Radio România Internațional

Tag: council

  • Russia: concerns and sanctions

    Russia: concerns and sanctions

     

    Four US Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have condemned Russia’s interference in the Romanian presidential elections and have expressed support for Bucharest in its fight for the integrity of the election process. The signatories include Ben Cardin, head of the Senate’s committee on foreign relations, and Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the subcommittee on Europe and regional cooperation.

     

    In a statement posted on the US Senate website, they state that president Vladimir Putin’s attack on the Romanian elections is yet another example of the hybrid war Russia is waging on the United States’ European allies and partners. The Senators say the US “stands in support of Romania as it urgently moves to hold certifiably free and fair presidential elections.”

     

    The first round of the presidential elections in Romania, on November 24, was cancelled over concerns that the vote was not fair because of illegal practices supported by Moscow on social media, especially on TikTok.

     

    The US Senators condemn “Putin’s manipulation of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled TikTok to undermine Romania’s democratic process. The world must wake up to the serious threat to democracy posed by Russian manipulation of TikTok to undermine our free societies.”

     

    They add that the Romanian government has uncovered this assault on their democracy, and appreciate Bucharest’s decision to declassify intelligence related to the investigation and keep the United States and the international community informed.

     

    In turn, the European Union announced on Monday that it had adopted the first sanctions in response to “hybrid activities” on its territory, against Russian agents accused of “destabilising” actions in the EU. The bloc also accuses Moscow of cyber-attacks and disinformation, especially during elections in the EU.

     

    According to the Council of the European Union, the sanctions target individuals and entities that “undermine the fundamental values ​​of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organisations and third countries through hybrid activities of various kinds.”

     

    A total of 16 individuals and 3 entities are targeted by the sanctions, according to the Council. The measures, which include the freezing of assets in the EU, a travel ban and a ban on being financed by European companies, were decided as part of a new sanctions framework approved in October. This is separate from the one used against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (AMP)

  • March 25, 2024 UPDATE

    March 25, 2024 UPDATE

     

    MOTION In Bucharest, the Chamber of Deputies discussed on Monday a simple motion against the agriculture minister Florin Barbu (Social Democratic Party), accused of having backed a bill allowing the reed in the Danube Delta to be used for the financial benefit of certain politicians. The simple motion, called “Praising Ceauşescu will not save the Romanian agriculture,” was tabled by Save Romania Union in opposition, after the agriculture minister’s appreciative discourse about the country’s former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. USR also accused Florin Barbu of having treated the protesting farmers with contempt and of having ignored the MPs requests to present his activity. Barbu dismissed the motion as “a complete joke” and a string of “battle cries, propaganda and many untruths.” The Chamber is to vote on the motion on Tuesday.

     

    DRUG TRAFFICKING The Romanian police will be able to monitor and identify drug traffickers more efficiently once a new special register in this field has become operational. The bill regulating the register was signed into law by president Klaus Iohannis on Monday. Depending on the sentence received in court, traffickers will be entered into the registry for 5 to 20 years, during which the police will be aware of the risks of the monitored person selling banned substances again, the justice minister Alina Gorghiu explained. Drug using and trafficking have seen an upward trend in Romania lately. More than one tonne of drugs was seized last year, and also last year Romanian antidrug structures seized the largest amount of Ecstasy so far (230,000 tablets), the justice minister said.

    SCHENGEN Full Schengen accession by the end of this year is achievable, the Romanian interior minister Cătălin Predoiu believes. He says Romania has already completed preparation for lifting checks at the EU internal air and maritime borders, as approved by the EU Council as of the end of this week. Predoiu added that Romania and Austria cooperate very well in fields like border protection and fighting illegal migration and cross-border crime, and said he suggested extending the cooperation between the 2 countries beyond Schengen, with a focus on fighting drug trafficking and human trafficking.

    INVESTIGATION Romanian prosecutors subordinated to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office seized assets worth EUR 2.4 mln from an Italian suspect subject to an investigation in Bologna concerning cross-border fuel trafficking. The total damages in the case amount to EUR 92 mln. In Romania, prosecutors seized 18 properties owned by the suspect, have frozen 14 bank accounts and assets in Romanian companies. Three Italian nationals are probed into for bringing into Italy oil products from refineries in Croatia and Slovenia, in order to resell them for lower prices to Romanian and British companies, and to bill them to Italian shell companies run by members of the crime group, the EPPO explained.

    ALERT The government of France has raised the terror alert warning to its highest level after Friday’s massacre in Moscow. The country’s PM, Gabriel Attal, said in a social media post that “the decision was taken in light of the Islamic State’s claiming responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country.” France has seen some of the bloodiest terror attacks masterminded by Islamist fighters, such as the ones in 2015-2016, which left roughly 300 dead and hundreds wounded. The government in Paris has explained that the Islamist organisation has been recently involved in a series of attempted attacks, which have been thwarted by police forces in several European countries, such as France and Germany, and the PM Monday morning summoned the heads of the services responsible for the country’s security and safety.

    HANDBALL The Romanian women’s handball side Dunarea Braila has qualified for the final tournament of the EHF European League after a 26-25 home win against the Croatian side Podravka Vegeta on Sunday in the second round of the quarter finals. Dunarea, which also won the first game against Podravka, is Romania’s second representative in the EHF Finals Women, due on June 1 and 2 in Graz, Austria, after Gloria Bistrita. Romania’s champions CSM Bucharest have qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League in women’s handball after a double win against the Slovenian side Krim Mercator Ljubljana and will be playing in the quarters against the French side Metz Handball.

  • March 22, 2024 UPDATE

    March 22, 2024 UPDATE

     

    EUROPEAN COUNCIL Brussels hosted a European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday, in which Romania was represented by president Klaus Iohannis, who also attended the Euro Summit on Friday. He stated that Ukraine must remain a priority on the EU agenda, and welcomed the agreement on the support to be provided to this country. Mr. Iohannis reiterated that Romania remains one of Ukraine’s steadfast supporters and will continue to provide assistance particularly in the humanitarian and military areas, and in terms of grain transport. The Romanian official also highlighted the importance of continued European support for the Republic of Moldova, which is facing unprecedented hybrid threats from the Russian Federation during its pre-election period. The European Commission Friday proposed the introduction of tariffs for grain imports from Russia and Belarus, in a move to prevent Moscow and Minsk from distorting the markets. According to the Commission, the tariffs are also designed to contain Russia’s capacity to finance its war in Ukraine and to reduce Russia’s sales of grains stolen from Ukraine. EU leaders unanimously adopted a critical statement concerning Israel, calling for an immediate humanitarian pause and for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip via all routes. The European Council also urged Israel to refrain from carrying out a ground operation in Rafah, where over one million Palestinians are seeking safety.

