Romanian Salaries Could Match Italy’s In 3-4 Years – President

“In three to four years, the salaries back home (in Romania – e.n.) might be close to the ones here (in Italy),” Basescu told some 500 Romanian nationals who attended a religious ceremony at the new building of Romanian Orthodox Bishopry near Italian capital city of Rome.

“Romania will need you then, just like it now needs the money you send home (…). During my second mandate, I will wait for you to come home,” Basescu told the crowd.

He said Romania’s economy registered growth for the eight year in a row, with the latest data showing a 9.3% growth of the GDP.

 “The moment is near when Romania’s economic growth engine will slow down or even stop, unless we have the resources to cover workforce demand,” the head of state mentioned.

Basescu said the money sent by the Romanians working abroad helps maintaining a good economic balance and, in the absence of those funds, the authorities in Bucharest would have to borrow money to cover the difference between imports and exports.

 “Romania respects everything you do here, and so does the Italian state,” Basescu mentioned.

In a few years, however, Romania will benefit more if its nationals working abroad will return to the country, Basescu said.

Basescu is on a three-day visit to Italy. The Romanian head of state had talks on Friday with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on the conflict in Georgia and the situation of Romanians living in Italy.