Radio România Internațional

Tag: cohesion policy

  • Interview with the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira

    Interview with the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira

    The 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities is currently underway in Brussels. For four days, between October 7th and 10th, the event brings together high officials, regional representatives, experts, policymakers, journalists and citizens.

    The Opening Session, held under the motto “Empowering Communities”, has highlighted the challenges faced by regions and cities throughout Europe and included discussions on the important role played by cohesion policy for Europe’s future. On the sidelines of the event, the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, has given a short interview to RRI’s Eugen Cojocariu, on her expectations from this year’s European Week of Regions and Cities and the main challenges of this cohesion policy in Europe.

     

  • Commissioner Elisa Ferreira on the state of the EU Cohesion Policy

    Commissioner Elisa Ferreira on the state of the EU Cohesion Policy

    The 21st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities is unfolding in Brussels, between the 9th and 12th of October 2023.


    The agenda of the European Week of Regions and Cities covers over 200 sessions, includes a lot of other side activities, an exhibition and offers many networking opportunities. It is the biggest annual event dedicated to regions, cities and the European cohesion policy.

    On the sidelines of the event RRIs Eugen Cojocariu has had a talk with the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, on the current state of the EU cohesion policy and on the financial impact of a new enlargement wave on the EU budget.



  • The Romanian PM in Brussels

    The Romanian PM in Brussels

    Romanias priority as president of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2019 is the cohesion policy, and negotiations are set to continue at a fast pace to have the related legislative package adopted on time. This is the message the Romanian PM Viorica Dancila conveyed at the plenary meeting of the European Committee of the Regions hosted by Brussels on Wednesday. According to the Romanian official, the start of the future operational programs will allow the benefits of the cohesion policy to show in peoples daily lives, in the lives of the cities and regions of Europe. At the same time, the EU should prove that it has the capacity to make progress in strengthening the European policies and obtaining concrete results for the citizens.



    PM Viorica Dancila: “Strengthening social cohesion requires economic convergence at European level. We therefore need a fully functional single market, free competition and transparent and fair rules as well as active mobility in all of its dimensions.”



    According to the Romanian PM, in the run up to the European elections, the EU should come up with the adequate measures to counterbalance the euro-skeptical and populist discourse, by promoting a more democratic Union, which should be closer to its citizens. PM Dancila also added that education and culture represented the key to Europes future both from European citizens individual perspectives and with regard to consolidating the European project. Local and regional authorities and communities can play an important role in this regard. At the helm of the Council of the EU, Romania will have to deal with several major issues such as Brexit, the negotiations over the Multiannual Financial Framework, migration, EU enlargement and security.



    Also in Brussels, on Tuesday, the Romanian PM Viorica Dancila gave assurances that the rule of law in Romania was being observed and that Romanias priorities were the fight against corruption and upholding citizens rights.


    PM Viorica Dancila: “The rule of law is being observed in Romania and I can guarantee that the anti-corruption fight, the rule of law, as well as the rights of the citizens will be my main priority. All the accusations that the Romanian government fails to accomplish its mission are unsubstantiated.”



    As to Romanias Schengen accession, PM Dancila pointed out that Bucharest had already met the criteria for accession in 2011, but Romanias joining the agreement is being delayed for political reasons.



    PM Viorica Dancila: “Romania has met all the requirements, just like all the members of the Schengen Area. I think its high time for a political decision to take Romania into the Schengen Area”.



    During her visit to Brussels, PM Dancila had talks with several European officials about the future of Europe.

  • Talks in Bucharest on the cohesion policy

    Talks in Bucharest on the cohesion policy

    The motto “Cohesion, a shared European value reflects Romanias vision for its term in office at the helm of the EU Council. Frequently mentioned in the speeches of EU leaders, reducing the social and economic gaps between the Unions member states, regions and citizens has been one of the most important goals of the European bloc.



