Romania needs responsibility and must continue on the right path, with the steps taken this year - the most difficult ones - having set the country on the correct course, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stated.

'I took office six months ago at a difficult moment for our country. At that time, I announced three main directions for the Government's work: financial order, good governance, and respect for citizens. These priorities remain valid for the year ahead. Although much remains to be completed, I believe the steps taken this year, the hardest steps, have put our country on the correct course,' Prime Minister Bolojan said on Monday during the joint session of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, at the debate on the no-confidence motion 'Romania is not for sale - no progressives in government,' initiated by 117 parliamentarians.

He emphasised that when his government took office, Romania was at risk of losing the confidence of financial markets.

'We avoided this scenario through a series of measures that have begun to rebalance the economy and halt the deepening deficit. These measures involved sacrifices from Romanians, to whom I extend my thanks once again. The first results are now appearing. Rating agencies have maintained Romania among the recommended countries for investment. For the first ten months of the year, we have already achieved a reduction in the deficit compared with the same period last year. In addition, revenues collected for the budget have increased by 12.3% compared with the same period last year, thanks to improved collection. For the first time this year, in October, Romania borrowed at interest rates lower than those of the previous year, demonstrating renewed investor confidence,' Bolojan added.

He confirmed that next year there will be no new increases in taxes or levies.

'Since we have started to bring order to public finances, next year there will be no increases in taxes or levies. We will focus on correct collection, combating tax evasion, attracting European funds to continue investments, and restructuring the economy on healthier foundations. These are not just words. They are positive signs for Romania in the short term and new development perspectives in the medium term, which will have a beneficial effect on every Romanian,' Bolojan highlighted.

The prime minister accused the authors of the no-confidence motion of delivering only 'chaos and scandal' instead of offering solutions.

'I still do not understand what alternative the motion's signatories are proposing. Should we have let Romania fall into crisis? Should we have continued spending and deepened the deficit? Should we have refrained from investing in defence and left Romania vulnerable? The motion demonstrates that the signatories do not understand, or pretend not to understand, the economic, social and geopolitical context in which we operate. They tell us to reduce the deficit but not to cut spending. The signatories claim to support Romania and Romanians, but in reality they exploit people's hardships to gain political capital,' Bolojan stressed.

He added that while the Opposition has the right to criticise the Government, the way it approaches the defence of the country is dangerous.

'You opposed measures proposed to improve the healthcare system. You opposed measures to bring order to public finances and balance the budget. You opposed fiscal reform measures aimed at exposing shell companies and ensuring that foreign firms pay their fair share of taxes in Romania. You opposed reforms of regulatory institutions and reductions in posts on administrative boards. You opposed authorising the Romanian army to shoot down Russian drones entering our airspace. You are free to criticise the Government as much as you wish - that is the Opposition's right. But the way you relate to our country's defence is truly dangerous. Our first duty is the safety of Romanians,' Bolojan stated.

He described the title of the motion as undeserved.

'Finally, a few remarks about the title of this motion, a title that attempts to apply undeserved labels, one that the signatories use to divide an entire nation. The no-confidence motion is called 'Romania is not for sale,' aimed against a government that increased royalties for oil and gas extracted by OMV Petrom, transferring environmental costs of over half a billion euros from the state to the company. Yes, that does not mean selling the country, but obtaining what is rightfully due,' Bolojan said.

The prime minister concluded by emphasising that Romania today needs responsibility and must continue on the right path.

'Our country cannot afford an economic or political crisis. People expect maturity and honesty from us. Therefore, the only rational decision is to reject this no-confidence motion,' Bolojan added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)