declared.
