Radio România Internațional

Tag: Angel Tîlvăr

  • Transition program towards F-35, launched

    Transition program towards F-35, launched

    The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.

     

    Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter jets is a key step in the ongoing modernization of the Romanian Armed Forces and will contribute significantly to the long-term defense of the NATO Alliance and our collective security. This is the message of the United States Ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, at the launch event of the Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft.

     

    The 32 F-35 aircraft for which the acquisition contract was signed by the Romanian and American governments is the top of aviation performance at present, says the Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr: ʺF-35 aircraft have stealth technology, advanced sensor and communications systems, unparalleled speed and maneuverability, which makes them vital for modern military operations. The unique technological capabilities of these aircraft allow them to act as a multiplier for both deterrence and air defense capabilities, including those based on the ground, and for indirect fire force support systems, which can be supported in real time with data from the space in which they operate.ʺ

     

    According to the minister, the allocation of 2% of the GDP for Defense since 2017, a percentage that has now reached 2.5%, has allowed the Romanian Army to begin the most extensive modernization process. And the advance – as stated by the US ambassador Kathleen Kavalec – is a significant one: the Romanian Air Force has switched from MiG aircraft to F-16 fighter jets, so that, from 2030, it will have state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft. The American diplomat recalled that the current security challenges are significant, and Romania, as a NATO ally on the eastern flank, has been directly affected by Russia’s war of aggression in the neighboring Ukraine.

     

    When needed, the Romanian Air Force and the Alliance have mobilized fighter jets, following the detection of airspace violations in southeastern Romania, near the border with Ukraine. Beyond the military impact, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the acquisition of the F-35 aircraft also has an economic impact: ʺBy integrating these aircraft into the Romanian Armed Forces, Romania has stimulated the development of the defense sector and will support the creation of jobs in key areas of the defense industry and technology. In addition, the integration of the F-35 into the National Defense System will offer new opportunities for training and professional development for our young specialists in the technological field.ʺ It is, therefore, an element that contributes to the development of a competent and well-trained workforce, the Prime Minister also said.

     

  • October 18, 2024 UPDATE

    October 18, 2024 UPDATE

    DEFENCE Romanian Defence Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, signed in Brussels on Friday a document on Romania’s accession to the letter of intent concerning the European Military Mobility Corridor 8 together with Albania, Bulgaria, Italy and North Macedonia. The document is aimed at simplifying and stepping up the movement of military equipment and forces both in time of peace and in situations of crisis or conflict. According to a communiqué by the Romanian Defence Ministry, Romania’s joining this corridor, besides the other two projects developed within NATO together with Bulgaria and Greece and with Turkey and Bulgaria, respectively, will contribute to the stepped up efforts aimed at ensuring the mobility of troops and military equipment as well as to the consolidation of the response capability in the Black Sea region. On Friday in the second day of the defence ministers meeting in Brussels, the Romanian minister participated in the North-Atlantic Council proceedings dedicated to the assessment and adjustment of NATO’s defence and deterrence posture. According to the same sources, the Romanian Defence Minister highlighted the importance of carrying on efforts aimed at stepping up the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture. The meeting has underlined the firm commitment of the NATO members to ensuring the region’s stability and security.

     

    PLAN The European Commission had published Romania’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan for the period 2025-2040, the Energy Ministry announced on Friday. The document comprises 89 policies and additional measures aimed at increasing renewable energy sources, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing some innovative solutions in all economic sectors. ‘This plan reflects our commitment to becoming climate neutral before 2045 and contributing to a safer, more competitive and greener future for Romania and Europe,’ Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja says in a communiqué.

