Radio România Internațional

Tag: Day

December 23, 2024 UPDATE

GOVERNMENT The new government in Bucharest, headed by the social-democrat Marcel Ciolacu and made up of the pro-European parties PSD, PNL, UDMR and the group of the national minorities has got the investiture vote in Parliament. All the 16 members proposed to become part of the new Executive on Monday got the greenlight following the hearing in the Legislative’s specialized committees. The Prime Minister had said the new government would not resort to austerity measures, but public spending must be decent. The PNL interim leader Ilie Bolojan said that his party signed the agreement to form a stable government, which will carry out reforms during a difficult period. He announced that former Liberal leader Crin Antonescu is the coalition’s joint candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The UDMR president Kelemen Hunor says the current coalition seeks to gain people’s trust in order to overcome the political deadlock. However, the AUR MPs believe the programme presented by the PSD leader is unrealistic and the USR representatives say the new government does not meet the citizens’ expectations. Previously, the leaders of PSD, PNL, UDMR and the leader of the group of national minorities signed a political agreement to form a Parliament majority and a government. According to Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis, the new pro-European coalition stands good chances of continuing Romania’s good track record, following the undeniably good economic results obtained and the Schengen accession.

DAY In a message conveyed on Revolution Victory Day, President Klaus Iohannis said that Romania is “at a turning point” and must firmly reject attempts to revise history, which aim to “defame the memory of the heroes of democratic Romania and mystify the truth about the dictatorial regime”. The head of state pointed out that the freedom for which the heroes of the Revolution sacrificed themselves is “more alive and present than ever” today, 35 years on. A number of events were held throughout the country to mark the anti-communist revolution of 1989, with participants recalling protesters’ aspirations back then for democracy and a European path for Romania.

PARLIAMENT PSD MP Ciprian Șerban was on Monday elected Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in the new Parliament. The interim leader of PNL, Ilie Bolojan, was elected Senate Speaker. We recall that four pro-European parties entered Parliament – PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR – and three self-proclaimed sovereignist parties, AUR, SOS Romania and POT.

FORECAST The National Strategy and Forecast Commission has significantly downgraded its economic growth forecast for 2024 from 2.8% previously to 1%, amid an accelerated decline in activity, especially in industry and agriculture. The only sector with a positive estimated impact was services. In its autumn forecast, published in November, the European Commission estimates that the Romanian economy will report an economic slowdown this year, up to 1.4%, but the gradual recovery of external demand, the easing of financial conditions, resilient private consumption and an acceleration of investments will support economic growth up to 2.5% in 2025 and 2.9% in 2026.

(bill)

23 December 2024
In Chişinău, on the Romanian Language Day

The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, travelled this weekend to Chişinău, in the Republic of Moldova, to meet with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu, on the day when the Romanian language was celebrated on both sides of the river Prut.

The two officials laid flowers at poet Mihai Eminescu’s bust in the Stephen the Great Public Garden, and greeted the public.

Maia Sandu said the Romanian president’s visit to Chişinău on the Day of the Romanian Language, the language that connects the two countries, is a symbolic one. She also highlighted the constant support received from Romania in the fields of energy, economy, culture and education.

Maia Sandu: “The ties between the Republic of Moldova and Romania have always been robust, but today Chişinău and Bucharest have the strongest and most profound relationship in our history. We are grateful to Romania for its support in consolidating the resilience of the Republic of Moldova. The start of our EU accession negotiations this June would not have been possible without Romania’s comprehensive and consistent support.”

In turn, president Iohannis emphasised the importance of the Romanian language and Latin alphabet, as essential elements of identity and culture, and mentioned that Romanian is one of the official languages of the European Union. He reiterated Romania’s support for the security of Moldova and for its EU accession efforts.

Klaus Iohannis: “The Iaşi-Ungheni-Chişinău natural gas pipeline became fully operational in October 2021 and consolidated the energy security of the Republic of Moldova. We also have solid cooperation for the development of the energy transport infrastructure, with the Suceava-Bălţi interconnection as a concrete example in this respect. For many years now, Romania has been Moldova’s foremost trade partner. Romania’s strategic commitment to Moldova’s democratic development will remain unwavering in the long run.”

The Romanian official urged Moldovan citizens to choose to stay on the EU integration path at this autumn’s referendum, and called on all international partners to provide consistent support to Chişinău in this respect.