    The cohesion policy was, in fact, one of the 2 key topics on the agenda of the first event organised in Bucharest by the national parliament as part of the Romanian semester. Ensuring true cohesion in Europe, the unity of member countries in the face of political, economic and social challenges, promoting pluralism, tolerance and solidarity, are among Romanias priorities while holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, Romanian officials emphasised. The Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu said measures to safeguard cohesion are essential for bridging the gaps between the various regions of the EU:



    Calin Popescu Tariceanu: “With the EU currently facing difficult challenges, we, as members of national parliaments, are called upon to promote solidarity on the continent, to support convergence, to build and safeguard cohesion in the Union. We believe such measures are fundamental, so that the current gaps between the East and the West, and between the North and the South, do not become irreversible. The risk is that we might allow extremist and populist forces to turn these gaps into fractures that will fuel a multi-speed Europe and eventually dismantle it altogether.



    In turn, the European Commissioner Corina Cretu believes the cohesion policy is about and for the citizens. In her opinion, it is the instrument that provides answers to the issues and tensions facing the European bloc, such as Brexit, migration and cross-border security. She warned that, in some cases, regional disparities have deepened, particularly in the member states in Central and Eastern Europe, and this is because there are urban regions that grow very fast, including those around the capital cities, whereas other regions develop at a slower pace.



    Corina Cretu: “The cohesion policy for 2021-2027 will be closer tied to the European agenda and priorities, and will focus on key priorities such as innovation, competitiveness, employment, climate and environment challenges.



    Corina Cretu added that, for the first time in the history of the European Union, the cohesion policy has been earmarked 373 billion euros, 80% of which will be channelled into the less developed regions.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • January 21, 2019 UPDATE

    January 21, 2019 UPDATE

    TREATY The President of Romania Klaus Iohannis will take part on Tuesday in Aachen, western Germany, in a ceremony in which France and Germany sign their renewed treaty of friendship and co-operation. Klaus Iohannis was invited by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron. On this occasion, Klaus Iohannis, as president of the country holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, will give an address. Also taking part in the ceremony will be the head of the European Council Donald Tusk, and of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The Aachen bilateral treaty is based on the 1963 Treaty of Paris, which paved the way for the reconciliation of Germany and France, and aims to adapt the relations between the 2 countries to the challenges of the 21st century, with a focus on enhancing European cohesion.




    BRUSSELS Most Romanian ministers are in Brussels until Wednesday. They will present the agenda and priorities of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union in their respective fields, to the specialised committees of the European Parliament. During his hearing by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici said, among other things, that finalising the establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union is essential. Another priority is to promote the Banking Union, given the need for a safe and solid European financial sector. In the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Romanian Minister for Water and Forestry Ioan Deneş, and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Graţiela Gavrilescu said that Romanias priorities in the field include fighting climate change, protecting biodiversity, sustainable development and water management.




    GAC The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleşcanu suggested at the meeting of the General Affairs Council held on Monday in Brussels that a special session should be devoted to hybrid warfare and fake news. According to Teodor Meleşcanu, Romania promised that, during its presidency of the Council of the EU, it will come up with a draft roadmap with measures targeting disinformation, responsibilities, means and resources allotted to this goal. The Romanian official pointed out that the EU aims to be a world leader in combating fake news. In Mondays General Affairs Council meeting, Minister Teodor Meleşcanu presented to his counterparts the main topics on the agenda of the Romanian semester, with a focus on those in the field of foreign policy and security policy.




    COHESION The cohesion policy is a priority for the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu said in Bucharest on Monday. According to her, cohesion has been one of the most flexible and innovating policies, which provides answers to the issues and tensions in the Union. Corina Creţu also said that she would like the Romanian presidency to secure an agreement on the multi-annual financial framework as soon as possible, so that the scheduled investments may be implemented starting as early as January 1, 2021. The European Commission took part on Monday in a meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary committees for Union Affairs in the national parliaments of EU member states (COSAC), held in Bucharest as part of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU.




    GOVERNMENT The Prime Minister of Romania, the Social Democrat Viorica Dăncilă, Monday sent to President Klaus Iohannis a letter requesting, for the 3rd time, the appointment of Lia Olguţa Vasilescu as Minister for Regional Development and Public Administration and of Mircea-Gheorghe Drăghici as Transport Minister. The last time Klaus Iohannis rejected the 2 nominations on grounds that their criminal records had not been included in the candidacy files. PM Viorica Dăncilă emphasized in her letter to Klaus Iohannis that the 2, whom she nominated for these posts 2 months ago, are people of unquestionable integrity and experience, capable of holding these positions, particularly since Lia Olguţa Vasilescu was a government member before. Mrs. Dăncilă also mentioned that, in her capacity as Prime Minister, by virtue of the vote of confidence given by Parliament, she has the exclusive right to assess and choose the members of the executive team she is heading.