    MOLDOVA The Parliament of Moldova has adopted a Declaration voicing confidence that the EU accession is the only way to secure its future as a sovereign, neutral, democratic and undivided state. Moldovan MPs call on the entire society to prove unity and solidarity in order to strengthen political and social dialogue in the name of the national interest and of this strategic goal-the EU accession. The document also emphasises that for decades the European Union has been a “reliable partner” for Chisinau, “selflessly” providing the country with logistic and financial support for solving its many domestic problems. In December 2023, the European Council decided the initiation of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova.

    FUGITIVES Sentenced offenders having left the country will have to cover the costs of their repatriation, under a draft order passed by the government and submitted to parliament for approval. The new provisions also apply for defendants under investigation, the justice minister Alina Gorghiu announced. She explained that the new legislation concerns 2 situations: when a fugitive flees from prosecution or trial, and when an offender having received a final sentence tries to avoid serving the sentence. The justice minister emphasised that last year the Romanian state spent some EUR 2 mln to bring 800 convicted fugitives back to the country. A list of famous Romanian fugitives includes the former mayor of Bucharest, Sorin Oprescu, the former head of Romania’s Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences, Alina Bica, the son of the president of the Professional Football League, Mario Iorgulescu, and Paul Philippe of Romania.

    CLIMATE Climate change is an undeniable fact, which requires immediate measures, the Romanian minister of environment, waters and forestry Mircea Fechet said on Friday at a conference in Bucharest occasioned by World Water Day and World Meteorological Day. The Romanian official also mentioned the conflict near Romania’s borders, which also impacts the environment. “We are not living the easiest of times,” he said, and added that we should take this opportunity to think about what is happening near Romania and about what we have to do. The participants emphasised the importance of efficiently conveying the information provided by weather experts, by hydrologists and climatologists, and the need to manage water resources in a responsible and efficient manner. They also voiced concern with the already visible consequences of climate change.

    ELECTIONS The Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party in the ruling coalition in Romania have validated their candidates on the joint list for the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 9. Originally at the top of a list of 20 eligible positions, the independent candidate Ramona Chiriac, head of the European Commission Representation in Bucharest, has withdrawn her candidacy for personal reasons. Both parties are keeping most of the current MEPs, but new names also appear on the list. From the Social Democrats, the joint list includes, among others, the former Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, the former minister of family and equal opportunities Gabriela Firea, the incumbent state secretary with the Department for Romanians Everywhere Gheorghe Cârciu, and MEPs Dan Nica and Victor Negrescu. Among the Liberal candidates for the European Parliament are Adina Vălean, the current EU transport commissioner, Virgil Popescu, the former minister of energy, and the MEPs Rareş Bogdan, Siegfried Mureşan, Dan Motreanu, Gheorghe Falcă, and Daniel Buda. The list will be finalised next week. (AMP)

  • January 31, 2024 UPDATE

    January 31, 2024 UPDATE

    PROTESTS In Romania, local administration
    staff in rural areas were on a token strike on Wednesday, with demands
    primarily related to salaries. According to trade unions, almost 11,000
    employees in over 800 town halls in the country signed for the protest. Unionists threaten with an all-out strike
    starting on February 5 unless their demands are met. On the other hand, trade
    unions in the healthcare sector announced they would carry on protests, as the
    government’s current offer to raise salaries by 13.9% this year is not what
    they had expected. Solidaritatea Sanitară Union Federation notified the
    government of their plans to go on an all-out strike. According to the
    federation, under the law the government has 10 days to negotiate with the unions
    and avoid a labour dispute.






    DEFICIT Romania ended the year 2023 with a
    budget deficit of 5.68% of the GDP, as against the 4.4% originally forecast
    when the state budget for last year was drawn up. The deficit is however below
    the 6.3% estimated by the European Commission in its forecast. According to
    data supplied by the Finance Ministry, the difference between revenues and
    expenditure was almost EUR 18 bln.








    REPORT With 46 points out of 100, Romania
    remains one of the EU countries with the poorest results in the implementation
    of anti-corruption measures, according to Transparency International’s annual
    Corruption Perceptions Index. The organisation’s recommendations for Romania
    include updating the legislation in the field of public integrity, improving
    organisational and decision-making transparency, standardising and clarifying
    administrative procedures.






    EU
    Romanian President Klaus Iohannisis in Brussels to take part in a
    ceremony organised by the European Commission in memory of Jacques Delors (1925
    – 2023), a former European Commission president between 1985 and 1995, and to
    attend an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on Thursday. The
    Council meeting will focus on an agreement on the main elements of the proposed
    revision of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. The most important
    decisions are the support for Ukraine, including military support under the
    European Peace Facility, in keeping with the country’s needs. Klaus Iohannis
    will firmly plead for Ukraine to remain a top priority on the EU agenda.






    VISIT The Turkish foreign minister, Hakan
    Fidan, was on a visit to Bucharest, for a meeting with his Romanian counterpart
    Luminiţa Odobescu. The Turkish official also had talks with Prime Minister
    Marcel Ciolacu and the Senate Speaker, Nicolae Ciucă. According to the Turkish
    media, Hakan Fidan is meeting with his counterparts in Albania, Bulgaria and
    Romania ‘to discuss bilateral relations, as well as current regional and global
    developments’. Romania and Turkey signed a Strategic Partnership in 2011,
    followed by a joint action plan, signed in 2013 by the two countries’ foreign
    ministers. (AMP)

  • November 30, 2023

    November 30, 2023

    DEFENCE Romania’s new Army Chief of Staff is the general lieutenant
    Gheorghiţă Vlad. At the swearing in ceremony on Thursday, president Klaus
    Iohannis said Vlad was entrusted with the responsibility of carrying on the
    Army’s process of adapting to new challenges and of maintaining a high level of
    battle training for the troops. We need more determined measures to re-launch
    the national defence industry, the president also said, including though
    industrial cooperation, so that a larger share of the ammunition and equipment
    we need to be produced domestically. This and the high level of military
    training, will ensure a strong and credible defence capacity, adapted to the
    new security challenges, the head of state added.

