Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning!

It is an honor to be here with you today. As the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, I believe we have many topics to discuss that are of shared interest.

Before I start, I would like to congratulate the new president, Mr. Nicusor Dan, the new prime minister Mr. Ilie Bolojan, the new minister of environment Ms. Diana-Anda Buzoianu, and the new government.

This is my first visit to Romania as commissioner – a beginning of new things to come. Im sure this morning meeting will be a good start!

We are living in challenging times. From armed conflict at our borders to an international economic rollercoaster and the fast rise of climate extremes, we are navigating a period of unprecedented transformation.

We must adapt while remaining a reference of stability and trust for global markets and business partners, and most importantly, for our citizens.

This adaptability is a strength of the European project. Weve seen it during COVID and we see it with the war in Ukraine. Through unity, ambition, and courage, we can achieve the unthinkable. Now we need that same spirit to drive our economic transformation in a way that benefits the environment and climate, our social fabric, and our companies alike.

I believe we have already established a solid policy framework—first with the Green Deal, now with the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal. Earlier this month, we introduced the Water Resilience Strategy, aimed at alleviating current water stress and creating a water-smart economy. However, establishing this framework is just the first step; we must work together to create the necessary changes for a better future for the coming generations.

This means effective implementation leading to tangible results on the ground. To be effective, it must be simple. That’s why this Commission targets a 25% overall reduction in reporting burdens, and a 35% reduction specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Simplification does not mean deregulation. Our policies exist for good reason.

We want to make compliance easier for people and businesses. I understand our rules can be burdensome, especially for smaller national administrations.

We rely heavily on Member States to assist us in this process, and as the National Parliament, you play a crucial role.

Now, let me outline the main issues we are currently working on, where your involvement is essential.

Faced with high energy costs and fierce global competition, our industries urgently need support. The Commission has presented the Clean Industrial Deal for this purpose.

The Clean Industrial Deal supports the competitiveness and resilience of our industries while aligning with our decarbonisation goals. This deal is vital for safeguarding manufacturing in Europe and ensuring our companies thrive amid global competition.

We need to act swiftly and with determination. We cannot lag behind other large economies, as this would only heighten our dependencies. We must strengthen our strategic autonomy, and the most effective—perhaps the only—way to achieve that is by transitioning to a truly circular economy.

While we often refer to the Letta and Draghi reports regarding the circular economy, the EU has been working on this for at least three decades. However, it is still not the dominant economic model despite its benefits.

To facilitate this transition, we will adopt the Circular Economy Act by the end of 2026. It will create market demand for secondary materials and establish a single market for waste, focusing on critical raw materials.

We must become adept at recycling our waste, reducing dependencies, and retaining value within the EU production chain. We will need to address issues like pricing discrepancies with virgin raw materials. We need to secure a future for the European recycling industry.

This act will also simplify reporting obligations and harmonise EU rules, reducing administrative burdens and facilitating the movement of secondary raw materials.

The next critical topic is water. Clean freshwater is a strategic resource. We need it to live and to produce food. Clean freshwater is also essential for our industrial and digital competitiveness. Every economic sector relies on it in one way or another, whether it’s for cooling power plants or data centers.

However, our waters are not in good condition. Only a third of surface water bodies in the EU meet good ecological standards. This is a wake-up call for all of us. We must act decisively to protect our water supply and avoid catastrophic costs.

Recently, we adopted our Water Resilience Strategy, aiming to integrate water efficiency and circularity across EU sectoral policies, enhancing innovation in the water industry. This strategy addresses water scarcity, pollution, and climate change impacts, ensuring sustainable water management and resilience.

Water is often viewed as an infinite, cost-free resource, but climate change exacerbates the situation. Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, with growing concerns about water scarcity in agriculture, navigation, and energy. In Romania, analyses indicate that 9 out of 10 rivers are projected to have decreased flow rates.

Climate change also results in more frequent and intense floods, affecting all parts of Europe. Your beautiful country has faced significant damage, including to the iconic Praid salt mine.

Today, I will address the Regional Water Forum “Danube – Eastern Europe” 2025, meet with the Interministerial Water-Sewerage Working Group, and participate in a regional roundtable on water challenges. The message is clear: Water is a shared resource and responsibility. With over 30 actions in our new strategy, I look forward to enhancing cooperation with member states to make Europe truly water-resilient.

Another vital and growing sector in Europe is the bioeconomy, encompassing traditional sectors like agriculture and forestry, as well as innovative products such as biochemicals, bioplastics, and other biomass-based alternatives to our fossil fuel-dependent economy.

To fully harness its potential, we need a comprehensive and supportive policy framework. We are preparing a new EU Bioeconomy Strategy to be presented by the end of 2025.

This strategy will foster investments in technologies and sectors that can scale up the bioeconomy, ensuring circularity and reducing environmental pressures. It will promote sustainable biomass use, maximising food and agricultural waste and by-products, and support innovation and investment in bio-based materials and industries.

As I mentioned regarding agriculture, it is a strategic sector for the EU. We aim to future-proof this sector and create opportunities for farmers to earn fair incomes by transitioning to sustainable practices. Farmers are part of the solution!

However, we cannot overlook our planetary boundaries, as neglecting them jeopardizes the future of farming. We have outlined this in the Vision for Food and Agriculture. Agriculture and nature must coexist harmoniously.

The Vision emphasises the need for improved nutrient management at the farm level and increased nutrient circularity, prioritising nutrient pollution hotspots. I am pleased to collaborate with Christophe Hansen on these issues.

We also recognise that transitioning from conventional to sustainable farming practices, much like sustainable forestry, faces challenges due to uncertainty and upfront costs. The benefits are clear, particularly in terms of farm productivity and income, but we work within natural cycles that cannot be expedited. Agricultural subsidies will therefore remain necessary and justified.

Unfortunately, we are in an era of intense competition for public funding, so we must seek private investment as well. The good news is that many businesses and investors are willing to support ecosystem services provided by our farming and forestry sectors. However, there is no straightforward method to value those services or sell them in a marketable format.

This is why the Commission is exploring the potential of nature credits. They can help companies achieve their nature-positive goals, reduce risks for businesses needing insurance, and generate additional income for those making measurable contributions to biodiversity.

Your engagement is invaluable.

Together, we bear the responsibility and power to ensure that Europe effectively navigates today’s challenges while securing a vibrant future.

Thank you for your dedication, cooperation, and unwavering commitment to a sustainable Europe.

Our journey continues—with responsibility, ambition, and determination.

The meeting this morning is brief—I know—but very much appreciated, and I look forward to hearing your comments and questions.