The Government is preparing a project for Romania's next 20 years in the European Union, with young people at its heart, Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said on Thursday, adding that the initiative is intended to be promoted jointly with other EU member states.

'We have had a week with an intensive European agenda. The visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was an important moment for Romania. We discussed security needs in the Black Sea region and European support, including 50 million euros for the Black Sea security hub. We also discussed European funds and the implementation of the PNRR [National Recovery and Resilience Plan]. We had a very good discussion at the end of last week with European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu, while yesterday we also held a meeting with the ambassadors of EU member states, organised by the Embassy of Ireland, the country currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. We had a very open discussion about the Government's priorities, Romania's development and investment and cooperation opportunities with our European partners. Romania remains deeply committed to Europe. This was the message I conveyed from the very beginning of the meeting and we are preparing a project for Romania's next 20 years in the European Union,' Niculescu said at the beginning of the Government's weekly meeting.

He said that in less than a month and a half Romania would mark 20 years since joining the European Union.

'We are preparing a project in which young people will play a central role. As you know, Romania has one of the highest rates in the EU of young people who are neither in education nor in employment. Behind the statistics, as always, there are people, many young people, some from vulnerable backgrounds who do not have the opportunity to continue their studies, learn a trade or find a job. We cannot afford to lose a generation of young people. That is why, under this Government, we want to develop a national programme to reach these young people and help them return to education, gain qualifications and find employment. I have already called for a coordinated approach involving the ministries concerned, because this is not just an issue for the Ministry of Labour or the Ministry of Education. It is the responsibility of the entire Government,' the Prime Minister stressed.

According to him, the project is to be put forward jointly with other member states facing similar challenges. 'Following the discussions we had with both President von der Leyen and Vice-President Minzatu, we want to take this initiative to European level, together with other member states facing similar challenges, in order to mobilise more European resources and funding. This is an investment in the future of these young people, but also in the economic future of Romania and Europe,' Luca Niculescu said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)