Several environmental organisations have launched an attack against me, Environment Minister Mircea Fechet and our colleagues from the two ministries in recent days, but all the pressures, threats and negative campaigns do not intimidate us, but motivate us, says Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.
„In recent days, several environmental organisations have launched an attack against me, Environment Minister Mircea Fechet and our colleagues in the two ministries. It is not the first, it will not be the last. The novelty is that they are based on information „on sources” that I allegedly notified the criminal prosecution authorities about the actions of several NGOs that have been sabotaging energy projects for years. Systematically and with a lot of money involved, with well-paid lawyers and aggressive campaigns. In whose interest? And on whose money? I can neither confirm nor deny having filed a criminal complaint, because that is the law, but nothing can stop me from telling the truth. (…) We respect and support the role of civil society and all good-faith endeavors. But we can never accept actions contrary to the interest of Romanians, serving the interests of those who want to harm us. Those who break the law must be held accountable. All pressures, threats and negative campaigns do not intimidate us, they motivate us. And truth and justice always win, sooner or later. Romania must be independent and secure in and through its energy sector, without ever depending on those who have used energy, for decades, as a blackmail weapon,” Burduja wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.
He points out that Romania has so far invested 4.63 billion lei in hydropower plants that had been blocked for years: Rastolita (90% completed), Surduc-Siriu (89% completed), Cornetu-Avrig (95% completed), Pascani (75% completed), etc.
„In total, over 300 MW of new power for the national energy grid, plus all the benefits associated with these investments, especially protection against the effects of flooding. What environmental effects can we be talking about related to investments that are so close to completion?,” said Burduja.
He also mentioned the 4-billion-euro Neptun Deep strategic project in the Black Sea, which will double Romania’s gas production, generate development and jobs and massively reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas.
„What do all these investments have in common? They are being attacked and blocked every step of the way, at every procedure, at every agreement/approval or ministerial order, by several organisations. With these investments, Romania’s energy would have been safer and cheaper today. We would have had thousands of new jobs and a more competitive industry. But I promise you that we will not give up until we complete these investments. They are not „Ceausescu’s” projects, as some say. They are projects that we want to leave as a legacy to future generations, for an energy independent, strong Romania, free from influence from the East,” the Energy minister said.
AGERPRES
