EC Asks Romania For Different Candidates In European Commissioner Negotiations

Bostinaru said Romania was not explicitly told it will not receive the Agriculture portfolio, but the request implies it.

Bostinaru added the European Commission was disappointed in the way Basescu conducted portfolio negotiations.

"There is little chance Romania will receive the Agriculture portfolio, but negotiations are not over," people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

The sources also said Barroso also addressed a request for other three portfolio propositions to Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Cristian Diaconescu during the General Assembly of the UN in New York and to Basescu during a summit in Brussels preparing the G20 reunion in Pittsburg.

The sources added the propositions have not been sent to the European Commission yet.

The source said the European Commission hesitates to give Romania the Agriculture portfolio as the country did not manage effectively agriculture funds and the portfolio might be granted to Ireland for adopting the Lisbon Treaty.

Apart from the Agriculture portfolio, Romania opted for the Regional development and Transport portfolios.

The sources said Romania may also opt for the Enlargement portfolio which entails dealing with delicate matters, adding the country has to negotiate carefully to obtain it.

Basescu said on national television Romania will try to obtain the Agriculture portfolio in the European Commission, adding other options can be presented.

Democrat liberal Theodor Stolojan told MEDIAFAX late September Romania sticks to its option for the Agriculture portfolio, but talks are held for another option, namely the Enlargement portfolio.

Leaders of the ruling coalition approved back then Dacian Ciolos as candidate for the Agriculture portfolio, but the decision was not made official by the Government, whose structure changed meanwhile as the social democrats left the government coalition.

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