ROMANIA: Basescu - Nastase Dispute over Pan-European IV Corridor

While on a visit in Constanta County, President Traian Basescu denied rumours that Romania could be left out the “operating plan” of the pan-European IV Transport Corridor, stating that such rumours were launched by the main Opposition party, PSD.

“This is a story launched by PSD leaders these days, to accuse the Government of jeopardising the Fourth Corridor in Romania, but it is a huge lie. I can tell you that in 1997 in Helsinki, after lengthy negotiations and enough hindrances, it was I who managed to introduce Romania in the Pan-European IV corridor and to have Constanta Port agreed on as the terminus point of this main transport route.
Later on, on this basis, I signed the EUR 220 M financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 1999, for the Bucharest-Cernavoda motorway, whereas PSD in the 2000-2004 mandate only managed to boycott the idea of a pan-European transport route taking the motorway to Cornu, because they were concerned with anything but the development of IV Corridor. The Nastase Government never invested any funds in this project,” Traian Basescu said.

The Head of State assured the audience that the transport infrastructure continues to be one of the main concerns of the incumbent Government, but also of the Presidential Administration.

In reply, former Premier, incumbent PSD executive president Adrian Nastase stated that construction of the Pan-European Corridor has nothing to do with Cornu locality, where one of his residences is located. “As a sailor, he (Traian Basescu, editor’s note) has travelled less on the country’s roads. Corridor IV has nothing to do with Cornu, and if he imagines the Brasov-Bors motorway crosses Cornu, it means he has lived too long on the sea and less in the country,” Nastase said. Source: Nine oClock

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