Bucharest, Oct 20 /Agerpres/ - President of the Socialist International and former Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou said on Monday that Romania is an example of success in the Balkans and in the EU, adding that the Government in Bucharest can be an inspiration for other countries in the region.

Despite the challenges facing Europe and the Balkans, there are some positive examples too. Romania is a success story, one of the countries that witnesses growth. (...) It had an impressive economic growth track in the past two years, which is why I congratulate my good friend Victor Ponta. A young politician, the youngest Prime Minister of Romania - as far as I understand - and very likely, soon, Romania's youngest President. Victor is very proud of his country and of his people, he is a man who understands that the new political and economic circumstances require stepping out of the boundaries of dogmatism, and has the courage to take the necessary steps for implementing a vision of growth and prosperity. According to the latest growth figures, in the first quarter of the year Romania had the fastest economic growth in the EU. In the first three months of the year the GDP increased far above expectations, by 3.9 percent, and this follows a 3.5 percent increase in 2013. Economically and fiscally responsible policies and the persistence in building a fair society, so to speak, are the prerequisites for fiscal success, the former Prime Minister of Greece told the EU-South East Europe Summit titled "On the road to stability and growth" organized by The Economist, and having AGERPRES as a media partner.

Papandreou added that the countries in the region can learn from Romania's example.

You can inspire other countries in defending a type of agriculture that can be highly competitive and also very important for food safety and for health, through organic food and crops, said the former Prime Minister of Greece.

He noted as a positive measure taken by the Romanian Government the rise in the minimum wage that also stimulated domestic consumption. George Papandreou highlighted a few key factors for stability and growth in South-East Europe, stressing that the dynamics of the EU integration of Balkan countries needs to be maintained.

We cannot close the door to Turkey, we must further encourage Moldova and Georgia and Ukraine. The perspective is that they have human rights, peace, prosperity, rule of law and so on guaranteed, the former Greek Prime Minister said.

Papandreou added that the EU enlargement by integrating the Balkan states will have huge positive effects on bilateral and regional relations. He gave the example of the Greece-Romania relationship, stating that there are currently 5,000 Greek companies in Romania that helped create 35,000 jobs.

George Papandreou added that efforts need to be continued in the Balkan area to promote peace, dialogue and understanding, amid the recrudescence of populist and xenophobic trends. AGERPRES