Tag: B9 meeting

  • The Week in Review 16-20.09.2024

    The Week in Review 16-20.09.2024

    Aid for victims

     

    Like the authorities in several European states, the Romanian authorities have also been on alert this week, after the severe floods that hit eastern Romania. Refugee camps have been set up and rescue operations have been organized following the floods that killed seven people and destroyed thousands of homes. A crisis cell was organized at the Health Ministry to provide medical assistance to the residents of Galaţi and Vaslui counties, the most affected by the floods. The Interior and Defense Ministries have mobilized hundreds of firefighters, gendarmes, soldiers, as well as equipment to help evacuate the victims and intervene in the restoration of the infrastructure destroyed by the waters. Camps with capacities of hundreds of places were set up in the most affected localities. And the Romanian Red Cross launched a disaster relief campaign and sent trucks with water and food to the area. The Romanian Government also allocated food and water and approved the removal from state reserves of some modular buildings where children can learn. It also approved, in the special meeting on Monday, emergency aid for the affected families. The Romanian authorities continue to promise support for the affected population. And the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a 10-billion-Euro worth of aid from the EU Cohesion Fund for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, affected by floods.

     

    Supreme Council for National Defense meeting in Bucharest

     

    A meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) took place in Bucharest on Thursday. The war in neighboring Ukraine, the endowment of the Army in the next ten years, as well as the strengthening of the Strategic Partnership with the Republic of Moldova were among the main topics of discussion. The CSAT members stated that Romania is directly interested in having industrial capacities on its territory that can ensure both the production of modern military equipment for equipping the force structure in peacetime, as well as the development of new equipment for multiplying military capabilities in crisis or war situations. Given the recent developments in the neighboring country, the CSAT members discussed additional measures to deter and combat security threats, to be implemented at the national level, as well as with the support of NATO allies. On the other hand, Romania reiterated its support for Moldova’s European path by supporting the implementation of reforms and the necessary public policies.

     

    B9 meeting in Bucharest

     

    NATO must react to Russia’s incursions into the airspace of its member countries, in the context of the war in Ukraine, says the Romanian Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr. At the B9 meeting in Bucharest of the defense ministers from the allied states on NATO’s eastern flank, the Romanian official said that the security situation in the Black Sea region remains worrying due to the threats generated by the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation, including through disinformation and cyber-attacks.

    Angel Tîlvăr: “The B9 states are deeply concerned about the repeated incursions of the Russian Federation drones and missiles into the NATO airspace in Poland, Romania, Latvia, as well as about the escalation of tensions along NATO’s borders. That is why a robust and coordinated response at the allied level is necessary, as well as the implementation as soon as possible of the rotational model of NATO’s integrated air and anti-missile defense”.

    Also on Wednesday, in Bucharest, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked Romania to analyze the possibility of shooting down the Russian drones and missiles near the Romanian airspace. During the meeting with his counterpart Luminiţa Odobescu, he appreciated the support for the defense of Ukraine’s independence through Romania’s decision to donate a Patriot system. The Romanian FM reaffirmed Romania’s full support for the defense of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

     

    Roxana Mânzatu, vice-president of the European Commission

     

    Romania has, for the first time, a position of vice-president of the European Commission, which will be occupied by the social-democratic MEP Roxana Mînzatu, a former minister of investments and European projects in Bucharest. The announcement was made by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who presented, on Tuesday, the makeup of the new EC. Roxana Mînzatu will also hold, in Brussels, the position of commissioner for Skills and Education, Jobs, Social Rights and Demography. She declared that the field received by Romania, in this case the labor market, is essential for the competitiveness of the EU. After the nomination, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has said that, in this way, Romania becomes part of decision-making in the European Union.

     

    National plan for large industry

     

    The governing coalition in Bucharest decided on Tuesday to complete as quickly as possible the support scheme for the large strategic investments in the manufacturing industry and in metallurgy, steel and the chemical industry. According to Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the plan has three main components: a state aid of 500 million Euros and tax facilities for investments of over 150 million Euros, another state aid of one billion Euros for six years for the decarbonization of production processes and energy efficiency and a third aid of about 250 million Euros for 15 companies that implement investments in the production of industrial raw materials.

