During the European Parliament’s debate on the entry of Ukrainian cereals to the European market, MEP Victor Negrescu criticised the European Commissioner for Agriculture, who is part of the Eurosceptic group, for the lack of solutions and called for additional funds for agriculture and rural areas.

“Romania was among the first European countries to create solidarity green lanes with Ukraine for grain exports to North Africa. But in the absence of European support mechanisms and a coherent strategy for frontline states, our farmers have been badly affected, especially by those who have taken advantage and speculated on the existing situation. Unfortunately, Commissioner, we have not heard of any long-term solution from you. This context shows us, in fact, that we need more support from the European Union for the rural areas and for farmers”, said Social Democrat MEP Victor Negrescu.

The Romanian representative in the European legislature said that Romanian Social Democrats support the need for more consistent financial aid from the European Union for rural areas.

“I call on the Commissioner to support increased financial allocations for rural areas and agriculture in the EU’s long-term budget review, to make sure that the money goes where it should and to show that he is genuinely concerned about the fate of the people living in these rural areas. Together with the Social Democratic Party and PES activists Romania, we are currently running the Romanian Villages with European Money campaign, through which, together with Romanian farmers, we draw the attention of European decision-makers to the needs of small communities”, added MEP Victor Negrescu.