    RECYCLING In
    Romania, the deposit and return scheme for beverage containers became
    operational on Thursday. Romania will run the second-largest programme of this
    kind in Europe, after the one in Germany, in terms of the number of containes
    processed. Romanians who pay a 10-Eurocent deposit on purchasing bottled
    beverages from retailers will be able to return the container to drop-off
    centres organised by retailers, and will be refunded their deposits without
    having to produce the receipt for the original purchase. Deposit-carrying
    containers will be introduced gradually, with a transition period until current
    stocks in shops are sold out.


    DIPLOMACY The
    Romanian foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu took part on Wednesday in an
    informal dinner ahead of the OSCE ministerial council in Skopje, organised by
    the rotating chairmanship holder, North Macedonia. Talks focused on Russia’s
    war of aggression against Ukraine and the need for an efficient OSCE in times
    of conflict. In her address, the Romanian diplomat emphasised the difficult
    circumstances in which the Organisation operates, in the context of Russia’s
    unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. She also
    reiterated Romania’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people, emphasising the
    multi-dimensional support given to Ukraine. Luminiţa Odobescu also highlighted
    the negative impact on the Republic of Moldova, the social and economic
    difficulties facing Moldova as a result of Russia’s various pressures, as well
    as the relevance of Moldova in the security dynamics of the region.


    KISSINGER The
    former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, who played a major role in shaping
    the US foreign policy under presidents Nixon and Ford, died on Wednesday aged
    100, the BBC announced. Kissinger was a national security adviser and a state
    secretary between 1969 and 1977, during which the US ended its involvement in
    the Vietnam War, opened its relations with China and saw the end of hostilities
    in the wake of the 1973 Yom Kippur War in the Middle East. He won the Nobel
    Peace Prize, although his opponents claiming his role in bombing Cambodia and Laos
    amounted to war crime. He pioneered the concept of Realpolitik, which values
    pragmatism in international relations, the BBC also said.


    HOLIDAY Christians
    celebrate today Andrew the Apostle, the patron saint of Romania. Historical records
    indicate that Saint Andrew preached in Scythia, in the north and west of the
    Black Sea, including present-day Dobrudja, where he ordained priests and
    bishops who took the word of Christ to the Dacian population between the Danube
    and the Carpatians. As such, he is recognised as the patron saint of Romania. He
    was martyred by crucifixion in the city of Patras, in Greece.


    ISRAEL An attack
    by 2 Palestinians in western Jerusalem at rush hour killed 3 people and wounded
    7 others, 4 of whom are in a serious condition. The attack took place as the
    truce between Israel and Hamas was renewed for the 7th consecutive
    day, in order to carry on the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian
    prisoners. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, the attackers were
    identified as Hamas supporters and had been formerly imprisoned in Israel. As
    for the new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the revised list of hostages to
    be freed only includes 8 children. Hamas explained that this was because of the
    2 Israelis with dual, Russian and Italian citizenship, who were released
    yesterday in a show of goodwill towards the Russian president Vladimir Putin. (AMP)

  • June 30, 2023

    June 30, 2023

    PRICES The government of Romania is discussing today an emergency
    order introducing temporary measures to curb the excessive rise of foodstuff
    prices. Under the new regulation, food processors may charge a maximum 20%
    mark-up on production costs. The combined mark-up throughout the distribution
    chain, regardless of the number of distributors, may not exceed 5%, while
    retailers may charge an additional maximum 20% on purchase prices plus
    overheads and direct expenses. The emergency order will be valid for 90 days
    after endorsement.


    EU Europe’s relations with China
    are on the agenda of Friday’s talks at the European Council meeting in Brussels.
    Some member states believe the West relies too much on an undemocratic country
    that has close ties with Russia. The invasion of Ukraine highlighted the West’s
    dependence on Russian oil and gas, and there are concerns that a similar
    mistake is being made with respect to China, the source of many consumer goods,
    the BBC notes. On Thursday, the first day of the Council meeting, the situation
    in Ukraine and Russia was in the focus on the talks. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, EU leaders have undertaken
    to help Ukraine in the long run to defend itself against Russia’s military
    aggression. The meeting was also attended by the NATO secretary general Jens
    Stoltenberg, with the president of Ukraine Volodymyr
    Zelenskyy joining in via video link. The
    president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, said both the EU and NATO must provide
    proportional support to the R. of Moldova as well, which is waiting to take the
    next step towards European integration. As regards the transit of Ukrainian
    grain, which has affected Romanian farmers, the president says Romania may
    provide an answer to Kyiv’s request for more intensive use of the Danube as a
    transit option.


    SALARIES Teaching staff in the Romanian public
    undergraduate education sector will receive more benefits under the new
    collective bargaining agreement signed on Thursday. The announcement was made
    by the education minister, Ligia Deca. On the other hand, Sanitas trade union
    announced they have secured pay raises for public healthcare staff.

    PENSIONS The Constitutional Court of Romania will discuss on 26 July
    a notification filed by the High Court of Cassation and Justice against the
    scrapping of special pensions and the law prohibiting the payment of both
    public sector salaries and pensions to the same person at the same time. Both
    bills were passed on Wednesday in Parliament and are being checked for
    compliance with the Constitution, before being sent for promulgation by
    president Klaus Iohannis. Supreme Court judges decided to notify the
    Constitutional Court with respect to the two bills, which they claim violates
    several of their rights.


    SUPPORT The PM of Spain Pedro Sanchez travels to Kyiv on Saturday to
    reiterate the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, on the first day of Spain’s
    rotating presidency of the EU Council, 1 July. The announcement was made by the
    president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine is an EU candidate country
    and is hoping to open accession negotiations at the end of this year.


    EUROPEAN GAMES Romania is placed 13th in the nations
    ranking at the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska (Poland), 9 days into the
    competition. Romanian athletes have so far won 14 medals (5 gold, 4 silver and
    5 bronze). Cyclist Vlad Dascălu in the mountain bike event, athlete Claudia
    Bobocea in the 1,500m race, Bernadette Szocs in the table tennis final, as well
    as Kinga Barabasi and Apor Gyorgydeak in teqball are Romania’s gold medallists.
    Silver medals went to athletes Bianca Ghelber in the hammer throw event and
    Daniela Stanciu in the high jump, to rower Cătălin Chirilă in the 500m canoe
    race and to Ilinca Pantiş in the saber event. Ştefan Comănescu in the 67 kg kumite,
    Andrea Miklos in the 400 m race, Mălina Călugăreanu in the foil event, Ovidiu
    Ionescu/Bernadette Szocs in the mixed doubles and Elizabeta Samara in the women’s
    table tennis competitions, respectively, won bronze medals. Romania takes part
    in this year’s edition of the European Games with 150 athletes in 18 sports. (AMP)

  • April 10, 2023 UPDATE

    April 10, 2023 UPDATE

    DEFENCE The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis has convened a
    meeting of the country’s Higher Defence Council on Tuesday. The security
    situation at the Black Sea, triggered by Russia’s aggression on Ukraine and the
    foreign interference in Moldova’s democratic process are on the agenda. The
    development of the Romanian military aviation will also be discussed.