Iohannis and Sandu also signed a Joint Declaration on bilateral cooperation to consolidate the resilience of the Republic of Moldova. The document was signed “starting from the special nature of bilateral relations, based on the shared language, culture and history,” and it stipulates, among other things, that Romania pursues the goal of preparing Moldova for its EU accession in 2030 and of strengthening its defence potential against hybrid threats, disinformation and the undermining of democratic processes and the rule of law. (AMP)

2 September 2024
September 1, 2024 UPDATE

DIPLOMACY Diplomacy plays a crucial role in ensuring peace and a framework favourable for the development of the country, president Klaus Iohannis said on the Romanian Diplomacy Day, celebrated on September 1. In an international context marked by conflicts, crises and challenges to the rule-based international order by certain actors, Romania benefits from security and stability, and contributes to ensuring Europe’s security, thanks to a coherent and courageous foreign policy, guided by well defined and well applied principles and values, the president emphasised. In turn, PM Marcel Ciolacu said the role of Romania’s diplomacy is to make a contribution to the regional and global stability and security, as well as to protect and promote national interests and the interests of Romanian citizens. The foreign ministry will remain an institution that safeguards the interests of Romania, as a democratic, free and responsible EU member country and a trustworthy NATO Ally, the foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu said in her message on this occasion.

PENSIONS The ministry for labour and social solidarity has completed the revision of public pension benefits in time, and over 82% of pensioners will receive increased benefits as of September, according to a message posted by the institution on its Facebook account. More than 3.8 million people have had their pensions raised by an average 26.65%. The ministry reiterated that although decisions were issued under which certain pensioners’ benefits were cut down, this is only valid on paper and the higher amount will continue to be paid. Meanwhile, the Parliament of Romania resumes its sessions on Monday, and its agenda includes a bill raising the pension tax threshold from EUR 400 at present to EUR 600. The ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party decided to rush the new bill through Parliament, so that it may take effect on October 1.

FLOODS Rivers in Dobrogea (south-east) are under a code yellow alert for flash floods, Romanian weather experts warned on Sunday. The two counties in the region, Constanta and Tulcea, were under code yellow and orange alerts for heavy rainfalls and strong wind on Sunday as well. The heavy rainfalls in the past few days caused damage in the south-east of Romania. The most affected region was the Black Sea coast, where precipitations reached 200 litres per square metre, the equivalent of 6 months’ worth of rain. Agigea, Tuzla, Venus, Saturn, Mangalia and Vama Veche were among the most affected resorts.

INSURANCE Four out of 5 households in Romania are vulnerable to natural disasters, fire or explosion, according to data released by the National Insurers Union. Only 17% of the homes in Romania are protected by an optional insurance policy. Only 3 regions are above the national average—Bucharest-Ilfov, 29%, the west of the country, with 20%, and the centre of the country, 18%.

SCHOOLS The number of schools in Romania to use electronic class registers in the school year beginning on September 9 is 63% higher than last year. According to the education ministry, nearly 1,900 schools will use electronic registration, 733 more than in 2023. As many as 167 of them are in Bucharest. Under the law, they use private software or platforms, and cannot request students or their families to pay for these services. All electronic registers will have authentication options for teachers, students and parents.

STRIKE The families of the Israeli hostages in Gaza have called for an all-out strike, to push the government into reaching an agreement with the Hamas Palestinian terrorist group concerning the release of all hostages. Civil service personnel around the country responded by declaring a half-day strike as of Monday. The call for a strike was made after the Israeli army found the bodies of 6 Israeli hostages in a tunnel in Rafah, in the south of Gaza Strip. Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the hostage killing proved that Hamas was not interested in a deal, the BBC reports. (AMP)

1 September 2024
August 31, 2024

LANGUAGE The Romanian Language Day is celebrated today both in Romania and in the R. of Moldova, where this holiday was first introduced, to mark a return to the Romanian language and Latin alphabet in the former Soviet Republic. Special events are held on both sides of the river Prut. In a message posted on this occasion, president Klaus Iohannis said the Romanian language is not just a set of words, but a means to pass on an invaluable cultural heritage that we are leaving for the future generations to cherish and enrich. As Mr. Iohannis emphasised, since last year the Romanian language has also been the official language of Moldova, after a law was promulgated by president Maia Sandu, replacing the phrase “Moldovan language” with the phrase “Romanian language.” This has been essential to restoring a historic fact, namely that Romanians living on both sides of the river Prut share a common language, culture and history, Iohannis said. According to him, Romanian is studied in 59 universities in 37 countries in the world. Public reading sessions, art exhibitions, film screenings, music recitals are organised by Romanian cultural institutes around the world to mark the Romanian Language Day.

