Radio România Internațional

Tag: Black Sea

January 31, 2017

BUDGET — Romanias Higher Defense Council was called into session by President Klaus Iohannis to analyze the draft budget for national security institutions for 2017. The head of state pointed out that the new governments plan to slash national security funding is a grievous error, affecting the safety of citizens. The PM said that the executive has supporting arguments for the budget as it stands. Right after the councils meeting, the government is set to meet in order to pass the budget, while the leadership of the two chambers of Parliament will schedule a meeting to set the calendar for debate. This is the first Higher Defense Council meeting under the Grindeanu cabinet.

CORRUPTION — The highest court in Bucharest could issue today a sentence in the prosecution of former Liberal MP Ludovic Orban, who is accused of demanding money from a businessman to finance his campaign, run last summer. The National Anti-Corruption Directorate is seeking a jail sentence, claiming Orban used his political position to obtain campaign funding. The politician said he was innocent, and filed for a dismissal. Magistrates with the High Court of Cassation and Justice have delayed the first court hearing in the case of Social Democratic Party chairman Liviu Dragnea, who stands accused of conspiracy to commit abuse of office. Prosecutors claim that Dragnea ordered two members of his party to be hired in state jobs with the office of social protection in his home county of Teleorman. Last year, Dragnea was given a suspended sentence, two years in prison, for attempting to rig the 2012 referendum to depose then president Traian Basescu.

NAVY — Romanian frigate the King Ferdinand heads maneuvers in the east of the Black Sea, attended on Wednesday by over 2,800 seamen from NATO member countries. The exercise Sea Shield is the first of 50 large scale navy exercises planned by NATO this year. Attending the exercise are 16 ships, one submarine, and 10 Romanian and allied aircraft. Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, head of the Allied Maritime Command, will be attending the maneuvers in Constanta, the largest Romanian port on the Black Sea. At the same time, it was announced in London that one of the most important Royal Navy ships will have its first operating mission in the Black Sea since the Cold War. Allied maneuvers in the Black Sea take place almost three years since Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula.

ECONOMY — In January, confidence in the Eurozone reached its highest level in the last six years, as announced by the European Commission, according to Bloomberg. The index indicating consumer and business confidence went up from 107.8 to 108.2 in December, more than anticipated by Bloomberg expert estimates. The report states that confidence in industry and services went up in January, while confidence in retail and construction went down. This increase in economic confidence is added to further data suggesting that the Eurozone economy has accelerated in the last months of 2016. Many economists estimate that the Eurozone economy had in the fourth quarter a growth 0.5% higher than the same quarter the previous year, with a 0.3% higher growth in the third quarter.

TAXES — The newest provisions introduced into the Fiscal Code come into effect on February 1st in Romania. They were put into law by emergency executive order. They eliminate 102 charges and fees, the most well known being the radio and television fee and the tax on registering automobiles. Also in February, Romanians earning the minimum wage, almost 1.6 million citizens, will get increased salaries. Local public authority employees will get a 20% raise. A number of further measures come into effect on 1 February, such as eliminating the ceiling for social and health contributions and taxation for real estate deals worth under 100,000 Euro.

(Translated by Calin Cotoiu)

31 January 2017
NATO strengthens its eastern flank

“Several nations indicated their willingness to contribute to our presence in the Black Sea region, on land, at sea and in the air, including Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and the United States, said the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

He also hailed the contribution of NATO member states to the four battalions the Alliance will deploy in 2017 in the three Baltic states and Poland, amid growing tensions with Moscow. The decision regarding the gradual deployment to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland of the four battalions, each of approximately 1,000 military, was taken at the latest NATO summit held in Warsaw in July and forms part of a number of measures intended to allay the fears of Russias neighbouring states who feel more vulnerable because of the Ukrainian conflict and Russias annexation of Crimea in March 2014.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: “I am proud to announce that many other Allies confirmed contributions to these forces today. Albania, Italy, Poland and Slovenia will contribute to the Canadian-led battalion in Latvia. Belgium, Croatia, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Norway will join the German-led battalion in Lithuania. Denmark and France will contribute to the UK-led battalion in Estonia. And Romania and the United Kingdom will join the US-led battalion in Poland.

Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that NATO does not seek confrontation with Russia, but that what it does is defensive.

On the sidelines of the NATO defence ministers meeting, the Romanian defence minister Mihnea Motoc had talks with the British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. The two officials reiterated their countries commitment to a NATO advanced presence on the eastern flank as a central element of the consolidation of the allied defence and deterrence posture. Michael Fallon highlighted the intensification of joint training activities through the deployment next year of British forces and land, air and sea capabilities on Romanian territory and at the Black Sea. The British authorities have decided to deploy RAF Typhoon fighters to Romania in 2017 to carry out air police missions and take part in training activities together with the Romanian Air Force. (Translated by C. Mateescu)

27 October 2016
NATO and Romania

Consolidating NATO’s collective defense and reinforcing its eastern border also by ensuring a robust and credible presence of the Alliance in the region are two of the objectives of the Romanian diplomacy at the forthcoming summit in Warsaw, due on July 8 and 9. Bucharest believes in the strategic importance of the Black Sea for the Euro-Atlantic security and in boosting cooperation and coordination between NATO and the EU on the one hand, and NATO and its eastern partners on the other.

In the run up to the Warsaw summit, a meeting of the NATO defense ministers has been scheduled in Brussels these days, to also be attended by Romania’s Defense Minister Mihnea Motoc. The debates will focus, among other things, on increasing the amounts earmarked for defense in each NATO member country. In 2014, NATO members decided not to cut those budgets, but to increase them so as to account for 2% of the GDP in the next ten years, given that defensive military capabilities are more expensive than the offensive ones. The news is good in this respect, as NATO estimates indicate an average of 1.5% of the GDP so far.

Another important issue to be tackled in Brussels is getting NATO involved, through the AWACS aircraft, that is an airborne warning and control aircraft, in the fight against ISIS. Moreover, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, told a press conference that, in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the alliance would deploy four multinational battalions, on a rotational basis in the Baltic States and Poland, to boost those countries’ defence against Russia. According to Stoltenberg, NATO’s defence and deterrence force is not exclusively based on those four battalions. Seeing things in a broader perspective, those battalions are part of a more comprehensive change in NATO’s stand, in response to the challenges facing it.