    JUDICIARY The Bucharest Court Monday ordered the trial of the merits of a case in which the former state secretary with the Development Ministry, the Social Democrat Sevil Shhaideh, is charged with abuse of office. Meanwhile, the High Court of Cassation and Justice postponed to February 18 a trial in which the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and head of the Social Democratic Party Liviu Dragnea is accused of instigating abuse of office. The court of first instance sentenced him to 3 and a half years in prison for having ordered the fictitious employment of 2 party members by the County Social Assistance and Child Protection Agency, back when he was the head of the Teleorman County Council. The 2 were paid from public money although they apparently worked exclusively for the Social Democratic Party. Liviu Dragnea pleaded not guilty.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • October 13, 2016

    October 13, 2016


    KIDNAPPING The Romanian Foreign Ministry has announced that the Romanian engineer kidnapped in Nigeria on October 10th has been released. The ministry has reiterated its firm recommendation that the Romanian citizens in conflict areas or in security high risk areas should contact the closest Romanian diplomatic missions and record their presence in the region, in order to benefit from proper protection and assistance. According to the Nigerian policy, the Romanian engineer was kidnapped by armed men in the state of Delta, in the south of the country. The region has been hit by a wave of rebel attacks on oil and natural gas installations. They are fighting to get a larger share of the revenues generate by oil, as a large part of Nigerias production comes from Delta.



    COHESION POLICY A quarter of the total government investments in Romania, in the 2007-2013 period, is the result of the EU cohesion policy, according to an independent evaluation made public by the European Commission. Some 15 billion and a half Euros have been invested in transportation, enterprise support programs, research and environmental protection projects, through the European regional development program. Also, within the same time-frame, the cohesion policy helped create 35,000 jobs. At European level, the number of jobs created in that period stood at one million, accounting for one third of the total number of jobs in the whole of the EU created during the same interval. According to the Commission, the cohesion policy has benefited all the EU member countries and has supported them in difficult times from an economic point of view.



    JHA The Romanian Interior Minister Dragos Tudorache is attending in Luxembourg the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting. The main topics on the agenda of talks are the implementation of the regulation concerning FRONTEX, the new European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the IT measures concerning border management, the stage of fulfillment of objectives regarding migration and relocation, as well as the reform of the European asylum granting system. The Romanian official will present Romanias contribution to managing migration and will stress the importance of rendering the new agency operational as soon as possible, as well as Romanias availably to deploy 75 border police officers as part of a rapid response team.



    EU-ASEA Today and tomorrow, the Romanian Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu is attending in Bangkok, Thailand, the 21st joint EU – Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting. Previously, the Romanian Foreign Minister went to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he talked with his counterpart Retno LP Marsudi about boosting bilateral political, economic and commercial dialogue. The two officials attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries chambers of commerce. Lazar Comanescu has agreed with the trade minister Enggartiasto Lukita to encourage Romanian and Indonesian companies to participate in promotion events. During talks with the transportation minister Budi Karya Sumadi, the Romanian foreign minister stressed Romanias capacity to become for Indonesia a maritime access gate to Europe.



    MOLDOVA According to an opinion poll, in the Republic of Moldova, 34% of the citizens would vote for this former Soviet countrys unification with neighbouring Romania. According to the latest public opinion barometer, quoted by the Radio Romania correspondent in Chisinau, 51% of those questioned would vote for Moldovas EU integration, and 43% for the countrys joining the Russia -Belarus- Kazakhstan Customs Union. 42% of the respondents would vote for Chisinaus accession to NATO. The results of the polls were made public in the run up to the presidential elections due on October 30th. According to political analysts, the stake is not just political, but also geo-political, because the battle will be carried out between pro-Russia and pro-Western candidates.



    APPOINTMENT The UN General Assembly is to official appoint today the former Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary General. Guterres will replace the South-Korean Ban Ki-moon and his term will last 5 years, as of January 1st. Antonio Guterres is the first head of government to reach this position and, according to diplomatic sources in New York, is very likely to use his leadership skills and expertise in refugee-related issues to take over the initiative of regulating the main current crises, especially the one in Syria.