     

    VOTE 3.3 million voters are expected to hit the polls on October 20 in the ex-Soviet, Romanian-speaking Republic of Moldova for a historic ballot: a presidential election and a referendum on Moldova’s EU accession. According to the Central Election Commission, some 2,219 polls have been set up, and for the first time the ballots are printed in Romanian and 5 minority languages: Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Găgăuz, Russian and Romani. 231 stations are open in 37 countries, 60 in Italy, 26 in Germany, 20 in France and 17 in Great Britain. Moldovans can also vote in one of the 16 stations open in Romania, the same as in the United States. For security reasons, only two stations will be available in Russia, both in Moscow. 2 stations will be made available in Ukraine, in Kyiv and Odessa.

     

    EU On the sidelines of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, has called on the EU to convey a strong message of support for Moldova’s EU integration process, particularly ahead of this Sunday’s presidential election in Moldova, condemning Moscow’s interference and destabilization attempts. The list of topics on the two-day summit’s agenda includes the war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, EU competitiveness, migration, as well as prospects on Georgia, supporting the multilateral system and international rules-based order and energy tariffs. President Iohannis underlined the importance of ensuring affordable energy prices, the need to boost connectivity and do away with structural gridlocks at the level of energy transport networks.

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  • August 15, 2024 UPDATE

    August 15, 2024 UPDATE

    DAY Speaking in Constanta (the biggest Romanian sea port) during the festivities staged on Navy Day, the country’s president Klaus Iohannis said that Romania is acknowledged and appreciated by allies as a solid pillar of regional security and a major contributor to the process of consolidating NATO’s deterrence posture on the eastern flank. Here on the Black Sea coast, close to the aggression war, Russia is waging on Ukraine, we are clearly seeing more than ever the political, diplomatic and military efforts of Bucharest in the past years, the president went on to say. Thanks to these, Romania is today benefitting from the most solid guarantees of security, and its citizens are defended and protected against any potential threats. Iohannis told the sailors that the devotion, tenacity and the spirit of sacrifice, which define them, are an example of excellence, and the Romanian Naval Forces are a symbol of the national strength and resilience. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also congratulated and thanked the sailors. ‘Many happy returns’ on this holy day of August 15th the day of St. Mary, the protector of sailors all over the world, Ciolacu wrote on a social network. On Thursday, 122 years since the first celebration of Navy Day, Romania’s Naval Forces staged a series of events, such as demonstrative exercises, exhibitions of armament and military equipment, interactive workshops, cultural activities and concerts of military music in the major cities on the Black Sea coast, on the Danube and even in capital city Bucharest.

     

    St. MARY Orthodox believers, who are a majority in Romania, and Catholics, on Thursday celebrated the Assumption of Mary, or St. Mary, an event which marks the Assumption into Heaven of Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. St. Mary is the most appreciated human being by Christians after the Holy Trinity, whom they frequently invoke in their prayers. St. Mary is the patron saint of the largest number of monasteries in Romania and pilgrims, in large numbers, took to these monasteries, which are renowned for their miracle-working icons and relics.

     

    WEATHER Romania’s Administration of Meteorology on Thursday issued a series of code red, yellow and orange alerts for extremely hot weather in most of the Romanian territory. Temperatures are expected to range between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius in seven counties in the west and south-west. Another orange alert has been issued for the counties in the north-west, center and south with a temperature-humidity index over 80 units. The lows of the day will not go below 18 degrees Celsius in most regions and  Bucharest is in for more hot days and tropical nights, with soaring temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists say that the heat wave presently affecting the country is going to be felt for the next several days in most of its territory.

     

    TALKS The Romanian Defence Minister, Angel Tîvăr, on Thursday held talks with Admiral Ercument Ratlioglu, commander of the Turkish Navy, during the latter’s visit in Romania. High on the talks agenda were security in the Black Sea region and opportunities of bilateral, regional and allied cooperation. According to a communiqué by Romania’s Ministry of Defence, Minister Tîlvăr appreciated the good cooperation between the Turkish and Romanian armed forces materialized in large-scale joint drills, air policing missions, naval operations and military presence in the multinational structures deployed on the territories of the two countries. The ‘Operative Group for Combating Mines in the Black Sea represents the outcome of the two countries’ joint efforts being also proof of the cohesion and solidarity of riparian countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. It’s imperative that we work in coordination for strengthening security at the Black Sea and the naval field is one of the main interest points,’ Minister Tîlvăr says.

