On a long term, for at least 10 to 15 years, the Parliament will have to decide the royalty scheme for the energy system and what kind of exploitation may or may not be carried out in Romania, no matter what the Government proposes, Prime Minister Victor Ponta told the MPs.

“We’ll present you with legislative and strategic measures related to environment, water, forests, and I want to say directly: the Parliament has to decide on a long term, regardless of what the Government proposes, what is the royalty system for the next 10 to 15 years. The Parliament will also have to decide, for at least 10-15 years, what kind of exploitation may or may not be carried out in Romania. I believe that the discussions on the exploitation of gold deposits, shale gas, must receive a definitive answer in the Parliament,” Ponta said, cited by local Mediafax.

He added that the Parliament must ensure the country’s energy independence and its competitiveness compared to other states.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com