The message is clear — NATO is prepared to protect all its members, if necessary. Bucharest has received assurances in this respect from the United States too, through the voice of Ambassador Douglas Lute, the US Permanent Representative to NATO. The North Atlantic Alliance will stand by Romania in case of a concrete threat, Lute said in a teleconference referring to Russian President Putin’s recent statements. Moscow has not become more aggressive, but, in fact, it continues the irresponsible behaviour it started two years ago with the illegal annexation of Crimea, Douglas Lute also said. Bothered by the deployment of some elements of the anti-missile shield in Deveselu, southern Romania, Russia has an interesting rhetoric, but NATO will focus on facts, the American official went on to say.

(Translated by Elena Enache)

14 June 2016
Security challenges in the Black Sea area

Montenegro’s confirmation as a future NATO member in early July could create the premises of restoring stability in the Balkans, a security conference held by NATO officials in Bucharest confirmed. Right now, NATO is facing some of the most complex challenges and risks since the conclusion of the Cold War, and, for the first time in its history, the organization is in a period in which it faces challenges on two major directions. Deputy NATO Secretary General Sorin Ducaru said that the main threat comes from Russia, which continues to violate international law on certain points. This is enhanced by instability in the Middle East and North Africa, which are both very close to NATO’s borders. Another threat is the so-called Islamic State, which started to recruit more and more in the region, to create terror cells, and gain weapons to use in attacks in Europe.

According to Sorin Ducaru, the combination between weak or weakened states, regional tensions, radical policies and religion, terrorism, and last but not least, the huge wave of refugees, calls for a complex approach. More to the point, an understanding has to be reached as to how these things interact. The alliance has earmarked 5.5 million Euros over the next four years in the Balkan area to create a buffer zone on its borders, hoping to keep at bay threats from its southern and eastern flanks. Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina are already involved in projects to provide emergency assistance to civilians, and, if need be, neutralize chemical and nuclear weapons, combating cyber crime or military action.

NATO will have more troops in Poland after the summit in July, as announced recently in Warsaw by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The summit comes at a crucial moment, when the security threats from the east and south are the most serious in the last few decades, the NATO official said. According to him, the Warsaw summit will be a reference point at which the member states will decide to boost the Alliance’s deterrence ability. He said that the members agreed to improve their presence on the eastern flank, by rotation. Jens Stoltenberg underlined that military planners have already made clear proposals, but they are still under discussion, regarding the precise numbers and places for deployment.

Decisions would be made by the time of the July summit. Another decision to be made at the summit in Warsaw will be to increase efforts to project stability beyond NATOs borders. That will suppose support for partners such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia in the east, and for Iraq, Jordan and Tunisia on NATO’s southern border. As for the anti-missile shield elements in Deveselu, in Romania, of which Vladimir Putin said that it could cause Russian missiles to be aimed at the country, Stoltenberg reaffirmed its defensive nature, emphasizing the fact that it was not aimed at Russia, but at threats outside the Euro-Atlantic area. Any action on the part of Russia would be baseless, since the shield is not aimed at that country. He explained that the interceptors that are already placed in Romania and the ones that will be placed in Poland have no offensive capacity, and that they only have the ability to intercept possible missile threats from outside the Euro-Atlantic space.

In Bucharest, at the security conference, former foreign minister Sergiu Celac commented on the recent threats from Russia: “Several statements have been made that have to be looked at calmly. In fact they are not aimed at us, but at the fact that on Romanian territory we have installations that belong to the entire North Atlantic alliance.

At the NATO summit in Warsaw, Romania will plead for more attention to be paid to the Black Sea area, considered crucial for regional and Euro-Atlantic security.

3 June 2016
May 21, 2016 UPDATE

VISIT Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos will on Sunday start an official four-day visit to the United States, during which he will be having talks with US Vice President Joseph Biden. According to a communiqué issued by the executive in Bucharest, the Romanian official will be meeting several high-ranking US officials, representatives of the business environment as well as members of the Romanian community in the Washington area. The visit is mainly aimed at highlighting the success of the strategic partnership with the USA in the field of security but it also has an economic dimension.

TENNIS Five Romanians will be playing on Roland Garros main draw, the years second Grand Slam tournament with prizes of 32 million dollars. The competition, which is due to start on Sunday will be pitting WTA sixth-seeded Simona Halep of Romania against Japans Nao Hibino, while Irina Begu will be playing Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the USA. Monica Niculescu will be up against French Pauline Parmentier, while Alexandra Dulgheru will be facing Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium. Sorana Carstea, also from Romania, will play against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the tournaments first round. The only male tennis player from Romania who qualified for the singles in Roland Garros, Adrian Ungur will be up against Igor Sijsling from the Netherlands.

NATO Romania is supporting the consolidation of NATOs eastern flank, the head of the Romanian diplomacy, Lazar Comanescu, said during the NATO foreign ministers meeting recently held in Brussels. He underlined the importance of the fact that the Alliance is paying increased attention to the latest security developments in the Black Sea area also pleading for an increased NATO assistance to partners in the region, such as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. NATO foreign ministers have decided to continue the mission in Afghanistan after 2016 as well. Comanescu has said that Romania has been and will continue to be one of the main contributors to the international alliance in Afghanistan.

FRIGATE French frigate Jean Bart has arrived in the Black Sea port of Constanta for a joint drill with the Romanian Naval Forces. The exercise is aimed at improving cooperation to carry out joint missions inside NATO. The French frigate will be joining Romanian frigate ‘Queen Maria and other seven Romanian warships, 800 Romanian soldiers as well as three Mig 21 fighter jets of the Romanian Armed Forces for anti-submarine exercises, artillery and anti-aircraft defence.

PLANE CRASH Flight MS 804 belonging to EgyptAir that crashed into the Mediterranean on Thursday had apparently mentioned smoke in the pilots cockpit several minutes before the contact was lost, French experts investigating the crash have reported. The Egyptian army reported that debris and body parts had been found 290 km north of the city of Alexandria. The plane, en route from Paris to Cairo had 66 on board mostly French and Egyptian citizens. A group affiliated to the Islamic State claims to have brought down the plane.