     

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  • The Week in Review 10-16.06.2024

    The Week in Review 10-16.06.2024

    The outcome of the election for the local administration and the European Parliament in Romania

    The Social Democratic Party won with a significant majority the elections for the local administration and for the European Parliament held in Romania on June 9th. The Social-Democrats, known in Romania as PSD, won the battle for mayor offices, local and county councils and together with their liberal partner in the incumbent ruling coalition in Romania, has mustered roughly half of the MEP seats.  The PSD-PNL electoral alliance is followed at some distance by AUR and the United Right movement. One MEP mandate, out of the 33 Romania has been allotted, has been won by an independent. According to the Central Election Office, 19,870 polling stations were set up both in Romania and abroad and the turnout was slightly above 52% and the total number of votes stood at 9 million.

    915 polling stations were mounted abroad, where Romanians mainly voted for the PSD-PNL coalition, followed by the United Right, AUR and the SOS Romania Party.

    PSD ranked first in the election race for the mayor offices across the country, with 38% of the votes, followed by PNL and AUR. Independent candidate Nicusor Dan has been reelected for the position of mayor of Bucharest with almost half the votes. PSD got 35% in the local councils being followed by PNL, AUR and UDMR. In the meantime, the political parties started contouring their political strategies for the presidential election in September. PSD and PNL have announced they will each have a candidate in the upcoming election.

     

    Romania is backing the neighboring Ukraine

    Romania is supporting Ukraine, Romania is with NATO, Ukraine, and together with the other NATO allies as long as needed – Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said while co-chairing the B9 summit in Latvia on Tuesday. Iohannis pointed out that for Romania it is important that the Alliance’s deterrence posture be a strong one with an all-out defence capability. The Romanians want to be defended and they are defended by NATO, Iohannis said. Furthermore, the Romanian side highlighted the need for supporting the neighbouring Republic of Moldova. Moldova is NATO’s partner mostly affected by the war in Ukraine, the president went on to say, emphasizing the Black Sea region as vital for the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic space. The efforts made by Romania and the allies for supporting Ukraine are staunch and will carry on as long as needed, Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels on Thursday. Tilvar had a bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov, with whom he talked about the latest developments of the security situation in Ukraine and the Black Sea area. During the working meeting on assistance to Ukraine, the minister said that Bucharest’s efforts in supporting Kyiv had been recognized at the highest level.

    At the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Berlin on Tuesday, the head of the Romanian diplomacy, Luminiţa Odobescu, reiterated Romania’s commitment to getting actively involved in this process. The Romanian official reiterated the need for maintaining the international solidarity through concrete support actions for Ukraine. Odobescu also hailed Kyiv’s reform efforts under extremely difficult circumstances against the aggression war started by the Russian Federation. The minister also highlighted  Romania’s support for the official opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

     

    Statistical data about Romania’s economy

    In the first four months of this year Romania had a trade deficit (imports minus exports) over 9.3 billion Euros, 440 million higher than in the similar period last year, data released by the National Institute for Statistics (INS) shows.

    In the aforementioned period exports stood at 31.3 billion Euros while imports at over 40.6 According to the INS, in the first quarter of the year exports and imports mainly consisted of machinery and transport equipment as well as other manufactured goods. The intra-EU trade exchanges stood at roughly 73% of the total exports and imports. As for the inflation, the annual rate of the index plummeted last month to the lowest level of the past three years – a little over 5.1% from 5.9% in April. According to the INS, some food products, such as bakery items, vegetables, potatoes, oil and butter, as well as energy and gas have become cheaper. Other products such as footwear, furniture or detergents as well as services, especially air transportation, have become more expensive. We recall that Romania’s Central Bank has revised up the inflation forecast for the end of this year to 4.9% from 4.7% and estimates that it would reach 3.5% in late 2025.