VISIT The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, and the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, signed in Chişinău on Saturday a joint declaration on bilateral cooperation to consolidate resilience in the Republic of Moldova. The document defines and strengthens bilateral cooperation in this critical area for consolidating and safeguarding democracy and stability in the neighbouring state. President Maia Sandu said Romania had invested massively in the development of Moldova and remained the staunchest supporter of its EU accession efforts at international level. In turn, Klaus Iohannis promised that Bucharest’s commitment to supporting Chisinau in any crisis, including in the energy sector, is firmer than ever. According to Iohannis, the hybrid war waged against the Republic of Moldova and its citizens is growing more intense and taking ever more severe forms. Romania will be the most reliable and active supporter of Moldova’s EU accession efforts, and I encourage all international partners to provide consistent and long-term support to this country and its citizens, Iohannis added. His visit to Chişinău took takes place as Romania and Moldova celebrate the Romanian Language Day on August 31.

RATING Fitch Rating Friday reconfirmed Romania’s long- and short-term foreign-currency government debt rating at BBB-/F3 with a stable outlook, the finance ministry reports. According to the institution, the decision is supported by the capital inflow from the European Union, which sustains the country’s income convergence, foreign financing and macroeconomic stability, as well as a positive trend in the GDP per capita and in governance and human development indices, which are above ‘BBB’ category peers. The international institution’s decision reconfirms the confidence in the measures taken by the Romanian government to ensure public funding sustainability, the finance minister Marcel Boloş said. On the other hand, these strengths are balanced against large budget and current account deficits relative to peers, high budget rigidities, and a fairly high net external debtor position. The agency expects Romania’s economy to grow by 2.5% this year.

ENESCU As of today, the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest is hosting the 19^th edition of the George Enescu International Competition, one of the best known and most prestigious competitions in international classical music. Until September 27, some of the world’s best performers, as well as up-and-coming artists and orchestras, will come together in Bucharest. Three competitions are held: cello, violin and piano. The novelty of the 2024 edition are the master classes. Held between September 23 and 27, they consist in conducting, violin, piano and cello workshops, coordinated by Maestro Cristian Măcelaru. The world-acclaimed Romanian artist is, among other things, the musical director of the National Orchestra of France, and of the Cincinnati Symphonic Orchestra. The opening concert, the 3 competition finals, 5 recitals given by jury members and by winners of previous editions, as well as the closing concert, will be aired live by Radio Romania Music. At the suggestion of Radio Romania Music, the 2024 George Enescu International Competition’s opening concert is included in the Euroradio Summer Season, one of the most important projects of the European Broadcasting Union, which airs concerts and recitals from the most important European festivals. The George Enescu International Competition was launched in September 1958. Alternating with the George Enescu International Festival, the Competition quickly grew into one of the most valuable events of this kind in Europe, and since 2002 it has been a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. (AMP)

31 August 2024
Romanian-Polish Solidarity Day

The Romanian-Polish Solidarity Day was established last year at the joint initiative of the two countries’ foreign ministers at that time, Bogdan Aurescu and Zbigniew Rau respectively. So on Sunday, 3 March 2024, Romania and Poland celebrated this day for the first time ever, with events that reflect the partnership between the two nations founded on a shared historical experience and the willingness to further strengthen bilateral relations, reads a joint press release issued by the two foreign ministries.

The celebration of Romanian-Polish Solidarity Day is proof of the traditional friendship between the two countries and of the shared commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and their cooperation within the European Union and NATO, the Romanian government also posted on its X account.

It is not a coincidence that this celebration is marked for the first time in 2024. This is the year when the two countries celebrate 105 years of diplomatic relations, 85 years of asylum granted by Romania to the Polish government, which fought on against the Nazi German invader outside the country; 35 years of the fall of communism and democratic transition in Central and Eastern Europe, and the 15th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership.

Ahead of the celebration, internationally acclaimed Romanian artists, including the Vienna-based pianist Adela Liculescu, the soprano Alexandra Zamfira, who currently lives in Spain, and the violinist Alexandru Tomescu, who plays a Stradivarius Elder-Voicu 1702 violin, performed at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, in a preview to the 2024-2025 Romania-Poland Cultural Season.