CANNES According to France Press, two Romanian productions are favourite in
the race for the most coveted Palme d’Or trophy. These are Cristian
Mungiu’s ‘Baccalaureate’, a 2007 Palme d’Or laureate about compromises and
corruption and director Cristi Puiu’s Sieranevada, a story with
autobiographical tinges unfolding during a commemoration. Another production
representing Romania in Cannes this year is Bogdan Mirica’s debut thriller
‘Dogs’, which is running in the Un Certain Regard section.
The award ceremony for Palme d’Or and the festival’s other prizes is due on
Sunday.

21 May 2016
The Week in Review 18 – 24 April

Romanias Schengen accession might take place in two stages

The European Commission supports Romanias and Bulgarias Schengen accession, as both countries have clearly met all accession criteria. The statement was made by the EC President Jean – Claude Junker in Strasbourg, at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in response to a question raised by a Romanian MEP. According to diplomatic sources quoted by the Radio Romania correspondent in Strasbourg, the accession might take place in two stages, starting the second half of the year. Initially planned to take place in March 2011, Romanias joining the border-free area has been postponed several times, as some of the EU member states have voiced reservations about this countrys effectiveness in reforming the judiciary and fighting corruption. In the meantime, Bucharest authorities have repeatedly stressed that Romania fully meets all technical accession criteria.

The new Romanian labour minister is faced with many challenges

The salary law in the budget sector and the enforcement of the new provisions of the law on child-rearing leave and benefits are the main challenges facing the new labour minister Dragos Paslaru. A former economic adviser to Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, the 40-year-old minister Paslaru has replaced Ana Costea, who resigned following discontent voiced by trade unions with regard to the draft emergency law on salaries in the public sector. On Friday, at a stakeholders meeting, Prime Minister Ciolos explained that the salary law would not be changed for the time being and the Government would come up with a new proposal, aimed at making up for the inequities in the public salary system, in particular with regard to low salaries. Paslaru must also find solutions for the application of the new provisions of the law on child-rearing leave and benefits, which has been recently promulgated by the head of state. Under the new provisions, there will be no cap for the monthly child benefits, which used to stand at approximately 760 Euro. From now one, benefits will account for 85% of the incomes and are to be granted for a period of two years. The parents who decide to go back to work earlier, are entitled to an incentive of 50% of the minimum guaranteed benefits.

Trade unionists in the health-care, mining and energy sectors are protesting against the current financial situation

In Romania, trade unionists in the health-care sector have this week picketed prefects offices in several county seats and the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, asking for the elimination of unfair wage distribution in the medical system and a proper funding of the system. Protesters demand rules for the functioning of medical offices in schools and the allocation of 6% of the GDP for health. Equally disgruntled, dozens of miners and employees of the Oltenia Energy Complex, in southwestern Romania, marched 300 kms to Bucharest to voice their discontent. The energy minister Victor Grigorescu has stated that the government will find solutions to salvage the company. He has talked with management and employee representatives and together they have come up with a planned aimed at rendering the company more effective and restructuring the personnel scheme.

The liberals keep appointing candidates for the office of general mayor of Bucharest

Liberals, the main right-wing force in Romania, have just issued their fourth nomination for the general mayor candidate. The new candidate is the current leader of the partys Bucharest branch, former justice minister Catalin Predoiu. The previous proposals were the MEP Cristian Busoi, followed by the first-vice-president of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban, who renounced and also resigned from all party positions, as a result of him being investigated for corruption. The third nomination, that of Marian Munteanu, a former leader of the students movement during the anti-Communist revolution of 1989, was not too happy a choice either. Munteanu stepped back, rejecting however the allegation that he had collaborated with the former political police, the Securitate.

Ukrainian president Petro Porosenko pays a visit to Romania

On Thursday, Romanian authorities reiterated their support for Ukraines sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, on the occasion of the visit paid to Bucharest by the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. The Kiev leader met with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis and PM Dacian Ciolos. The two heads of state discussed, among other things, security developments in the Black Sea area. Poroshenko said Ukraine would join the initiative for the creation of a Black Sea fleet, which would strengthen NATOs presence in the area and would help increase security in the region. The two presidents also discussed the setting up of a Romanian – Ukrainian – Bulgarian brigade, after the model of the one set up by Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. The Ukrainian president also met with PM Dacian Ciolos, who said that the formation of the new government in Kiev was a fresh opportunity for speeding domestic reforms and stabilizing the neighboring state. Two agreements were signed on the occasion, one on bilateral cooperation in the military transportation field and another one on joint patrolling along the border between the two countries.

23 April 2016
April 8, 2016

In 2015 Romania’s GDP registered a real 3.8% growth as compared to the previous year, shows a report published by the National Institute for Statistics (INS) on Friday. The National Forecast Committee has revised up its forecasts on Romania’s economic growth in 2015 to 3.7% and to 4.2% for this year. In turn, the European Commission has improved its estimates on Romania’s economic growth for 2015, 2016 and 2017. According to the new data released in February, the EU executive estimates that Romania’s GDP growth in 2015 was 3.6%, the highest after 2008. In 2016, the GDP is believed to reach a peak of 4.2%, while in 2017 it would go down to 3.7%.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice in Bucharest is today ruling on the last court appearance in the ‘Referendum’ file, in which Social-Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea got a previous suspended prison sentence of one year. Dragnea has been accused by DNA prosecutors of having coordinated a complex mechanism aimed at rigging turnout figures during the referendum on president Traian Basescu’s resignation. 74 other people, presidents and members of polling stations in 4 counties have been either acquitted or got suspended prison sentences in the same file. We recall that 87% of the voters voted for the president to step down, but the referendum didn’t get validation due to the lack of quorum.

WTA 34-th ranked tennis player Irina Begu of Romania on Thursday qualified for the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, with more than 687 thousand dollars in prize money, after defeating Monica Puig of Puerto Rico in three sets, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6. Begu will be up against the world’s second best player Angelique Kerber of Germany in the quarters. Head-to-heads revealed that Begu and Kerber are equal in terms of wins, two-all, but Kerber outperformed Irina in Charleston’s quarters last year.