    CEREMONY We will always rely on the Romanian Army, on our
    servicemen who, together with our allies, will ensure the defence of Romania
    and of NATO’s eastern flank, PM Nicolae Ciucă said in the eastern Romanian
    town of Focsani on Monday. He attended a ceremony celebrating 140 years since
    the Union of Principalities 282 Brigade was set up. The PM reiterated that
    near Romania’s borders, a long-term war of attrition is taking place, which is
    a challenge for the free world, for democracy, for a rule-based world. The 282
    Brigade carries forward the military traditions of the 6th Infantry
    Division established on April 1, 1883, and stationed in Focşani. Throughout its
    existence, the 6th Infantry Division took part in the Balkan War and
    the 2 world wars, while in recent times structures within the brigade
    participated in many operations in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.


    DIASPORA Romanian PM Nicolae Ciuca Monday took part in the opening ceremony
    of the conference Smart Diaspora 2023 – Diaspora in higher education, science,
    innovation and entrepreneurship, held in Timisoara, western Romania. Around
    400 participants from the Diaspora, 550 from Romania and 300 from the member
    universities of Timisoara University Alliance are expected to attend the 38
    workshops held for 4 days on topics such as education, psychology, global
    economy, governance, smart cities, intercultural communication and many others.
    The guests from the Diaspora come from more than 30 countries, most of them in
    the EU, but also from the US, Britain, Moldova, Japan, Singapore and Australia. President Klaus Iohannis has
    sent a message saying education is the key to Romania’s sustainable
    development.


    EDUCATION The new education bills have reached the Chamber of
    Deputies for review. In the case of undergraduate education, new mandatory Language
    and communication and Math and sciences exams have been introduced for 2nd, 4th
    and 6th grade students, while the bill on higher education provides for an
    extension of doctoral studies from 3 to 4 years. The leaders of the ruling
    coalition have promised to pass the new legislation by the end of Parliament’s current
    session.


    HOLY WEEK Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers all over the world,
    including Romania, a mostly Orthodox country, have entered the Holy Week, the
    last week before Easter. Holy Week services are attended by large crowds.
    Romanian pilgrims have already arrived at the holy places in Jerusalem,
    Nazareth and Bethlehem, for the religious service on Easter Sunday, according
    to RRI’s correspondent in Israel. This year, Catholic and Protestant Christians
    celebrated Easter a week before the Orthodox and Greek Catholics. On Sunday,
    during his traditional Easter address before the large crowds gathered in St.
    Peter’s Square of the Vatican, Pope Francis condemned the numerous obstacles in
    the way of world peace and called on the international community to put an end
    to the conflict in Ukraine and to all other conflicts in the world.


    CUSTOMS The customs authorities in Romania and the neighbouring
    Republic of Moldova have approved a Common Action Plan designed to help
    streamline cross-border travel during the Easter holidays, more precisely
    between 7 April and 7 May 2023. According to the Romanian Customs Authority, in
    order to handle the surge in traveller numbers, the two authorities will increase
    the number of customs workers and identify and earmark separate lanes to
    redirect and speed up passenger travel. (AMP)

  • March 28, 2023 UPDATE

    March 28, 2023 UPDATE

    VISIT The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, received the
    PM of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki in Bucharest on Tuesday. Klaus Iohannis said
    Poland was a close and long-standing friend, a key strategic partner and a
    reliable ally for Romania. We are connected by sound shared strategic and
    security interests, which are further consolidated by today’s rather tense
    regional security context, the Romanian official said. Mr. Iohannis added that
    the 2 countries will maintain their unequivocal support for Ukraine for as long
    as necessary, and will boost their support for the most vulnerable and most
    severely affected partners in the region, especially the Republic of Moldova.
    In turn, PM Morawiecki said Romania and Poland were the pillars of the
    North-Atlantic Alliance in this part of Europe and highlighted the Allies’
    willingness to reinforce it through improved military cooperation. Previously,
    the PM of Romania Nicolae Ciuca had a meeting with his Polish counterpart, and
    together they attended the Romania-Poland Economic Forum organised by the
    Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Ciuca said bilateral trade had
    increased by 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching EUR 11bln.


    MOLDOVA The EU will
    prepare a support package for the Rep. Moldova before summer, the president of
    the European Council Charles Michel said in Chişinău on Tuesday, at a joint
    press conference together with Moldova’s president Maia Sandu. Chişinău has a
    lot of strong friends in Brussels, who want the Republic of Moldova to become a
    part of the EU family as soon as possible, Charles Michel also said, and added
    that this is a historic opportunity for Moldova and for its people. In turn, president
    Maia Sandu emphasised the importance of Moldova’s EU integration. European
    integration is the only path that ensures the survival of Moldova, its becoming
    a free and prosperous country. It is the only chance for its citizens to live
    in peace at home. We must withstand the hybrid attacks targeting our determination
    to be part of the free world, Maia Sandu said.


    DEFENCE The Romanian
    state secretary for defence policy, planning and international relations,
    Simona Cojocaru, is on an official visit to India until March 31, at the
    invitation of defence secretary Giridhar Aramane. According to the Romanian
    defence ministry, the two parties Tuesday signed an inter-governmental defence
    cooperation agreement. The document creates the framework for the development
    and consolidation of bilateral relations, through enhanced cooperation. The
    Romanian defence ministry also notes that it is for the first time in the
    history of the 2 countries’ bilateral relations that a cooperation agreement in
    this sector has been signed.