In turn, this past weekend Bucharest hosted the opening of a photography exhibition at the Romanian Peasant Museum, and a recital by the Polish jazz pianist Leszek Leszek Mozdzer at the Romanian Athenaeum.

Scores of other events, from exhibitions to concerts and from theatre performances to film screenings and book launches and readings, are scheduled to take place between June 2024 and October 2025, as part of the Cultural Season.

The motto, “We speak the same language,” is a reference to the language of culture as an instrument of knowledge and of understanding between people, in a variety of forms, means of expression and traditions.

The Cultural Season’s visual identity is the outcome of cooperation between the graphic design students at the National University of Arts in Bucharest (UNArte) and the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, with the logo based on the diacritics specific to the two respective languages. (AMP)

4 March 2024
February 13, 2024 UPDATE

VISIT The PM
of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, will be on an official visit to Rome on February
14-15, and will take part in the 3rd joint government meeting of Romania and
Italy, held 13 years after the previous inter-governmental summit. PM Ciolacu
will have meetings with the PM of Italy, Georgia Meloni, and will attend a
meeting of the 2 official delegations and the signing of bilateral documents. His
agenda also includes talks with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and a
meeting with the Romanian community in Italy. Italy is one of Romania’s most
important economic partners, and the Economic Forum focusing on areas such as IT&C,
energy, the processing industry, infrastructure and the agri-food industry is
another excellent opportunity to improve our economic cooperation, PM Marcel
Ciolacu said. Marcel Ciolacu will also be received by His Holiness Pope Francis
at the Vatican.

INTERESTS The
National Bank of Romania Tuesday decided to keep the monetary policy interest
rate at 7% per year, the institution announced. The central bank will also keep
the credit facility interest rate at 8% per year and the deposit facility
interest rate at 6% per year, and also maintain the current levels of the
compulsory minimum reserve rates for banks’ national and foreign currency
liabilities. The key interest rate has not been changed since last January, when
the National Bank decided to raise it from 6.75% to 7% per year. A balanced mix
of macroeconomic policies and structural reforms, including the use of EU
funding to encourage the country’s growth potential in the long run, are vital
to maintaining macroeconomic stability and to strengthening the Romanian
economy’s capacity to withstand negative developments, the institution said. An
updated forecast by the central bank reconfirms the prospects of an increase of
the annual inflation rate in the first months of this year, following the
increase of existing indirect taxes and the introduction of new ones, and of a
subsequent downward trend, at a slower pace than in 2023 and than originally
expected.

CYBERSECURITY On Tuesday 4 more hospitals in
Bucharest and elsewhere in the country were added to the list of 21 public and
private healthcare units affected since last weekend by a large-scale cyber
security incident, the National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC) announced. A crypto
currency ransom demand has been received, amounting to approx. EUR 157,000, but
the attackers only provided an email address, without disclosing the name of
the group claiming the attack. Both the DNSC and other cyber security
authorities involved urge the victims not to contact the perpetrators and not
to pay the ransom. The healthcare minister, Alexandru Rafila, has told Radio
Romania that some of the hospitals have managed to fix the problems, and the
authorities will come up with a new technical standard designed to prevent such
actions. Other public institutions in Romania have been targeted by cyber-attacks
in the past.

FARMERS On
Tuesday the European Commission officially endorsed a regulation which grants a
partial exemption for farmers from the rule binding them to keep 4% of their
arable land fallow. In exchange, they are required to grow nitrogen fixing
crops such as lentils or peas. The measure comes after large-scale farmer
protests across the EU, including in Romania. Member States who wish to apply
the derogation at national level need to notify the Commission within 15 days
of entry into force of the Regulation so that farmers can be informed as soon
as possible.

WRD World Radio Day was celebrated on Tuesday, and this year’s theme
was A century of information, entertainment and education. To mark this
celebration, Radio Romania’s stations broadcast interviews with journalists,
media experts, teachers, public figures and listeners, and their programmes
featured debates on the future of radio and broadcasts from the European
Broadcasting Union. The UNESCO declaration on World Radio Day, entitled Radio,
the Trusted Guide in a Changing World, can be found on the websites of all
Radio Romania’s stations.