Doctors in Romania are threatening with a warning strike unless their claims are met, mainly those related to work conditions and payment. The medical personnel is disgruntled with the law on unitary payment in the healthcare system, based on the minimum wage of 280 euros. The medical personnel has also claimed all the bonuses that have been cut and also the time of rest and relaxation. They have also asked for free medical services to all those working in the system. Hundreds of doctors took to the streets on the World Health Day on Thursday, while their representatives were attending talks with institution officials. The protest timetable announced last month include an all-out strike on April 18th leaving only one third of the activities managed by the personnel as well as emergency cases.

A Canadian frigate part of NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean is as of today making a three-day stop in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta. During the visit, the commander of the Canadian fleet in the Atlantic, comodore Craig Baines will be participating in meetings with Romanian navy officials. The Romanian and Canadian sailors will be training together in joint anti-submarine exercises and surveilance operations. The mission is part of the collective defence measures.

Romania’s communication and transport infrastructure must be modernized and the people’s IT skills must be strengthened, the European Commissioner for Internal market and industry Elzbieta Bienkowska told a news conference in Bucharest on Friday. She encouraged the Romanian government to increase investment opportunities and EU fund absorption. The European official held talks with Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos who briefed her on the government’s main objectives, one of them being the improvement of Romania’s investment climate.

8 April 2016
The Black Sea area out of the Visa Waiver programme

There are no favourable conditions for Romania to become part of the Visa Waiver programme in 2016. The announcement on Monday was made by US Ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, who confirmed the visa waiver for Romanians traveling to the United States was still a remote objective. According to ambassador Klemm, Romania doesn’t stand many chances to become part of the programme for two reasons.

One is that visa applicants register a refusal rate that surpasses the legally required level of 3 per cent. The latest statistics made public more than a year ago show that, in spite of the progress made in this direction, this rate is considerably higher — standing at around 10%. On the other hand, the political context in the USA does not favour amendments to the law raising the minimum threshold required. As all the other needed steps for the Visa Waiver programme have been taken, the refusal rate is the only impediment to the Romanians’ free traveling to the United States.

Under the present circumstances, a possible solution might be, according to ambassador Klemm, that Romanians may learn about the eligibility requirements to see, even before applying for a visa, if they qualify for it or not. A joint effort from both the Romanian and US authorities is needed to better explain to the Romanian applicants those eligibility requirements. But the joint Romanian-US efforts are exceeding the visa issue by far! Connected through a strategic partnership both Bucharest and Washington regard “security” as the centerpiece of their relations, centerpiece which is not confined only to military cooperation but it includes sustainable economic growth and the rule of law.

In the field of economy, attracting bigger US investment in Romania is being hindered by the lack of a modern infrastructure in the transport and the energy sectors. In the opinion of the US ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, deepening Romania’s EU integration and a better use of community resources available, would be extremely beneficial for the creation of an infrastructure profitable for investors.

As regards the process of strengthening the rule of law, the US official has hailed the activity of the National Anticorruption Directorate, recalling that Romania went up 10 positions in the latest Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. And last but not least, both NATO partners, Romania and the United States, are interested that the Black Sea be an area of free navigation and a pole of stability. In a complicated geopolitical context, the United States and its allies, pay increasing attention to the latest developments in the region, developing potential countermeasures in order to beef up security in this part of the world.

2 February 2016
December 12, 2015 UPDATE

COUNTRY RATING– Moodys has changed the outlook on Romania’s Baa3 government ratings to positive from stable, a communiqué issued by the Romanian Finance Ministry on Saturday shows. According to the same source, the decision made by the agency reflects Romania’s significant progress in correcting its macroeconomic imbalances, reducing the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks and paving the way for robust economic growth. Moody’s forecasts Romania’s economic recovery to gain further momentum in 2016, thanks to a robust expansion of private consumption and investment as well as solid public consumption growth, which will allow real GDP growth to accelerate to 4.1% in 2016, from 3.5% in 2015. Moodys has also taken note of Romania’s sizeable fiscal adjustment in the recent past, leading to a significant reduction of the government’s fiscal deficit and contributing to a stabilization of the government’s debt-to-GDP ratio. In August, Fitch Ratings reconfirmed Romania’s Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at ‘BBB-‘ and ‘BBB’, respectively, with a stable outlook.

DRAFT BUDGET-The President of the Social Democratic Party, the major parliamentary party in Romania, Liviu Dragnea, publicly called on Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos to announce until Tuesday, the moment when he estimates to increase the minimum wage per economy. Dragnea said he didnt agree with a sine die postponement of the pay-rise, proposed by the former left wing government. The Ciolos cabinet has announced an increase in the minimum wage from approximately 233 Euros to some 266 Euros cant be made in the absence of a survey meant to measure the impact of such a decision on the economy and the budget. The state budget bill for 2016 is being debated by the relevant parliamentary committees. A final vote is expected in a plenary session of Parliament, next Wednesday. The draft budget is based on a 4% growth rate and a maximum deficit of 3%.

CORRUPTION– Businessman Paul Lambrino has been placed under home arrest in a file on illegal return of property. He was taken into custody by the anti-corruption prosecutors on Friday. Lambrino, alongside other business people, among whom a well known journalist and political advisor, Dan Andronic, is accused of having set up a criminal group which allegedly brought a 136 million Euro prejudice to the Romanian state. A number of politicians are being investigated for involvement in cases of illegal return of property or illegal compensation granted by the National Authority for Property Restitution.

DRILLS– The Queen Marie Frigate of the Romanian Naval Forces is participating, until December the 16th, in a Black Sea military exercise, alongside ships from the US, Turkey and Ukraine. The action is part of a NATO package of measures designed to boost confidence among allies. The Queen Marie Frigate, with over 220 military onboard, the USS Ross US destroyer, a Turkish frigate and a Ukrainian auxiliary ship are making military exercises against multiple air, maritime and submarine threats, of imposing maritime embargo and surveillance of sea traffic. The drills are held in the context in which the security situation in the Black Sea area requires increased interoperability between the Romanian Naval Forces and the partner ones.