    PENSIONS The Senate’s
    specialist committees Tuesday issued a positive report on the bill on special
    pensions. The amendments tabled by the ruling coalition made up of the Social
    Democratic Party, National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic
    Hungarians in Romania were passed, although USR in opposition voted against and
    AUR party’s MPs abstained from voting. One of the changes accepted by the
    committees was that beneficiaries of multiple special pensions must choose only
    one of them within 30 days after the law takes effect. Other provisions in the
    bill are that pension benefits will be adjusted to inflation on a yearly basis,
    and that special pensions cannot be higher than the salary received while in
    office. As of Wednesday the bill will be discussed in plenary session by the
    Senate, the first parliamentary chamber to vote on it. (AMP)

  • March 20, 2023 UPDATE

    March 20, 2023 UPDATE

    VISIT – On an official visit to the United Arab
    Emirates, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis Monday had a meeting in Abu Dhabi
    with his counterpart, Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan. There are a lot of bilateral,
    regional and global areas where we can cooperate quite well. There are huge
    opportunities and I believe we both want to capitalize on them,’ the Romanian
    official said during the meeting. President Iohannis suggested the two
    countries may cooperate with a view to promoting environment education and skills
    for the green transition. He also presented the goals of the Three Seas
    Initiative that Romania will host this September in Bucharest, and the
    opportunities it provides to private investments and investment funds,
    encouraging the involvement of UAE investors. In turn, his counterpart pleaded
    for the development of relations with Romania and for Bucharest’s active
    presence at the COP28, a meeting scheduled to take place this year in the UAE. On
    this occasion, the two countries’ relevant ministers and officials signed
    bilateral documents in the fields of energy, cyber-security and education. On
    Sunday president Klaus Iohannis visited Masdar City, a model of sustainable urban
    development focusing on energy efficiency and environment protection.


    DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign
    minister Bogdan Aurescu Monday took part in the meeting of EU foreign ministers
    (Foreign Affairs Council) and in a joint meeting of EU foreign and defence
    ministers. According to the Romanian foreign ministry, the EU officials primarily
    discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the implementation of the EU
    Action Plan on the geopolitical consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
    On this occasion, Bogdan Aurescu highlighted the multifaceted consequences of
    the security crisis generated by Moscow, with an impact beyond Ukraine, and
    warned against destabilizing Russian actions against the pro-European
    authorities in the Rep. Moldova. Mr. Aurescu voiced Romania’s support for
    carrying on the Union’s support efforts for Ukraine, including the provision of
    ammunition, and the need to further isolate Russia internationally and to
    maintain pressure on Kremlin. The Romanian official also announced that this
    April Romania and Ukraine will organise jointly a first high-level conference
    on Black Sea security, under the Crimea International Platform. Also in
    Brussels on Monday, at the international donor conference for Turkey and Syria,
    in the aftermath of the February earthquakes, Minister Aurescu announced a new
    financial assistance package totaling EUR 1.3 mln.


    MOLDOVA The Romanian PM Nicolae Ciucă will travel
    to the neighbouring Republic of Moldova this week, for a meeting with his
    counterpart Dorin Recean. On this occasion, PM Ciucă will reiterate Romania’s
    support for that country’s reforms, for consolidating its economy, resilience
    and security and for its EU accession efforts. Meanwhile, in Chisinau, the
    Supreme Security Council announced a number of decisions after Monday’s meeting
    convened by president Maia Sandu in the context of the exceptional situation
    in the judiciary. One of these decisions is to step up the creation of the
    Higher Council of Magistrates, which is to become operational within 30 days. After
    the meeting, Moldova’s president stated that some members of the system oppose the
    cleaning of the judiciary and seek to continue using it to their own benefit. We
    need a judicial system free from corruption, able to uphold justice and rebuild
    people’s trust, Maia Sandu concluded. (AMP)

  • March 19, 2023 UPDATE

    March 19, 2023 UPDATE

    VISIT The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis, currently
    on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, Sunday travelled to Masdar
    City, a model of sustainable urban development with solutions centered around
    energy efficiency and environment protection. The Romanian official was presented
    solutions for transport and urban cooling and ventilation, building energy
    generation and optimum usage of natural light in schools and research
    institutions. The solutions tested in Masdar City may be an inspiration for
    other cities increasingly interested in sustainability, including in Romania. Contributions
    to these solutions come, among others, from Romanian researchers as well,
    affiliated to research institutes in Masdar City, the Romanian presidency said
    in a news release. President Iohannis will be in the UAE until Tuesday, at the
    invitation of his counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The main
    goals of the visit include strengthening the political and diplomatic dialogue
    on topics of mutual interest, encouraging bilateral economic relations, which
    are already on a significant positive trend, and attracting investments in the
    Romanian economy through projects in fields like infrastructure, energy,
    climate change, cybersecurity and food security.


    REFUGEES The Romanian Border Police Inspectorate General
    announced that on Saturday as many as 86,342 people entered Romania using
    border checkpoints around the country. Of them, 8,510 were Ukrainian nationals.
    Since February 10, 2022, two weeks before the Russian invasion of their
    country, nearly 3.8 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. Most of them have
    travelled further on to western European countries, but around 100,000 of them
    have chosen to stay in Romania, according to the authorities in Bucharest.


    DIPLOMACY The Romanian diplomacy chief Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Monday in the Foreign Affairs Council, a meeting of EU foreign ministers in
    Brussels. He will also attend the joint meeting of EU foreign and defence
    ministers, as well as in a conference of international donors for Turkey and
    Syria, in the aftermath of the February earthquakes. The Foreign Affairs
    Council will focus on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the dialogue between
    Belgrade and Pristina, the situation in Tunisia and the latest developments in
    Iran. Bogdan Aurescu will plead for continuing multidimensional support for Ukraine,
    both at EU level and from the member states, with a focus on the quick
    provision of military equipment and training for the Ukrainian army. According
    to the Romanian foreign ministry, Mr. Aurescu will also support a consolidation
    of the sanctions against Russia and a more efficient implementation of current
    restrictions.


    MILITARY Over 3,000 troops from Romania and 12 Allied and partner
    states will take part in the Sea Shield 2023 multinational exercise, the most
    complex event planned and spearheaded by the Romanian Navy this year. Taking
    part in the event between March 20 and April 2 are forces from Albania,
    Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Greece, Poland, Portugal, UK, the Netherlands, the Republic
    of Moldova, Romania, the US and Turkey. The exercise contributes to promoting
    Romania’s interests and initiatives at regional and international level, as
    well as to enhancing inter-operability among the participating countries. Sea
    Shield, a complex concept designed for the training of NATO forces, was
    proposed by Romania at NATO’s summit in Warsaw in 2016, to boost security on
    the Eastern flank.


