The question of a political scientist after the PSD reaction regarding the EU-Mercosur agreement: “Did someone ask Florin Barbu if he goes to the AGRIFISH Councils to support the interests of farmers?” / Minister's answer

Political scientist Răzvan Petri says that “we have positions in Brussels for nothing if they do not have support in the country”, after PSD, which is part of the governing coalition, accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), led by USR, of “betrayal of interests” after our country voted for the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Răzvan Petri claims that “PSD is coming forward with an anti-Mercosur position after being silent for months (years?) on the subject”.

The political scientist says that, from the data available online, the PSD Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, has not participated in the last months in the “AGRIFISH Councils”, which are periodic meetings at the level of the Council of the European Union in which the Ministers of Agriculture from the member states participate and negotiate and take decisions on the field.

“Did someone ask Florin Barbu if he goes to the AGRIFISH Councils to support the interests of farmers? Because from the participation lists of the councils, it seems that he is not very interested in the European agenda. Out of 7 informal meetings and councils that have taken place since June 23 (ed.: the date when Florin Barbu took over a new mandate at the head of the Ministry of Agriculture), Barbu is present at only 2 councils and only one informal one. In the rest, he sent a secretary of state”, Răzvan Petri wrote on Facebook.

According to the information available online and consulted by HotNews, the Council that brings together the EU Agriculture Ministers had 10 meetings last year. Of these, Minister Florin Barbu, who holds the position since 2023, participated in four. At the meetings he did not attend, Florin Barbu was replaced by State Secretary Violeta Mușat, who holds the position from 2023.

Florin Barbu: “I don't know where you got the information from, but I'm telling you it's wrong”

HotNews contacted Florin Barbu to ask him the reasons why he was absent from more than half of the Council meetings where decisions for farmers are discussed and approved.

“I don't know where you got the information from, but I'm telling you that it's wrong. I participated in the councils of ministers, only one or two I didn't go to, which didn't have homework… They were fishing in the Black Sea and topics like that, not agriculture,” replied Florin Barbu.

“I can give you all my participation for 2 years and 8 months and all the things I submitted and how many regulations, three regulations I managed to change in three years, which no one changed at the level of the European Commission. Make a request to the ministry and on Monday you will have the answer, without problems, with all the changes to the regulations that we succeeded at the commission, no problem”, said Florin Barbu.

According to the information verified by HotNews on the website of the Council of Europe, the commission that brings together the ministers of agriculture in the EU had 10 meetings in 2025:

1. January 27, 2025 – Minister Florin Barbu participated from the Romanian side.
2. February 24, 2025 – Secretary of State Violeta Mușat participated on behalf of Romania.
3. March 24, 2025 – Minister Florin Barbu participated on behalf of Romania.
4. May 26, 2025 – from Romania, State Secretary Violeta Mușat participated.
5. June 23-24, 2025 – Secretary of State Violeta Mușat participated from Romania. The meeting coincided with the moment when Florin Barbu took the oath for a new ministerial mandate (June 23).
6. July 14, 2025 – Minister Florin Barbu participated from Romania.
7. September 22-23, 2025 – Minister Florin Barbu participated on behalf of Romania.
8. October 27-28, 2025 – State Secretary Violeta Mușat participated on behalf of Romania.
9. November 17, 2025 – Secretary of State Violeta Mușat participated on behalf of Romania
10. December 11-12, 2025 – State Secretary Violeta Mușat participated on behalf of Romania

Răzvan Petri, about PSD's reaction: “There is only an internal stake for the party”

The political scientist Răzvan Petri claims that the PSD had a virulent reaction against the EU-Mercosur agreement because “there is only an internal stake for the party, not one related to the free-trade agreement nor regarding Romania's negotiating position”.

“The MAE, together with the President, coordinates the field of European affairs and Romania's positions are formulated there, with input from the ministries. This memorandum was anyway of the Ministry of Economy, which has trade under its control”, explained Petri.

“I am glad that the President came out with explanations and is finally using communication as a political tool. Majorities and support for negotiation positions or public policies are obtained through such public appeals and long campaigns. We have positions in Brussels for nothing if they do not have support in the country. More public debate on European issues, more press conferences, more courage. Come on,” he added.

The first coalition scandal this year

The PSD said on Friday that it does not agree with the decision for Romania to vote for the EU-Mercosur agreement and mentioned that the Minister of Agriculture, from the PSD, drew attention several times that this agreement “will strongly affect Romanian agriculture”.

The party led by Sorin Grindeanu claimed that the decision to support this agreement is “an act of betrayal” and directly accuses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), led by Oana Țoiu, from USR.

The capitals of the European Union had until Friday, at 18:00, Romanian time, to confirm their votes in writing. Romania has confirmed its positive vote, in writing, for the EU-Mercosur agreement, Government representatives told HotNews.

President Nicușor Dan said that in recent weeks he was involved in negotiations with other European leaders regarding this agreement: “So that Romania and the EU have commercial benefits in important economic sectors, but at the same time Romanian farmers and trade in agri-food products are supported”.