HANDBALL– The Romanian womens national handball team on Monday will face the defending world champions, Brazil, in the eighth finals of the World Championships in Denmark. The Romanian players on Friday lost their last Group D match to Russia, after having sustained defeat by reigning European and Olympic champions Norway and Spain, respectively. Romania has qualified for the eighth finals after outclassing Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan. Romania is the only country to have participated in all final tournaments of the World Championship since 1957. It boasts three medals on its record: gold in 1962 and silver in 1973 and 2005, respectively.

12 December 2015
November 8, UPDATE

The death toll following the fire in Bucharest’s Colectiv club is rising. Four more people died on Sunday from the injuries they sustained in the fire bringing the death toll to 45. Authorities and doctors have warned that the number of deaths might increase. Around 30 people continue to be in critical condition in Bucharest hospitals, due to severe burns. Tens of patients have been transferred to hospitals abroad, some of them with a NATO aircraft requested by Bucharest. The blaze at Bucharests Colectiv club on October 30 was started by fireworks. The firm contracted to ensure the pyrotechnics show at the club on the night of the tragedy is being investigated, its owners having been arrested. They are also suspected of having tried to destroy evidence. The three club owners are also under arrest, on suspicion of aggravated manslaughter and involuntary bodily harm, as the venue was overcrowded, lacked the required number of emergency exits, and may not have been authorised to hold such a concert. Cristian Popescu-Piedone, the former mayor of Bucharest District 4 where the tragedy occurred is also under arrest, for having issued permits for the club’s functioning in spite of the fact that the club did not qualify. Concerns that safety at the club was compromised because of corruption – a long-standing issue in Romania – have further fuelled public anger against the political elite and triggered the resignation of the left-of-centre government led by Victor Ponta. President Klaus Iohannis, who has recently held talks with parliamentary parties and civil society representatives with a view to appointing a new prime minister, joined protesters at Bucharest’s University Square on Sunday evening.

The state institutions’ well-functioning is the condition for a state’s freedom and stability, which cannot exist without laws, competence and ethics, King Michael said in a message on Sunday, on the occasion of the Day of St. Michael and St. Gabriel. The former monarch, who was forced to abdicate by Soviet-backed communists more than six decades ago, has mentioned in his message the young people, who have been protesting in Bucharest and several other cities these days, against corruption and for sweeping reforms of state institutions and the political class. In his opinion, having the best possible laws and the most active civil society are not enough to secure a solid institutional life. “I am sure that the young generation will be able to find, in their Romania, the right balance between civic attitude and state institutions,” the King Michael said. “I have lived almost 100 years out of the 150 of the Crown, which entitles me to say to our young people: The time of your Romania has come!” the former monarch also said.

As many as 140 Romanian tourists were repatriated from the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced. The operation was conducted by the Romanian Transport Ministry, with the support of the Romanian Foreign Ministry and the Romanian citizens received consular assistance during the repatriation process. Several countries have decided to repatriate their citizens and restrict flight to and from the Egyptian resorts following information that that it was possible a bomb on board had brought down the Russian plane which crashed last week, 23 minutes after takeoff from the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The crash on Saturday killed all 224 people on board. Russia, which had 78,000 tourists in Egypt and Britain, with around 20,000 tourists, have organised aerial bridges to evacuate holidaymakers as soon as possible. The Russian-Egyptian investigation teams have detected a explosion on board the plane but have said it is too early to say what caused it. A group of Egyptian jihadist have claimed the attack.

In Moldova’s capital city Chisinau, several supporters of the country’s unification with Romania took part in a march staged on Sunday at the initiative of the National Unity Bloc and the Union Council. ”The tragedy at the Colectiv club in Bucharest clearly shows that Romania needs to change its political class. On the other hand, the social and economic disaster the Republic of Moldova finds itself in, proves without a doubt that a reorganisation of this state as a whole is needed. We have the chance to take a vital step in both Bucharest and Chisinau, so that we can all live in a better Romania: a single government for the two Romanian states,” said Constantin Codreanu, a representtaive of the National Unity Bloc, a coalition made up of 22 NGOs.

Romanian and British military are carrying out, until November 11, joint training actions with a view to setting joint action procedures during drills to be conducted in Romania’s territorial waters and the Black Sea international waters in the upcoming period. For this purpose, the British destroyer HMS DUNCAN is currently in the Black Sea port of Constanta. The warship is equipped with state-of-the-art radars and anti-aircraft systems. Among the current missions of such warships in international waters are fighting piracy and drug trafficking and granting humanitarian aid to people affected by natural disasters in various parts of the world.

8 November 2015
Huge Gas Field Found in Black Sea

The major discovery in the Black Sea is already making the headlines in Romania. After exploration works in Romanias territorial waters, which began in 2011, a consortium made up of the Russian company Lukoil Overseas, held by Lukoil group, the American company PanAtlantic and the Romanian Romgaz, identified a natural gas field with a volume put at some 30 billion cubic meters. This is a preliminary figure, pending for the findings of the assessment drilling. If the volume is confirmed, processing works may take at least 7 years and will very likely require investments of billions of US dollars. Dumitru Rotar, the deputy executive manager and exploration-production manager of Romgaz, told Radio Romania that the entire amount could cover Romanias needs for 3 years, considering that the national annual consumption stands at 11 billion cubic meters. Dumitru Rotar:

Dumitru Rotar: “In around 7 years time, the gas from these reserves will probably reach the homes of Romanians. After we start the processing works, we will be able to use these 30 billion cubic meters for 10, perhaps even 15 years. In theory, if we divide the amount of gas in this reserve by the annual consumption figures for Romania at present, we can safely say that it covers the entire need for 3 years.

But does this mean that Romanians may see their natural gas bills reduced? Apparently, its too soon to tell. Here is the deputy executive manager of Romgaz:

Dumitru Rotar: “Developing these reserves means, first of all, incomes for the state budget. For the citizens in general, it means security and reliability in the supply of natural gas. I wouldnt venture to say anything about what the price of natural gas will be in 10 years time.