    HANDBALL Romania’s women’s handball champions, Rapid Bucharest, were
    defeated on Sunday by Slovenia’s Krim Ljubljana, 29-24, in the first leg of the
    playoffs for the Champions’ League quarter-finals. The second leg takes place
    in Bucharest. This is Rapid’s first presence in the Champions’ League, and the
    match against the Slovenian champions is also the team’s first march in European
    competitions with the Danish manager Kim Rasmussen, who replaced Carlos Viver (Spain).
    If they qualify into the quarter-finals, Rapid will be facing Kristiansand (Norway).
    Romania’s vice-champions, CSM Bucharest, have already qualified into the
    quarter-finals, where they will take on the winner of the playoff between the
    French side Brest and the Danish team Esbjerg. (AMP)

  • February 15, 2023

    February 15, 2023

    MOLDOVA President Klaus Iohannis says Romania has stood and will
    stand by the R. of Moldova and firmly condemns any foreign attempt at destabilising
    this country. It is highly alarming to see public signs of attempts by the
    Russian Federation to step in illegitimately and upset the democratic and
    constitutional order of the R. of Moldova, a sovereign state that has chosen
    its political direction through a free vote, the Romanian president said in a statement
    issued on Wednesday. Klaus Iohannis reiterated that Moldova is not alone in facing
    these challenges, and reconfirmed Romania’s unwavering support for the
    sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country, within its
    internationally recognised borders, and for its pro-European future. The
    Romanian official also pointed out that Moldova belongs in the EU family, and
    that this path is irreversible and must be followed with determination, courage
    and ambition. The statement comes after on Monday the pro-Western president of
    Moldova Maia Sandu announced Moscow was planning to force a change of the
    political power in Moldova, using violence to destabilise the country.


    AID Romania is sending further humanitarian
    aid to Turkey and Syria in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquakes that
    killed some 40,000 people. A new humanitarian flight by 3 Romanian Air Forces
    aircraft today takes around 22 tonnes of goods donated by the Romanian
    government to the people affected by the tremors in the 2 countries. Another 2
    trains with basic necessity products have been already sent to Turkey, and 2
    planes with humanitarian aid were sent to Syria on Tuesday. According to the UN,
    9 million Syrian and 2.2 million Turkish nationals need aid. The Turkish Confederation
    of Enterprises and Businesses says the disaster might cost the country 84 billion
    US dollars.


    UN The Romanian foreign minister
    Bogdan Aurescu Tuesday had talks with the UN secretary general António
    Guterres. The Romanian official was at the UN headquarters in New York, where
    he was a speaker at the UN Security Council debate on Threats to international peace and
    security: Sea-level rise: implications for international peace and security.
    According to the foreign ministry, the 2 officials discussed climate change and
    its consequences, as well as the situation in Ukraine one year after the start
    of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Bogdan Aurescu pointed out
    that Russia’s irresponsible conduct, which violates the core principles of international
    order, must end, and that it is particularly serious for a member of the UN
    Security Council to have started this war. The Romanian foreign minister also
    highlighted Romania’s support efforts, including the receiving of over 3.5
    million Ukrainian refugees who have transited Romania. Current developments in
    the R. of Moldova were also discussed.


    DEFENCE Romania’s defence minister Angel Tîlvăr and the chief of
    general staff Daniel Petrescu Tuesday took part in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, held in Brussels
    on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defence ministers. According to the
    Romanian defence ministry, since the start of Russia’s war of aggression
    against Ukraine, Romania has provided shelter and aid to over 3.5 million
    Ukrainian nationals who have transited the country, and has taken part in facilitating
    the transit of nearly 12 million tonnes of grains from Ukraine to global
    markets. Romania has stated repeatedly that the scope and regularity of the support
    given to Ukraine must be maintained. Also on the sidelines of the meeting of
    NATO defence ministers, Angel Tîlvăr had bilateral talks with his counterparts
    from the UK, Ben Wallace, and Spain, Margarita Robles Fernandez. They discussed
    the security situation in the Black Sea region and emphasised the need for
    substantial Allied contribution to ensuring the effectiveness and credibility
    of NATO’s defence posture on the eastern flank.


    INFLATION The National Bank of Romania has revised its inflation
    forecast for the end of this year from 11.2% estimated previously to 7%. According
    to the Quarterly Inflation Report made public today by the central bank
    governor Mugur Isarescu, at the end of 2024 the indicator will stand at 4.2%. Romania
    has consolidated its position in the EU in terms of inflation, with the 9th
    highest rate in the Union. Mugur Isărescu also said a balance must be achieved
    between fighting inflation and avoiding a possible recession, and added that
    the inflation forecast is marked by many uncertainties.


    FOOTBALL CFR Cluj, the only Romanian team still
    playing in the European competitions, Thursday takes on the Italian side Lazio Rome, away from home, in the
    playoffs for the Conference League’s eighth-finals. The second leg of this
    round is scheduled next week in Cluj-Napoca. According to a UEFA poll, the
    Romanians are most likely to win. This season CFR Cluj finished the group stage 2nd in a group that also
    included Sivasspor (Turkey), Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) and Ballkani
    (Kosovo), while Lazio ended up in the Conference League playoffs after
    finishing 3rd in its group, after Feyenoord (the Netherlands) and
    Midtjylland (Denmark). (AMP)

  • February 13, 2023 UPDATE

    February 13, 2023 UPDATE

    UN The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will be a main speaker on Tuesday in New York at the open debate of the
    UN Security Council on Threats to international peace and security:
    Sea-level rise: implications for international peace and security. Participants
    will discuss the risks posed by the rise in sea levels as a result of climate
    change and will explore ways to tackle these risks as part of the global
    security architecture. Romania’s presence in the UN Security Council
    consolidates Bucharest’s efforts to promote a rule-based international order
    and its role as an actor involved in the management of vital global problems,
    the Foreign Ministry says.


    MOLDOVA Moscow
    plans to force a change of the political power in the R. of Moldova in
    the forthcoming period, through violent actions
    designed to destabilise the country, Moldova’s president Maia Sandu said. According
    to her, Russia allegedly intends to use diversions, attacks on institutions and
    hostage taking. The plan was uncovered with the help of intelligence received
    from Kyiv, among others, Maia Sandu added. ‘The goal of these actions is to upset
    constitutional order, to replace the legitimate power in Chişinău with an
    illegitimate one, which will leave our country into the hands of Russia, to
    stop the European accession process and to ensure that Moldova can be used by
    Russia in the war against Ukraine,’ Maia Sandu said. Last Thursday in Brussels
    the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to EU leaders about such a
    plan put together by Russia.