WRESTLING The
Romanian athlete Denis Florin Mihai won the bronze in the Greco-Roman style 55
kilo category of the European Wrestling Championship in Bucharest on Tuesday, after
defeating Georgia’s Nugzari Tsurtsumia. Mihai ranks 4th in the world
standings and was the bronze winner in last year’s European Championships. Romania
takes part in the event in Bucharest with 30 athletes, 10 in each style.

POLO Romania’s men’s water polo team will play for the 9th
place at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, after defeating China 9-7 on Tuesday. In
the match for the 9th and 10th places, scheduled on
February 15, Romania takes on the USA. Romania finished 8th last
month in the European Championships held in Croatia, and the team’s best performance
to date at a World Championship is a 5th place in 1975. (AMP)

13 February 2024
Romanian Army Day

The Romanian Army Day was celebrated on October 25
with various military and religious ceremonies organised in the main military
units in the country, as well as in the theatres of operations where Romanian
troops are deployed.

These are times when global peace and the security climate
are threatened by regional conflicts able to escalate, and in this context the
role of the Romanian Army in ensuring national and regional security is all the
more important, the country’s top officials emphasised on this occasion.

In his address, the president of Romania highlighted
that Europe was facing the worst crisis since WWII as a result of the Russian
Federation’s invasion of Ukraine and of the October 7 terrorist attack against
Israel, which threatens to fully destabilise the Middle East in the long run.

Klaus Iohannis: The Romanian troops, as well as the
Allies deployed to Romania, whom I also thank on this occasion, are key
elements in maintaining the NATO deterrence and defence posture at the Black
Sea, a region of strategic importance for the Euro-Atlantic zone.

The worsening of the regional security situation was
also mentioned by PM Marcel Ciolacu. It is one more reason to have an army able
to handle the new challenges, Marcel Ciolacu said:

Marcel Ciolacu: Discouraging and fighting efficiently
the various types of threats we are facing can only be achieved with massive
investment in equipment as well. This is why as of this year we have earmarked 2.5%
of GDP to the defence sector.

A professional soldier, with experience in the theatres
of operations where Romania is present together with its allies, the former PM
Nicolae Ciucă, currently the speaker of the Senate, mentioned that the Romanian
Army is a respected institution in the country and an appreciated one abroad:

Nicolae Ciucă: While it may sound paradoxical, our
troops are the ones with the highest respect for peace, and are prepared to
safeguard it at the cost of their own lives. The Romanian Army as we know it
today enjoys a good standing among the NATO and EU members.

In his turn, the defence minister Angel Tîlvăr
mentioned that the Army is already up to NATO standards in many respects, while
the deputy secretary general of the North-Atlantic Alliance Mircea Geoană sent
a message highlighting that the borders of the Romanian state are safer than
ever, in spite of the war near it and the multiple current crises. The NATO official
also mentioned that the importance of this day for the entire nation has to do
with the patriotism and sacrifice of the Romanian soldiers, past and present.

The events held in the capital city on Army Day were
concluded with a traditional torch parade, a symbolic ceremony signifying the
Romanian troops’ loyalty and sacrifice for the motherland. (AMP)

26 October 2023
August 16, 2023 UPDATE

SECURITY Romanias security has been consolidated and the efforts to strengthen NATO structures on national territory, especially the NATO battle group established in 2022, will carry on, said President Klaus Iohannis, who attended the Navy Day ceremonies in Constanta on Tuesday. In turn, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu promised that the government would earmark the resources required for equipping and modernising the Romanian Naval Forces. Security at the Black Sea ensures the stability of the entire region and turns Romania into an important security provider, the speaker of the Senate, Nicolae Ciucă, also said.

ECONOMY The EU economy grew 0.5% and the Eurozone economy went up 0.6% in Q2 2023, compared to the corresponding period in 2022, with Ireland and Romania reporting the most significant growth rates, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday by the European Statistics Office (Eurostat). Among the EU member countries for which data are available, the highest growth rates in April-June 2023 are reported in Ireland (2.8%), Romania (2.7%), Cyprus and Portugal (2.3%), while the most important negative rates were in Estonia (-3%), Sweden (-2.4%), Hungary (-2.3%) and Poland (-1.3%). Across the ocean, the US GDP went up 0.6% compared to the previous 3 months and 2.6% against the corresponding quarter last year.