The area where the 30-billion cubic metre deposit was found is on the Black Sea continental shelf that The Hague court awarded to Romania in 2009 at the expense of Ukraine. Further to the dispute between Bucharest and Kiev, the Romanian state got 9,700 sq km, whose potential, according to experts, is huge. This is also the place where, 3 years ago, OMV Petrom and Exxon Mobile announced another notable find, with preliminary estimates pointing to an 84-billion cubic metre natural gas deposit. A lot of voices argue that the deposits in the Black Sea can secure Romanias and other countries energy independence from Russian natural gas. In fact, in Romania the domestic needs are almost fully covered by OMV Petrom and Romgaz.

15 October 2015
October 12, 2015

The National Executive Committee of the largest party in the ruling coalition in Romania, the Social Democratic Party, is analysing today the results of yesterdays vote in which Liviu Dragnea was elected party president. This is for the first time that the Social Democrats have not elected their leader in a congress, but through an internal vote in which all the roughly 530,000 party members were invited to take part. The Committee will also decide today on the partys leadership structure, whose members will be elected in a special congress scheduled for Sunday, October 18. Also today, registrations begin for executive president, vice-president, secretary general and other positions in the party.

The Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part today in Luxemburg in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. According to a news release issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the participants will exchange opinions on a political agreement concerning the formation of a national union government in Libya and its implications for the future of that country, and will analyse the situation in Syria. The topic of migration will also be approached, ahead of the Summit in Valletta (Malta), which will take place in November 2015.

A technical mission of the International Monetary Fund is expected to arrive this week in Romania. Next years public budgets as well as a possible new agreement with the Fund will be the main topics on the agenda of talks. The visit comes after the IMF recently upgraded its estimates on the Romanian economy. The GDP is expected to go up 3.4% this year and 3.9% in 2016. Last month, Romanias fourth consecutive agreement with the IMF came to an end. The stand-by loan deal amounted to 2 billion euros, but Bucharest has not used the funds. The Finance Minister Eugen Teordorovici said recently that Romania will officially apply for a new loan agreement with the IMF.

Romanian, American, Bulgarian and Ukrainian troops are taking part, between October 12 and 15, in military exercises in the Black Sea international waters. Romania takes part with a frigate, a corvette and two MiG 21 LanceR aircraft. The American forces consist in the USS Porter destroyer and a maritime patrol aircraft, while Ukraine and Bulgaria contributed one frigate each. The troops will practice anti-submarine warfare strategies, to test the joint operation capacity at the Black Sea. According to American officials, participation in exercises together with NATO allies, Romania included, is a permanent mission of the US Sixth Fleet.

The Nobel in Economic Sciences, to be awarded today in Stockholm, concludes this years award ceremonies. The main highlights were the granting of the Nobel Prize in Literature to the Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich and of the Nobel Prize for Peace to several organisations having facilitated the democratic transition in Tunisia. Unlike in previous years, none of the economists on the list of nominees is seen as having bigger chances to win than the others. Last year Jean Tirole of France was awarded the Nobel for his analysis on market power and regulation.

The twin blasts in Ankara, the bloodiest attack ever committed in Turkey, killed at least 97 people, according to a new report released by the authorities and quoted by France Presse. The blasts took place near the central railway station in the Turkish capital city, where people had gathered for a protest against the clashes between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The two suicide attackers were men, and identification operations are underway. The attack came 3 weeks ahead of the early legislative elections of November 1. On Saturday and Sunday, demonstrations were held in several Turkish cities against violence and terrorism. The participants criticised the government for flawed security measures.

Most of Romanias eastern part is subject to a code yellow alert for heavy rainfalls and strong wind, valid until tonight. The bad weather has already caused problems in the north-east of the country, where snowfalls have been reported and several towns and villages experienced power outings. Hydrologists warn that floods may be reported in several counties in the south and east. Meanwhile in Bucharest, the noon reading was 7 degrees Celsius.

Romanias football team has qualified in the final tournament of the European Championship, due next year in France. In their last game in preliminary Group F, the Romanians beat the Faroe Islands 3-0, away from home, on Sunday night. The last time Romania took part in a European final tournament was in 2008. Group F also included Northern Ireland, which won the group stage and also qualified for the final tournament, Finland, Greece and Faroe Islands. So far 16 out of the 24 participants in the final tournament are known.

12 October 2015
Winners of the “Holiday on the Black Sea” Contest

Dear RRI listeners, we have invited you to take part in the contest that ended on 30 April, 2015, mailing date, called ‘“Holiday on the Black Sea”. Focusing on the southern part of the Romanian Black Sea coast, the competition introduced you to some of Romania’s most attractive destinations for foreign visitors, with emphasis on the town of Mangalia, the ancient Callatis, and the resorts of Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Neptun, Olimp and Cap Aurora.

The contest was received enthusiastically by our listeners, and we got 234 correct and complete answers. We would like to thank you all and encourage you to keep writing for our next contests.

The Grand Prizes are two trips for two, eight days and seven nights, double room full accommodation, one between 12 and 19 June and a second between 6 and 13 September 2015, both at Hotel Delta in Jupiter, Constanta County. As usual, you provide for air travel and the possible visa expenses to and from Romania.

The contest was sponsored by Hotel Delta — SC Delta Aurora SA and was organized with Mangalia City Hall, the Constanta Museum of Art, the Callatis Archeology Museum of Mangalia, the Archbishopric of Tomis, UAP Constanta, the Romanian Navy Museum of Constanta, the Mufti of the Muslim Faith in Romania, the Romanian Naval Forces, and other local partners.

The answers were available in our broadcasts, but also on our profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and LinkedIn.

The contest ended on 30 April, mailing date. Before announcing the winners, let’s take another look at the questions:

What is the ancient name of Mangalia? Correct answer: Callatis

What is the name of the unique cave located close to Mangalia? Correct answer: Movile Cave

What are the names of the resorts in the southern part of the Romanian Black Sea coast? Correct answer: Mangalia, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Neptun, Oplimp, Cap Aurora.

Name five tourist attractions in Mangalia and the surrounding area. The correct answers could be picked from among the following: Esmahan Sultan Mosque, the Callatis Archeology Museum of Mangalia (housing the only papyrus in Romania), the Monument of Heroes, the Navy Museum, the Mangalia Horse Tracks, the Hagieni Nature Reserve, the tourist port, the Movile Cave (a scientific wonder because of its ecosystem, which is completely isolated from the exterior environment; not open to visitors), the Comorova Forest, the Documaci Hillock, the Byzantine building, the Mangalia Lake, the Callatis citadel and the Limanu Cave.