    NATO Romania’s defence minister, Angel Tîlvăr, is taking part on Tuesday
    and Wednesday in Brussels in the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group
    and a meeting of the NATO defence ministers. The Allied defence ministers
    convene as part of the regular meeting schedule, and talks will primarily focus
    on continuing support for Ukraine, on the implementation of the decisions taken
    last July at the NATO Summit in Madrid and on preparing the decision package
    for the forthcoming Summit in Vilnius. The meeting begins on Tuesday night with
    an informal working meeting on security developments one year after the start of
    Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Invited to attend are also the defence
    ministers of Sweden, Finland and Ukraine, and the EU High Representative for
    Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.


    VISIT The Minister-President of Bavaria, Markus Soder, who is on a
    visit to Bucharest, Monday reiterated support for Romania’s Schengen accession,
    emphasising that over the past few years the country made substantial progress
    in fighting corruption and structural reforms. We support Romania on its path
    towards Schengen accession. It is very important that we, in Europe, understand
    that here in particular, given the situation with Ukraine and Russia, the
    challenges are at an entirely different level, he added. Markus Soder also
    voiced his appreciation for the support given by Romania to the Ukrainian
    refugees. Markus Soder was received in Bucharest by president Klaus Iohannis and
    PM Nicolae Ciuca. The 2 ministers signed a joint Statement on consolidating
    bilateral relations, which also stipulates the resumption of the works of a
    joint Romania – Bavaria governmental committee.


    ECONOMY Romania’s economy is expected to grow by 2.5% in 2023 and by
    3% in 2024, with the inflation rate standing at 9.7% this year and 5.5% next
    year, according to the European Commission’s winter forecast made public on
    Monday. According to the EC, the implementation of the National Recovery and
    Resilience Programme should contribute to massive investments in Romania, driving
    the economic growth this year.


    WRD Monday was World Radio Day, established as such by UNESCO in 2011.
    February 13 marks the first broadcast by the United Nations’ radio station,
    back in 1946. The theme of World Radio Day this year was Radio and
    Peace. On this occasion, Romanian artists showed their solidarity with
    Ukraine. At 9:30 a.m. on Monday, all Radio Romania channels aired the famous
    song Heal the World, released by Michael Jackson in the early 1990s. The
    broadcast of this song on World Radio Day is part of a series of events organised
    by Radio Romania to mark one year since the start of the war in the
    neighbouring Ukraine. (AMP)

  • February 8, 2023 UPDATE

    February 8, 2023 UPDATE

    EARTHQUAKE The massive earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday killed around
    12,000 people, according to the latest reports. Two-thirds of the total
    casualties are reported in Turkey. Tens of thousands of people were injured. In
    spite of the freezing cold, rescuers are struggling to find survivors. President Tayyip Erdogan declared
    disaster areas in the 10 provinces affected by the quakes, and introduced a
    3-month state of emergency. Seventy countries have so far provided support in
    the search and rescue operations. Romania joined the international aid efforts
    and sent nearly 120 search and
    rescue specialists, doctors and nurses, as well as search and rescue dogs.
    Many Romanian nationals have contacted the Embassy in Ankara to report the situation there, but few of them
    requested to be repatriated. Turkey is located in one of the world’s
    main seismic areas. In 1999, an
    earthquake occurring in Düzce, in the north of the country, killed over 17,000 people. As regards Syria, Romania is going to provide mostly humanitarian aid,
    following that country’s request to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.


    PATRIOT Romania has received a second Patriot system, out of the total
    four, that were contracted for the first stage of the country’s Air Force
    equipping programme. According to the defence minister Angel Tilvar, the four
    systems represent the first stage in achieving state-of-the-art ground-based
    air defence capability, which can be fully integrated into the NATO system.
    Patriot systems were first delivered to Romania in 2020, and 2023 is the year
    when the first stage of the equipping programme is to be fully completed,
    according to the Defence Ministry. The Patriot system is one of the most
    advanced air protection systems of the US military arsenal. It is a mobile
    system that usually includes a powerful radar, a control station, a power
    generator, launch stations and support vehicles.


    EU The European Council on Thursday will hold a summit in Brussels to
    discuss the war in Ukraine, the EU economy and migration. A video-conference
    chaired by the European Council President, Charles Michel, was held on Tuesday
    and was also attended by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who said talks
    focused on the support granted to Ukraine, consolidating the competitiveness of
    the EU economy and implementing concrete measures of combating illegal
    migration. Although Schengen enlargement is not officially on the agenda,
    President Iohannis might approach it informally in the plenary or during
    bilateral meetings with his counterparts.


    MOTION The Chamber of
    Deputies Wednesday dismissed the simple motion tabled by the opposition against
    the interior minister Lucian Bode. The document signatories accuse Bode of plagiarism
    and blame him for Romania’s failure to join the Schengen area. In Monday’s
    debates on the motion, Lucian Bode argued that the opposition’s claims were
    untrue and prompted by the forthcoming elections.This is the
    second failed motion against minister Bode, after the one in October.


    PROTESTS Members of the Sanitas Trade Union Federation Wednesday held
    protest rallies in Bucharest, for the 3rd consecutive day, picketing
    political party offices. Several hundred unionists from around the country
    protested against the Salaries Law and the under-financing of healthcare
    institutions and social assistance in Romania. The list of demands includes a
    minimum 15% pay raise. The unionists warned that unless the authorities meet
    their demands, further protests may be planned. (E.E., A.M.P.)

  • December 7, 2022

    December 7, 2022

    BUDGET
    The finance ministry has made public the draft state budget of Romania for next
    year. The document is based on an estimated GDP growth of 2.8%, an 8% inflation
    rate, a growing number of employees and a declining 2.7% unemployment rate. The
    ministries set to receive less money include the energy, justice and public
    healthcare, whereas the defence, development, transport and education
    ministries will receive substantially higher budget appropriations. The ruling
    coalition made up of the Social Democrats, and Liberals and the Democratic
    Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania intends to endorse the draft budget tomorrow
    and send it to Parliament the next day, for discussion next week.


    SECURITY Romania has constantly worked to
    identify solutions to enhance security at the Black Sea, the Romanian foreign
    minister Bogdan Aurescu said in Ankara on Tuesday, when he had
    a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Mervlut Cavusoglu. The two officials
    discussed the best avenues for cooperation, both at bilateral level and within
    the NATO framework. They finalised and agreed on the text of the political
    declaration setting up the Romania – Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation
    Council, organised as a regular meeting of the two countries’ governments and
    focusing on strategic areas of mutual interest, which will be launched in 2023.
    Another topic approached in the meeting was cooperation in the energy sector,
    recognised by both officials as a priority, particularly in light of the recent
    challenges. An agreement was reached to strengthen joint efforts to ensure the
    security of Romania’s energy supplies by transiting Turkish territory. Also,
    the multidimensional effects of the war in Ukraine have been analysed, with
    special attention paid to the refugee crisis and food security.