     

    Extreme weather in Romania

    Torrential rain, hail and thunderstorms caused significant damage in several counties in southern and western Romania on Friday night, where code red and orange alerts had been issued. Extreme weather alerts were also issued for Bucharest and Ilfov county. Several roads and motorways have been blocked by the trees broken by the gale-force winds which have also damaged roofs, buildings and vehicles. The bad weather has also disrupted traffic on the Henri Coanda airport in Bucharest, where several flights had to be redirected. Alert messages were issued advising people to remain indoors in order to avoid the thunderstorms and the gale-force winds.

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  • The EU and the Black Sea

    The EU and the Black Sea

    “The EU’s strategic approach for the Black Sea region must also include support for the states in the region facing hybrid threats and the consequences of the aggression war Russia is presently waging on Ukraine”. The statement was made by Romania’s Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr, who on Monday met the interim chief of the European Commission Representation in Romania, Mara Roman.

    According to a communiqué of the field ministry, the European developments in the area of defence and the prospects of Bucharest in this context were high on the talks agenda of the two officials. Angel Tîlvăr and Mara Roman also tackled the EU’s role in supporting Romania’s two neighbours, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

    On this occasion, the Defence Minister highlighted the support Bucharest offered the two countries both in terms of their European integration efforts and in boosting resilience. The two also referred to the main initiatives and European instruments with relevance in the field of defence, such as the European Defence Fund, military mobility, the EU’s Defence Industry Strategy, namely the need for strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. “It is important that the European defence industry develop in a geographically-balanced manner, and the small and medium-size enterprises as well as the start-ups in the entire Europe be integrated in the industrial ecosystem” – Angel Tâlvăr said. According to him, the “EU-NATO cooperation on this issue for using the potential of the instruments the two institutions have at their disposal is essential.”

    According to the communiqué, the meeting between the two officials highlighted the ever increasing role played by the European Commission in supporting member states in terms of security and defence with emphasis on the need for carrying on the development of the synergic EU-NATO relations.

    In fact, at a specialized forum held last month in Bucharest, the head of the Romanian diplomacy, Luminita Odobescu said the Black Sea is essential from the viewpoint of security and connectivity for Europe and it is needed to be an open and free sea. “When we are thinking about the Black Sea, we are speaking about two key words, – security and connectivity” – Minister Odobescu went on to say.

    The official also pointed out that Romania contributes to the Black Sea security through national, bilateral actions, but also through projects and formats of regional cooperation as well as actions at the level of the EU and NATO. According to her, “reestablishing peace and security at the Black Sea is essential for the security of us all. The same idea has been repeatedly conveyed by the European officials, underlying the joint commitment to maintaining stability and security in this area of top strategic importance.

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  • HIMARS maintenance facility in Bacău

    HIMARS maintenance facility in Bacău

    The first maintenance facility for HIMARS systems in Europe was inaugurated in Bacău (northeast), with Minister of Defense Angel Tîlvăr attending the opening ceremony. Romania thus benefits from a strategic advantage by securing the maintenance of its own HIMARS systems, the Romanian official said. In addition, the new facility also has an impact on the economic development of the area, the Minister of Defense also said:

     

     

    “We have managed to have the best quality, state-of-the-art technological equipment and, last but not least, and I refer to the efforts to endow the Romanian Army, equipment to ensure our operational needs. I hail the fact that 2,000 people were given jobs here in Bacău. We had the opportunity to visit the places where they carry out their activity and, together with other colleagues part of our delegation, we believe these workplaces offer good work conditions. Last but not least, I appreciate the company’s concern for specialized education. Dual education has a place to flourish here, in Bacău, and that’s a very good thing”.