And now here is the list with our winners:

Our 50 honorable mentions went to:

Idriss Bou Oudina and El-Ihsani Bouchaib, both from Marocco, Li Hua, Wang Li, Long Dingzhong, Chu Changrong, Zhang Xiaohua and Xian Honglin, all 6 from China, Zhai Yizhuang, of the US, who wrote to the Chinese Service, Antonio Múñoz, of Argentina, Claudio Gerlach, of Brazil, Carmen Fuentes, of Cuba, Salvador Paxi, Spain, Miguel Ángel Bartos, of Chile, Antonella Zappalà, Giorgio Borsier, Stefano Citterio and our co-national Natalia Călinescu, all 4 of Italy, Natalia Popenko and Natalia Zabolotna, both of Ukraine, Viktoria Hovard, Bulgaria, who wrote to the Ukrainian Service, Adervall Lima Gomez, Brazil, alongside Mofizur Rahman, Bangladesh, Inger Holmberg, Sweden, Sabiha Mubeen, Oman, Brian Kendall, UK, Henk Poortvliet, the Netherlands, John and Roberta Selesky, as well as John Rutledge, USA, Catherine Agboola, Nigeria, Hafizur Rahman (Rainbow Listeners Club) Bangladesh, Umesh Kumar Yadav, Priyanka Paul (Metali Listeners Club SB Sharma – SBS World Listener Club), Naved Raiyan (International DX Radio Listeners Club), all of India, Obaid Alamm; Shah Listeners Club; Jinnah DX Club, all of Pakistan, Surendra Kumar, India, Georg Pleschberger, Austria, Svetlana Shpakovskaya, of Belarus, Narendra Jangir, Chinmoy Mahato and Chitturi Venkataramana, India, Didarul Islam, Bangladesh, Michael Whing and Grant Skinner, both from UK, Shenaz Aziz, Pakistan, Constantin Criţchi of from the Republic of Modova (who wrote to the Russian Service), Eugeniusz Krzemienczucki, Polonia (who also wrote to the Russian Service), Alexei Gatsura, Belarus.

The 20 3rd prizes went to: our co-national Andreea Deea, of Romania, Raïf Chaaban, of Lebanon, who both wrote to the French Service, Ali Alaoui, of Tunis, Abdel Kader Hasan, of Egypt, Liu Fajian and Zhi Yanjiao, both from China, Julio José Bravos, of Costa Rica, Juan Antonio Brea, Spain, Lucia Sandiano, Cristina Risso and Francesca Bernardino, all from Italy, Ihor Gurovoi, Ukraine, Jose Rivera, USA, Stu McLeod, New Zealand, Shivendu Paul, Abhera Jaswal, Radhakrishna Pillai, all 3 from India, Massoud Benaissa, Algeria, who wrote to the English section, Erik Oeffinger of Germany, Nikolai Veselkov of Russia.

The 20 2nd prizes went to: Angela Olaru, of the Republic of Moldova, Nouari Naghmouchi, of Algeria, who wrote to the French Service, Abdel-Karim Ahmad Ali Al-Mabrouk, of Libya, Gong Lei and Yu Baoguo, both of China, Pablo Ramírez, of Peru, Franco Rodríguez, Colombia, Agide Melloni, Giovanna Bertocco, Roberto Carrus and Antonella Monti, all 4 from Italy, Danny Flowers, USA, Mohammad Shamim and Najim Uddin, both of India, Ayeni Jeremiah Adedayo, Nigeria, who listens to our English broadcasts, Shahzad Shabbir and Nasir Aziz, both of Pakistan, Jehn Nooijen of the Netherlands, who wrote to the German Service, Vera Kuznetsova and Nikoai Matveev, both from Russia.

The 10 1st prizes were won by the following listeners, on air or on-line: Emilian Teodorescu, a Romanian residing in the Czech Republic, Amady Faye, Senegal, Ana-Maria Avram, of Romania, a Chinese language student, Hugo Longhi, Argentina, Bogdan Timkiv, Ukraine, Ashik Eqbal Tokon, Bangladesh, Mitul Kinsal, India, Mogire Machucki, Kenya, who listens to the English broadcast, Maxim Zabâtov, of Rusia, and Fritz Andorf, of Germany.

10 special prizes went to the following listeners, on-air or on-line: Gilbert Dupont, France, Ben Amer Laid, Algeria, Guo Yanxin, China, Antonio-Ángel Morilla, Spain, Anna Mahjar Barducci and Giovanni Sergi, both from Italia, our old friend Hans Verner Lollike of Denmark, Hamad Kiani, of Pakistan, Kamlesh Gautam of India, Victor Varzin of Russia.

We would like to extend our thanks to the questions, and to your messages telling us why you took part. And now for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the winners of a trip for two, eight days, seven nights double room full accommodation at Hotel Delta in Jupiter, Constanta County are Jaroslaw Jedrzejckzak of Poland (between June 12 and 19), and Olexandr Getz of Ukraine (between September 6 and 13). Congratulations, we cannot wait to welcome you both to Romania!

The prizes will be mailed to you, and we would love it if you sent us a confirmation by letter, e-mail or fax. Also, please check the contents and let us know. Thank you once again for taking part in our Black Sea resort contest, and of course we’re looking forward to reading your answers for future contests right here, on RRI.

16 May 2015
Spa treatment in the south of the Romanian Black Sea Coast

Mangalia is the right place for spending your holiday and also for visiting various archaeological sites and enjoying the richness of the area’s natural factors. Tourists can have spa treatments with sulphurous mineral waters and therapeutic mud in almost any of the Black Sea resorts, yet in Mangalia they will benefit from special spa services at the resort’s spa centre and sanatorium, where they will be welcomed by well-trained medical staff. Prices are not at all high despite the modern, state-of-the-art equipment of the spa centre.

Located 50 kms away from the large beach of Mangalia resort, the Mangalia spa centre and sanatorium can accommodate 200 people. These treatment facilities are more than 50 years old. At the spa centre tourists can buy complete packages including full board and various treatment procedures. Such as hydro-ozone-therapy, ambient relaxation therapy, volcanic stones massage, mud wraps, acupuncture or relaxation massage with aromatherapy oils.