BACCALAUREATE Nearly 34,000 high school graduates in Romania, sitting the second session of this years Baccalaureate exam, Wednesday had the Romanian language and literature test, with papers graded digitally for the first time. The tests are scanned and uploaded on a platform, where they are assigned for grading to teachers in any part of the country except for the county where the student went to high school. The two tests in students major subjects are scheduled for August 17th and 18th. In order to pass the exam, candidates need an overall grade of at least 6 in their written tests. In the first Baccalaureate session, 75% of the candidates passed the exam.

TRAFFIC Over 2.2 million Romanians and foreigners crossed Romanias borders during the Assumption of Mary holiday period, up 24% compared to the corresponding period of last year, the Romanian Border Police announced. The most crowded checkpoints were those on the Hungarian and Bulgarian borders, and those in airports. During the same period, border police issued fines totalling over EUR 60,000 and seized assets of over EUR 600,000. More than 100 Romanian nationals were denied exit and 90 foreign nationals were not allowed to enter the country for various reasons.

UKRAINE The Romanian Defence Ministry strongly condemns the repeated strikes by Russian armed forces targeting critical infrastructure in Ukraine and regions inhabited by civilians in that country. The statement comes after on Wednesday morning the Danube River ports in Izmail and Reni, near the border with Romania, were hit by drone strikes. The war of aggression started by Russia against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, says the Defence Ministry, also adding that it has enhanced the monitoring of Romanias national territory and its maritime and airspace, jointly with NATO forces, to strengthen defence on the entire eastern flank and to deter possible aggressions against NATO member countries. (AMP)

16 August 2023
On European Values

‘The anniversary this year finds
us at a moment of deep change at global level and the consequences of the
Russian Federation’s war on Ukraine have multiplied’ Romanian president Klaus
Iohannis said in his address on Europe Day, May 9.

According to him, the European
solutions to the present-day challenges are solutions for the future of the
citizens of this continent and Romania has the capability of significantly
contributing to their implementation. Romania is a mature and responsible
member of the European Union, has a solid and credible European profile,
acknowledged and appreciated by its partners – Klaus Iohannis went on to
say.

The president has also voiced hope
that by interiorizing these reference points, the Romanian citizens will
continue to have an unflinching support for the EU’s fundamental values.

The European Parliament convened in a
plenary sitting and celebrated Europe Day in Strasbourg. Invited to present his
vision on the challenges and the future of the old continent, German chancellor
Olaf Scholz, whose country laid the foundations in the early 50s to what was to
become the EU, he urged the bloc to reform itself, not to cave in to pressure
and remain geopolitically an equal partner both in the relation with the USA
and the competition with China.

And since an aggression war is being
waged in the EU’s vicinity, a war that has changed lives, the European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated Europe Day through a visit
to Kyiv where she said, quote: Ukraine has been fighting for the ideals that
we celebrate today to create lasting unity and peace. Von der Leyen added that
Russia has dramatically failed and Ukraine is fighting back successfully.

Furthermore, the EU official announced
the EU would impose an eleventh package of sanctions on Russia soon aimed at
eroding Putin’s war machine and his revenues. She responded cautiously though
to president Zelensky’s request on stepping up the country’s EU accession
negotiations.

The Ukrainian president has thanked
all the European states for the military, economic and political support
granted to Ukraine but showed disappointment regarding the restrictions imposed
by some neighboring countries to the exports of Ukrainian grain. Romania was
not among them. Zelensky says that he understands those exports have caused
imbalances but Ukraine needs the solidarity of all those who can help it.

(bill)

10 May 2023
May 10, 2023

EDUCATION Trade
unions in Romanian public education organise a protest rally in Bucharest today, as a way to sound
the alarm on the problems facing the Romanian education sector. The unions demand pay raises in the sector, as well as an
annual increase in investments in order to improve the relevant infrastructure
and equipment. Unionists also warn that a poll
is under way among education staff, with respect to an all-out strike starting
on May 22. Meanwhile, new draft
education laws are being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies for a first vote,
after the specialist committee introduced a number of amendments to the
original bills, including a national plan to curb violence in schools.

VISIT The PM of the Republic of Korea, Han
Duck-Soo, is on a visit to Bucharest today, and is scheduled to have meetings
with president Klaus Iohannis and with PM Nicolae Ciucă. The 2 prime ministers
are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Romanian Maritime Port
Authority and the Busan Port Authority. The Korean official is also scheduled
to have a meeting with the Chamber of Deputies speaker, Marcel Ciolacu.

