” “"Our accession to the EU has marked a new start for us Rumanians", a "spur to change" to modernise our country, as well as "a new opportunity to reassert our values, to which we must remain loyal" within the Union. Traian Basescu, president of Romania, spoke yesterday afternoon during the EU Parliament session in Brussels. In his speech to the MEPs, Basescu listed "three basic points for the six-month German chairmanship". "First and foremost, the Constitution, for which I urge to resume negotiations". According to the Rumanian head of state, the EU integration process "needs a sound treaty: to reform the institutions, to give democratic legitimacy to the EU and be more transparent with the citizens". Secondly, "the energy issue. In this area, the member states must have a common policy, to ensure electricity supplies, diversify the sources, deregulate a sector whish is strategic" for the economy and the citizens’ life. Finally, "we must revive the neighbourhood policy, that is the best way to go to support our values and bring the EU standards" into other countries, "especially Eastern Europe". Today the 27 member Assembly will welcome, also during a formal session, the Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov.” “