     

    Partnership for the prevention of child trafficking

     

    The Romanian and American governments have signed a framework partnership in the field of child protection, intended to unfold over a period of five years. The US Ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, has given assurances that the United States will support Romania in its efforts to develop a victim-centered prevention strategy, to increase protection for children who are victims of trafficking and to improve its investigations. In turn, the Romanian Interior Minister, Cătălin Predoiu, has said that the signing of the partnership is a continuation of other collaborations and shows the determination of the Romanian authorities to combat child abuse in any form. Romania is the first country in Europe that will benefit from American financial support worth 10 million dollars for the improvement of the national system for preventing and combating child trafficking. (LS)

  • June 6, 2023 UPDATE

    June 6, 2023 UPDATE

    STRIKE – The teachers’ strike has entered its
    third week, while national evaluation exams and the baccalaureate are due to
    begin, involving 325,000 8th and 12th year graduates. The
    government says it has met all of the protesters’ demands, while the latter’s
    trade unions say the government’s latest offer does not meet their
    expectations. Education minister Ligia Deca has called on teachers to return to
    classrooms and explained that following the pay rise offered by the government,
    the average salary in education would reach a gross sum of 1,700 euros. The
    representatives of the education ministry, pupils, parents and trade unions met
    on Tuesday to find solutions with regard to holding exams at the scheduled
    dates. Education Minister Ligia Deca says there are no plans yet for
    rescheduling exams or extending the school year.


    B9 – The leaders of Bucharest 9 countries met
    in Bratislava and issued a joint statement expressing their support for
    Ukraine’s NATO accession, once circumstances allow it. Ukraine is an
    integral part of the Euro-Atlantic community and its security is intertwined
    with that of the Allies. We strongly support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic
    aspirations and reiterate the Bucharest 2008 decision that Ukraine will become
    a member of NATO, the document signed by the leaders of Bulgaria, the Czech
    Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary
    reads. The shared vision of B9 states is key to ensuring security on NATO’s
    eastern flank, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis said. The Romanian official
    also called for consolidating support for NATO’s vulnerable partners, in
    particular the Republic of Moldova, with a view to consolidating this country’s
    defense capabilities. Klaus Iohannis presided the meeting alongside the
    presidents of Slovakia and Poland, Zuzana Čaputová and Andrzej Duda,
    respectively. Also attending the meeting in Bratislava was NATO Secretary General
    Jens Stoltenberg.


    EXPLOSION – The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam
    is another war crime Russia has committed against innocent civilians,
    president Klaus Iohannis tweeted shortly after the explosion. Russia and
    Russian aggressors must be held accountable. Our thoughts go out to all those
    affected by this terrible attack, the Romanian president added. Earlier, NATO
    Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed outrage at the attack, which, he
    argues, proves once again the brutality of Russia’s war. The Ukrainian army
    accused Russia of blowing up the dam at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant,
    located some 150 km from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Still, the
    Russian crew in charge of the NPP stated the partial destruction of the dam,
    which served in cooling the station, poses no threat to the installation for
    the time being. We recall the dam had been occupied by the Russians at the
    start of their invasion of Ukraine. Built on the Dnieper in 1956, the dam is
    one of the largest of its kind in Ukraine.


    EXERCISE – 5,000 Romanian and 2,700 American military,
    as well as 2,300 servicemen and officers from other allied and partner nations
    are taking part in the biggest NATO exercise in Romania, in the Black Sea
    region, entitled Saber Guardian 23. The exercise is meant to ensure better
    collaboration between the troops in the event of rapid intervention missions.
    Exercises include wet gap crossings of the Danube river, parachute jumps and
    drills specific to infantry and artillery attacks. This exercise is more
    important than ever. The changes the Russian aggression in Ukraine has brought
    to the security framework confirm the fact that the Black Sea is now critical
    to Europe’s security. The strategic importance of the Black Sea has increased
    exponentially, Romania’s Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr says. The Saber
    Guardian exercise is part of the Defender Europe 23, a U.S. European Command directed
    multinational exercise. (CM & VP)