DEFENCE The Romanian chief of defence,
general Daniel Petrescu, is taking part today and tomorrow in the meetings of
the NATO Military Committee and the EU Military Committee, respectively. Defence
chiefs from the 31 Allied states, with the Swedish chief of defence as a guest,
will look at the dynamics of the war in Ukraine. Talks will focus on analysing
the implementation of measures aimed at strengthening NATO’s defence and deterrence
posture, ahead of the decisions to be made at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The
participants will also look at ways to continue supporting Ukraine. Another
major topic of the meeting is the analysis of member and partner states’
participation in EU missions and operations.

INDEPENDENCE Romania celebrates its
National Independence Day today. On May 10, 1877, Prince Carol I, who would
subsequently become the first king of Romania, signed the country’s
Proclamation of Independence from the Ottoman Empire. The document had been
read in Parliament the day before by the foreign minister Mihail Kogălniceanu, and
endorsed by Parliament’s two chambers. The occasion is celebrated in Bucharest
with a ceremony at the Heroes Monument in front of the National Defence
University, while military and religious ceremonies are also held in cities
across the country.

EUROPE In a message on Europe Day, celebrated on May
9, president Klaus Iohannis said Romania is a mature and responsible member
state, with a solid and credible European profile, recognised and appreciated
by our partners. In turn, PM Nicolae Ciucă said Romania is part of the
solution to the security challenges that the EU is facing, and that now is the
time for Romania to be acknowledged as a full Schengen member.

TRANSPORT The European Commission for
Transport, Adina Vălean, is in Romania today and tomorrow, to hand over to
Romanian beneficiaries 2 grants for military mobility, in Constanta, in the presence of the
Romanian transport minister Sorin Grindeanu, the European Commission announced.
The two projects concern the design and building of the Ungheni bridge and
upgrading the railway infrastructure in the port of Constanţa, a critical
element of the EU – Ukraine solidarity lanes. (AMP)

10 May 2023
On gender equality

The rise in intimidation,
harassment and hate speech against women and girls, including online, requires
immediate and firm action, reads a joint statement signed by over 20 embassies
and the representative office of the European Commission in Romania on March 8, the International
Women’s Day.

We celebrate the
achievements regarding substantive gender equality and the progress
accomplished so far in securing the rights of women and girls all over the
globe. At the same time, we must acknowledge that much remains to be done until
women and girls can fully exercise their human rights, the statement reads.
According to the document, Ensuring
women’s full, equal, effective and meaningful participation in all spheres of
public and private life, including their political representation and
leadership in decision-making processes, is essential to achieving gender
equality.

The signatories also
emphasise that women and girls have the right to live free from violence and discrimination.
However, violence against women and girls is the most common human rights
violation as almost 1 in 3 women has experienced, at least once in her life, physical
and/or sexual violence – a fact unchanged for over a decade. (…) Access to
comprehensive support services and to justice for victims and survivors of
sexual and gender-based violence has to be ensured, they argue.

The fact that women are
not adequately represented in national parliaments and governments, including in
Romania, is not good for democracy, the European Commissioner for Equality Helena
Dalli said in her turn. Early this week, she was on an official visit to
Bucharest, to attend a conference on empowering women in Romania. As the EU
official put it, all women must have financial and economic independence; we must
recognise and appreciate the work and contribution of women, and we must give
them the tools to achieve balance between their personal and professional
lives, she added.

Helena Dalli also pointed
out that in Romania 46% of women, as against only 25% of men, are the primary
care givers to children, elders or disabled members of their families. A fair
sharing of responsibilities would help men and women to have equal
opportunities to work without sacrificing their family life, the EU
Commissioner explained, while also saying that women currently earn an average
30% less per hour than men.

She also discussed the high teenage
pregnancy rate in Romania, which propagates
poverty, and the discrimination against Roma people, both in terms of gender
and ethnicity. The EU official described the situation in which Roma live in
many communities in the European Union as ‘scandalous’ and ‘unacceptable’.