     

     

    In 2021, Romania became the first European country to use this type of system. HIMARS has proven its operational effectiveness in real conflicts, being tested during military operations, the Ministry of National Defense says. The facility in Bacău was developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, an American company that Romania also contracted for the maintenance of Romania’s Black Hawk gunships and F-16 aircraft. Angel Tîlvăr hailed the establishment of the center as an exceptional achievement, which puts Romania on the global map of maintenance facilities and logistic support for one of the best performing and most advanced artillery systems at present. Minister Tîlvăr reiterated his Ministry’s determination to connect the national defense industry to all the endowment programs it plans, both in terms of maintenance of cutting-edge equipment designed to equip the armed forces, and, above all, in terms of integrating production lines at national level to the largest possible share. Romania has procured three such systems. The first two were delivered in 2021 and 2023, with the third expected to arrive this year. HIMARS is a long-range multi-missile launcher operated by a three-man team – a driver, a gunner and a commander. Missile systems are mounted on vehicles with light armor protection. They are light enough to be transported by air, thus being ideally suited to changing warfare tactics. With remarkable strike accuracy, the system can launch GPS-guided missiles that can hit targets 80 km away. Moreover, HIMARS is capable of launching missiles weighing 1.7 tons with a maximum range of 310 km. (VP)

  • April 30, 2024 UPDATE

    April 30, 2024 UPDATE

    MIGRATION – Romania is ready to implement the pact on migration and asylum and has already taken steps in that direction, Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu said on Tuesday at the end of a migration conference hosted by Gent, Belgium. Romania launched an initiative to consolidate regional cooperation to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime, jointly with the European Commission and regional states such as Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. Ahead of this reform, Romania implemented a pilot program on the border with Serbia, showing that pre-emptive actions led to a 97% reduction in illegal migration flows.

     

     

    COOPERATION – Romania’s Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, says the significant presence of US troops in Romania is evidence of the United States’ determination to help consolidate security in the region. The Romanian official joined US Ambassador in Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, in attending the change of command ceremony at the Naval Support Facility in Deveselu (south). Minister Tîlvăr highlighted the major role of the US anti-ballistic missile system hosted by Romania for the NATO defense architecture, also marking a joint contribution of the United States and Romania to NATO defense efforts and facilitating protection against threats coming from outside Euro-Atlantic space.

     

     

    MINI-HOLIDAY – The Interior Ministry has taken additional measures to ensure public order and safety for Labor Day, when the summer season starts officially, and Orthodox Easter, celebrated on May 5th. Security forces will be primarily dispatched to the main roads, accompanied by air support, and in the proximity of churches. Measures were also taken together with the Bulgarian police to reduce waiting times on border checkpoints. Over 80,000 people are expected to spend their holidays at the seaside, where concerts and an electronic music festival are scheduled.

     

     

    TAROM – The European Commission on Monday approved Romania’s plans to provide restructuring aid for the Romanian state-owned airline TAROM to the amount of 95 million EUR, in keeping with EU norms on state aid, the Commission said in a statement. The measure is expected to help the company restore its feasibility in the long term. After the announcement, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said TAROM can become in the next two years an airline that can support its development on its own and that as the country’s prime minister, he has the duty to support “a Romanian national company with tradition”.

     

     

    FILM – Freedom by Tudor Giurgiu won the Gopo Trophy for best Romanian feature film at the Gopo Awards ceremony held on Monday in Bucharest. The film is inspired by true events that took place in Sibiu, in the center, during the anti-communist revolution of December 1989. The film also won the award for best director, best actor, which went to Alex Calangiu, best supporting role, which went to Iulian Postelnicu, and best script, which went to Cecilia Ştefănescu and Tudor Giurgiu, the latter to be shared with Radu Jude for Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World, which he also directed. Ilinca Manolache won the best actor award for her role in Jude’s film. Vlad Petri won the best documentary award for Between Revolutions, while the prize for best European production went to Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall. (VP)