  • March 31, 2023 UPDATE

    March 31, 2023 UPDATE

    DEFENCE – The strategic
    partnership between the US and Romania has never been stronger, said the US
    secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, during the talks with his Romanian
    counterpart Angel Tîlvăr in Washington on Thursday. According to a news release
    from the Pentagon, the US official praised the excellent relations between the
    two countries’ armed forces and thanked Romania for hosting thousands of US and
    Allied troops to bolster deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank, and for its role
    as a leader in the Black Sea region. The two officials condemned Russia’s
    reckless war of choice in Ukraine and reiterated their firm support for
    Ukraine. The Romanian defense minister is on a visit to the US for several
    days, and has meetings scheduled with senior US officials in the following
    days.




    GREEN DEAL – The involvement of
    Romania and the EU in combating climate change, environment education as well
    as the consequences of the war in Ukraine ranked high on Friday’s agenda for
    talks between Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, and European Commission
    vice-president, Frans Timmermans, the EU official in charge of the European
    Green Deal. President Iohannis spoke of the need to maintain support for
    Ukraine as well as for the Republic of Moldova for as long as it’s necessary.
    Frans Timmermans also met with Environment Minister Tánczos Barna. The meeting focused on European programs that
    should receive financial support similar to the one provided by the Social
    Climate Fund. Minister Barna pointed out that everyone affected by the
    reduction in carbon-gas emissions should be compensated to make these changes
    acceptable.




    MEETING – Romania’s Prime
    Minister, Nicolae Ciucă, on Friday met in Stockholm his Swedish counterpart,
    Ulf Kirstersson. This is the first visit paid to this country by a Romanian
    Prime Minister in the last 20 years. The two discussed the priorities of the
    Swedish presidency of the Council of the EU, namely a greener, safer and freer
    Europe, as well as the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine. Prime Minister
    Kristersson recently said Ukraine is the top priority for all, and that Kyiv’s
    victory is essential for Europe and the whole world. Swedish wants to continue
    to provide economic, political, humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.
    Romania’s Prime Minister outlined the Romanian authorities’ effort to support
    Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees at multiple levels. At the end of February, 109
    thousand Ukrainians still resided in Romania, out of the total of 3 million
    that transited our country. Ukrainian refugees benefit from free medical,
    social and education services and can access the labor market. Romania has
    fulfilled Schengen accession criteria, the Swedish Prime Minister also told the
    joint press briefing.




    B9 – Romania’s Foreign
    Minister on Friday attended the meeting of B9 Foreign Ministers hosted by Łódź,
    Poland. The Romanian official warned that the Russian threat affects NATO
    security on the eastern flank, which requires a unitary vision at NATO level to
    ensure proper deterrence and collective defense. In this sense, Minister
    Aurescu pointed out that the consolidating of Allied military forces on the
    Eastern flank is key. Minister Aurescu said a strong defense will also generate
    strong deterrence, which is the only message that Russia understands. In this
    context, the Romanian official argued in favor of continuing to provide robust
    support to Ukraine and for the consolidation of the strategic resilience of
    neighboring states, particularly those that are the most vulnerable to Russia’s
    pressure, namely the Republic of Moldova but also Georgia, with a view to
    ensuring peace and stability in the Black Sea region.




    VISIT – Germany’s
    chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Romania on April 3 to meet Romania’s
    president, Klaus Iohannis, the German Embassy in Bucharest has announced. Talks
    will focus on bilateral relations and European security and energy policies.
    Olaf Scholz will later meet with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă. During the
    second part of his visit, Chancellor Scholz and president Iohannis will hold a
    joint meeting with the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. This
    meeting will tackle support for the Republic of Moldova. Chancellor Olaf Scholz
    is also expected to meet with the Romanian Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Marcel
    Ciolacu, as well as with representatives of the German community in Romania. (AMP
    & VP)