    JUSTICE The Romanian justice minister Cătălin Predoiu will
    take part in the meetings of the Justice and Home Affair Council and General
    Affairs Council of the European Union, between December 7th and 14th.
    According to a JHA Council news release, on the sidelines of the two meetings the
    justice minister will also have meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg with
    counterparts from other member countries and EU officials. At the JHA Council
    Mr. Predoiu will present Romania’s position with respect to the EU judicial
    instruments and policies in the judiciary currently on the Council’s agenda. The
    home affairs section of the Council is scheduled to make a decision regarding
    the accession of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia to the Schengen area.

    ECONOMY The GDP of the European Union saw a 0.4% growth and
    that of the Euro-zone a 0.3% increase in the 3rd quarter of this
    year compared to the previous quarter, with the most substantial growth rates
    reported for Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Romania, according to data released on
    Wednesday by Eurostat. The economic growth rate in Ireland was 2.3%, and in
    Cyprus, Malta and Romania 1.3%. The most substantial decline is reported for Estonia
    (negative 1.8%), Latvia (negative 1.7%) and Slovenia (negative 1.4%). Among EU
    member countries, the most significant annual growth rate is reported for
    Ireland (10.6%), Croatia (5.5%), Cyprus (5.4%), Malta (5.2%), Portugal (4.9%) and
    Romania (4.7%), the only negative rates being reported for Estonia (negative 2.3%)
    and Latvia (negative 0.4%).

    OIL Global oil
    prices dropped to the lowest level this year, in spite of the estimates of some
    international experts that expected the EU and G7 ban on Russian crude and the
    cap on crude prices to trigger market turbulence. In Romania, the lowest petrol
    price is EUR 1.3, and diesel is sold for EUR 1.54. On the other hand,
    neighbouring Hungary is facing a fuel crisis caused, according to AFP, by the
    price cap introduced by Viktor Orbán’s government a year ago. The fuel shortage
    comes in the context of a 30% decrease in imports as foreign companies cut down
    their sales to Hungary as a result of the price cap, the country’s association
    of independent petrol stations said.


    GAUDEAMUS The 29th
    edition of the ‘Gaudeamus’ Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania, kicked off in
    Bucharest today. Until Sunday, 200 participants will be exhibiting releases in
    various formats, addressing all age brackets and fields of interests, as well as music and educational games. 600 events have been announced in addition to
    various related projects. As a novelty, 2 areas have been arranged within the
    Fair, for interactive activities targeting the youngest visitors. Pavilions are
    also available online on gaudeamus.ro. The honorary president of this year’s
    edition is the writer Ana Blandiana.


    FOOTBALL In the FIFA
    World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday, in the round of 16, Portugal smashed Switzerland
    6-1, while Morocco scored a surprising win against Spain 3-0 on penalties. In the
    quarter-finals on Friday, the Netherlands will be up against Argentina, and
    Croatia takes on Brazil, while on Saturday England will be facing defending
    champions France and Morocco will take on Portugal. The semis are scheduled for
    December 13 and 14, and the final on December 18. (AMP)

  • December 2, 2022 UPDATE

    December 2, 2022 UPDATE

    VISIT The president of Romania Klaus
    Iohannis had a meeting in Athens on Friday with his Greek counterpart, Katerina
    Sakellaropoulou, who reiterated Greece’s full support for Romania’s Schengen
    accession. The two officials praised the very good relations between the two
    countries, strengthened by cultural affinities and by a long common history,
    and emphasized the close cooperation at EU, regional and international level. Given
    the current security situation generated by Russia’s illegal military
    aggression against Ukraine, they emphasized the importance of maintaining
    trans-Atlantic unity and solidarity and reiterated the support that their
    respective countries will continue to give to Ukraine and to Ukrainian refugees,
    as well as to the R. of Moldova. The Romanian president is in Greece for a
    2-day official visit.


    COMPANIES The number of new
    companies running on foreign capital set up in Romania in the first 10 months
    of the year is 30.7% higher than in the corresponding period of 2021, according
    to the National Trade Registry Office. The 6,175 new companies have a combined
    share capital of over USD 35 million. At the end of October 2022, 243,022
    companies in Romania had foreign share capital. The largest number of companies
    had Italian investors, but the highest capital value was reported for Dutch
    companies. In related news, Romania’s software industry is growing steadily,
    with the combined turnover in the sector expected to reach a record-high EUR 11
    billion this year. According to a survey, the upward trend has been steady for
    the past 10 years, and the growth rate almost tripled during this period. In
    2021 there were over 30,000 software firms in Romania.


    GAUDEAMUS The 29th edition of the
    Gaudeamus Book Fair hosted by Radio Romania kicks off next week.
    200 publishers will be exhibiting their latest and current releases in various
    formats, addressing all age brackets and fields of interests, music as well as
    educational games. 600 events have been announced in addition to various
    related projects. Pavilions are also available online on gaudeamus.ro. The
    Gaudeamus Book Fair is financed by the Ministry of Culture.


    POLITICS The National Congress of the Alliance for the Unity of
    Romanians (AUR), a nationalist party in opposition in Romania, Friday endorsed
    its political promotion strategy for 2023. It includes building a mobile
    hospital and organising medical caravans which would also present the party’s
    views on the main areas of interest. The party president, George Simion, added
    that some of the subsidies received by the party will be used for purchasing
    school buses. The head of the party’s National Council, Claudiu Târziu, said
    national reunification is AUR’s country project and requested the governments
    of Romania and of the R. of Moldova to initiate immediate consultations in this
    respect.


    SCHENGEN The Dutch government Friday decided to agree with Romania’s
    and Croatia’s Schengen accession, but will oppose the accession of Bulgaria, on
    grounds that the country does not meet the required conditions. The Swedish
    parliament’s committee for European affairs also voted in favour of Romania’s
    accession. The Romanian PM Nicolae Ciucă and the foreign minister Bogdan
    Aurescu hailed the decisions concerning Romania. A possible enlargement of the Schengen
    area is one of the topics on the agenda of the Justice and Home Affairs Council
    meeting due on December 8. (AMP)