Independent Member of the European Parliament Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI) spoke during the debate on the importance of trans-European transport infrastructure in times of economic stagnation and major threats to Europe’s security, asking whether it is normal to consider so many investments that, in principle, would overlap? Or what should be the priority, ultimately? What should we do first: buy supplies, arm ourselves, build road and rail networks? Or what should we do in concrete terms?

Below is the full text of the questions and the speech delivered by Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI), an independent member of the European Parliament, during the debates on April 2:

„Mr. President, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, I am glad to see you again.

I would like to ask you a few questions, but I fear you will not answer me, as is always the case with the Commission. However, I would like to say a few things. It is interesting that we have always mentioned that Romania has not been developed in all these years, in the 17 years since it joined the European Union, in terms of rail and road infrastructure. But now we have seen Mr. Draghi and his report, which states that he wants 800 billion to make Europe competitive again.

Ms. Ursula von der Leyen also came and explained to us that she also wants 800 billion to arm herself. Now we have seen that you want 850 billion to invest in the TEN-T network so that everything will be fine and, finally, there will be interconnectivity between our capitals in Europe.

However, now the European Commission has also come forward to suggest that 450 million people should prepare for war and stock up on supplies for three days – another billion. The question is whether you consider such investments, which in principle would overlap, to be normal? Or what would be the priority, ultimately? What should we do first: buy supplies, arm ourselves, build road and rail networks? Or what should we do specifically? I would be happy if you just built the railway network…

(The President cut off the speaker.)

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