The Romanian Central Bank Governor, Mugur Isarescu, declared on Thursday that Romania must respect the calendar it assumed for joining the European currency zone, the target being in 2014.

During a ceremony in which he received the Doctor Honoris Causa of the "Babes-Bolyai" University, Isarescu said that the Euro zone joining timeline is the best guide. "Romania must maintain the timeline it announced. Joining the exchange rates mechanism in 2012 and passing two years inside the system is a step that depends on the amount of reforms we manage to conduct", said Isarescu.

The official added that the joining of the Euro zone is more a matter of power, than one of will and asked rhetorically "how can a country unable to build a highway be prepared to join the Euro zone?". The Romanian Central Bank Governor, Mugur Isarescu, declared on Thursday that Romania must respect the calendar it assumed for joining the European currency zone, the target being in 2014.

During a ceremony in which he received the Doctor Honoris Causa of the "Babes-Bolyai" University, Isarescu said that the Euro zone joining timeline is the best guide. "Romania must maintain the timeline it announced. Joining the exchange rates mechanism in 2012 and passing two years inside the system is a step that depends on the amount of reforms we manage to conduct", said Isarescu.

The official added that the joining of the Euro zone is more a matter of power, than one of will and asked rhetorically "how can a country unable to build a highway be prepared to join the Euro zone?".