Barna Tánczos, the Minister of Environment, Waters, and Forests, had a bilateral meeting with Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of the European Commission. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests, and was also attended by the State Secretary from the Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests, Ionuț-Sorin Banciu.

The topics discussed focused on the European Green Deal, the regulation on nature restoration, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, the importance of energy efficiency in buildings, and other environmental protection subjects in Romania.

"We discussed European programs that need to be financially supported, following the model of the Social Climate Fund, which supports those who will be affected by these carbon emission reductions, so that prices remain affordable and the cost of these transformations is manageable for citizens. The costs need to be shared equitably among all the stakeholders, taking into account the specificities of each country. We must not put unjustified pressure on the final consumer, on European citizens, on Romanian citizens," added the Romanian Minister of Environment, Waters, and Forests.

On the sidelines of today's meeting, the Minister of Environment, Waters, and Forests emphasized, "We discussed carbon emissions, the reduction targets for these emissions and greenhouse gases, the new European policies in the field of the environment, nature restoration, biodiversity, and water protection. An interesting discussion focused on energy efficiency in construction and buildings, and we agreed that new technologies need to be financially supported by the Commission, and member states can provide very effective solutions for reducing carbon emissions, so that energy efficiency can be achieved through the implementation of these technologies."

Furthermore, the Romanian official mentioned the program dedicated to the installation of photovoltaic panels, carried out by the Environmental Fund Administration, and stressed the need for continued massive investments in energy efficiency.

Discussions also revolved around the new climate and environmental policies in Europe, which will affect the agriculture of member states, and the need for support from the European Commission for farmers.

"We had an extremely productive discussion and agreed on a formula that will regulate pesticide reductions, taking into account the national specificity. In this way, Romanian farmers will be able to implement European rules without being affected by them. It is one of the most important commitments of the Commission that the calculation formula will consider the particularities of our country," said Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of the European Commission.

Frans Timmermans highlighted the importance of investments in energy efficiency and the need to establish firm thresholds for pesticide use: "Investments in the energy efficiency of buildings, the use of smart technology to reduce energy consumption and pollution are measures that benefit people. Moreover, regarding the agricultural sector, we are all aware that the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers is dangerous. We need to find an optimal formula to reduce their use in order to minimize their impact on the soil. Farmers must also understand that excessive pesticide use harms the soil and their future. In this regard, we are working on a legislative package that will encompass all these aspects."

Furthermore, State Secretary Ionuț-Sorin Banciu presented Romania's efforts to combat illegal logging and inventory degraded forest habitats in our country, in the context of the new European regulation on nature restoration.