Florentina Stoica is the head nurse of the Mangalia spa centre and she will tell us next how patients choose their treatment packages: ”If they have a health problem, tourists will first of all benefit from a medical check-up following which they will be given a certain treatment including specific medical procedures. If in the afternoon tourists want to use our SPA-wellness area, they can do so following the doctors’ recommendation. For gynaecological problems we can offer treatments that can solve the problem almost completely. If women want to stay slim, in the afternoon they can benefit from our programs: they will be given competent advice for a healthy living, they will have massages, sauna and everything related to the afternoon sauna. Fees are the same for Romanian and foreign guests. The spa centre and sanatorium is open all year round. There is no specific time of the year suitable for taking the treatment. It’s true that most of the tourists, given that Mangalia is located on the Black Sea Coast, want to come in the summer, but the sea is beautiful in winter and the spring as well. Not to mention that off-season we’re not that crowded and it is easier to find accommodation.”

According to the price scheme valid as of February 16, 2015, tourists will have to pay 1,010 lei, that is 220 Euro for a 10-day treatment package. The price includes four daily procedures, one of them being hydrokinetotherapy. The price does not include accommodation, that will be paid separately, and which can reach 25 Euros per person per day, in a double room.

Mud wraps are among the most sought-after procedures. The sapropelic mud in the Techirghiol Lake is rated as one of the most efficient therapy factors on the Romanian Black Sea Coast. This type of mud is rich in organic matter resulting from the decomposition of algae and crustaceans and is used in various medical treatments. The mud found in the southern part of the Romanian Black Sea coast is thought to be particularly efficient in relieving joint and muscle pain and rheumatic neuralgia. Due to its content and ability to transfer heat, mud relaxes the body, stimulates blood flow and helps hydrate the skin. According to some research, 2 or 3 weeks of mud treatment will result in a rebalancing of the entire body.

Mud wraps at a temperature of 39-41 degrees Celsius are not recommended for patients with high blood pressure and heart problems, because they can worsen initial pain, says Lacramioara Moroianu, the manager of a 4-star spa and accommodation facility in the resort of Neptun. A few days after treatment, however, in most cases pain will be gone for at least a few months. The spa in Neptun is also known for the use of salt extracted from Bazna, which has high magnesium content and is used for muscle pain relief and in recovery treatment.

Lacramioara Moroianu tells us more about the facility she runs: “The spa unit has three floors. The ground floor hosts our medical spa facility, which provides all the treatments covered by this type of spa, including balneo and rheumatic therapy, anti-stress therapy, detoxification and weight loss treatment. All these types of treatment are carried out under the supervision of doctors and therapists. The latter are all qualified staff. The first floor houses the reception area. Here, patients can make appointments and ask information about treatments, massage, packages and appointments. As far as our balneo-therapeutic services are concerned, we are proud of the quality of the sapropelic mud found in Techirgiol. We prepare the mud every day to make sure it is warm in the morning and can be used for baths, body wraps and massage. We also provide water massage and plant baths, which are recommended for people with blood flow and rheumatic problems.”

Lacramioara Moroianu explains that mud is extracted from the middle of Techirghiol Lake with the help of special bowl-like instruments. The lake is divided into squares, resembling a chess table. Mud is extracted from one square at a time to allow the area to regenerate, according to a well-established schedule. 8 tonnes of mud are extracted with each drill.

Neptun is also home to a treatment and relaxation centre called 2D Resort and Spa, which is located in a very beautiful and peaceful area. Its manager, Hristian Sapera, told us more: “The centre can house 321 people, has a restaurant for 350 seats and a spa facility providing the whole range of spa and wellness services. There are also two swimming pools, one indoor and another outdoor. The indoor pool has warm water. The centre also has a conference room seating 150. The entire complex has been restored since we took it over in 2002. We have constantly invested in it ever since, every year. Today, the entire accommodation area is modern, at 3 and 4 star standards.”

We can safely conclude therefore that visitors to the southern part of the Romanian Black Sea coast can choose from a wide range of treatment and relaxation packages at very attractive prices, especially if they book in advance.

12 March 2015
Romania’s Defence Policy

It was to be expected that Russia’s fresh appetite for territorial expansion and the aggressive way in which it pursues its expansionist inclinations would also influence the Romanian defence policy.

Following the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis last year, the activity of the Romanian defence ministry was determined by a change in the security environment in the larger Black Sea area and the growing instability on NATO’s southern borders, said defence minister Mircea Dusa at a meeting to present his ministry’s activity report for 2014.

National training for the Romanian military increased by 25% compared to the previous year, and regional and international training as part of NATO by 133%. In 2014, the Romanian army, together with its US partners, took part in its most complex exercise in the last five years. Training using live ammunition, bombs, air-to-air missiles and anti-tank missiles was conducted again after a long time. A total of 1,200 Romanian military took part in operations and missions outside Romania’s borders.

Also in 2014, Romania reinvigorated its strategic partnership with France and consolidated a special relationship with Germany, by means of permanent consultations. An integral part of the security of the free world, Romania reiterated its willingness to place a multinational command unit at NATO’s disposal and to host an integrated multinational structure, both of which will become operational within the next few years. President Klaus Iohannis, who attended the presentation of the defence ministry’s report for the first time, emphasised that complying with these commitments was vital, particularly within the current security context:

Klaus Iohannis: “In the short run, it is mandatory for us to comply with the commitments we made at the latest summit of the North Atlantic Alliance, in particular with regard to making the two new command structures operational. We must also make the base in Deveselu operational, in keeping with the calendar agreed with our strategic partner, the US. Last but not least, I would like to emphasise the need for a more active presence in the development of the European Union’s common security and defence policy, given that the process to revise the European Security Strategy will begin soon.”

The supreme commander of the armed forces as part of his presidential responsibilities, the president also said he would present Parliament with a new National Defence Strategy. The document will assess the international situation and present new lines of action to ensure the country’s long-term security. At the president’s initiative, a political agreement with the parliamentary parties was signed in January on the provision of at least 2% of the GDP to the defence budget by 2017.

11 March 2015