And she also mentioned
that the violation of the rights of people in the LGBTIQ community is contrary
to the spirit of the European Union and warned that EU funding
should not reach the local authorities in areas where these people are
excluded. (AMP)

9 March 2023
March 8, 2023

VISIT President Klaus Iohannis Wednesday had meetings with the local
authorities of Kyoto. In this context, he said Romania and Japan are closer
than ever, and voiced his hope that Kyoto and a city in Romania will soon become
twin towns. It is important that we rely on each other to safeguard the
fundamental values that define us-the will for peace and security, freedom,
democracy and human rights, and a rule-based international order, the Romanian
president said. In turn, the Japanese officials praised Romania as an important
partner for Japan, sharing fundamental values like freedom, democracy and the
rule of law. The talks were the last stage in the Romanian president’s visit to
Japan. The main goal of the Asian tour was to elevate the bilateral relation to
a strategic partnership level. A document in this respect, the outcome of 5
years of negotiations and consultations, was signed on Tuesday in Tokyo, during
a meeting with the Japanese PM, Fumio Kishida. The head of the Romanian state
was also received by Emperor Naruhito. On Thursday and Friday Klaus Iohannis will
be on a state visit to Singapore, where he is scheduled to have talks with
president Halimah Yacob and PM Lee Hsien Loong.

GOVERNMENT The
reforms under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will be completed, the finance
minister Adrian Câciu promised the Senate. Speaking at the Government Hour today,
he also said economic performance is good and the budget deficit will be narrowed.
According to minister Câciu, Romania has a structural deficiency and permanent
expenses that require higher financing. As for interest rates, they are becoming
more stable as the inflation rate is also coming under control. The minister’s
presence in Parliament was requested by Save Romania Union in opposition, which
asked minister Câciu to explain why Romania’s budget deficit has reached
record-high levels, and financing costs are among the highest in the EU. The
USR Senator Anca Dragu warned that Romania has borrowed huge amounts, at very
high interest rates, which Romanians will have to repay for the next 30 years.
The AUR Senator Claudiu Târziu said in his turn that in his opinion the finance
ministry’s forecasts are empty words, and citizens are still overburdened with
taxes.

WOMEN Women in public life, including journalists,
human rights activists and women in politics, are particularly targeted by
intimidation, hate speech and sexual harassment, reads a joint statement signed
by over 20 embassies in Bucharest and the representative office of the European
Commission in Romania. In their message on International Women’s Day on March
8, the signatories say these practices require firm and immediate response, and
the perpetrators must be held accountable. The text also reiterates commitment
to ensuring gender equality and to fully respecting and safeguarding the rights
of women as human rights. We call on all states to do the same: gender equality
and equity benefit not only girls and women, but society as a whole, men and
boys included, the embassies and the representative office of the European
Commission in Romania point out. The signatories include the embassies of Austria,
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Republic of Korea and the
US.

FAIR A Spring Fair has been opened in Bucharest today,
as part of a larger campaign to promote Romanian produce and to improve
Romanians’ access to locally-sourced, high-quality foodstuff. Taking part in
the Fair are over 30 local producers from north-western and central Romania,
selling meat and dairy products, fruit and vegetables, preserves and drinks. Traditional
music and dance performances will also be organised during the 5-day long event.

DANUBE Ukraine will cease all dredging on the Danube’s
Chilia branch and Bystroe Canal, the Romanian transport ministry announced
after the trilateral meeting in Ismail, Ukraine, attended by representatives of
Romania, Ukraine and the European Commission. Also, on March 15, measurements
will begin on Chilia and Bystroe. The EU officials agreed with Romania’s
requests and emphasised that the top priority is to improve the capacity of the
other Danube branch, Sulina, given that over half of the cargo transport from
Ukraine via so-called solidarity corridors takes place on the Danube. Ukraine
has recently conducted dredging described as legal, maintenance operations, but
Romania argues that dredging went significantly over the allowed depth of 3.5m,
which would have a major impact on the Danube Delta ecosystem, currently a UNESCO
world heritage site.

TALKS The Romanian Foreign
Minister Bogdan Aurescu and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken Monday
discussed over the phone about priority topics for the bilateral Strategic
Partnership, in the context of the war in Ukraine. The 2 officials
appreciated the frequency of Romanian-American meetings over the past year as a
indication of the level and depth of the strategic partnership between the 2
countries. The agenda of the talks also included the strengthening of NATO’s
eastern flank, the new US strategy for the Black Sea and the situation in the Republic
of Moldova. Bogdan Aurescu also reiterated the importance of including Romania
in the Visa Waiver programme. (AMP)

8 March 2023
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)

13 February 2023
December 1, 2022 UPDATE

NATIONAL DAY Romania celebrated on Thursday 104 years since the Great
Union of December 1, 1918. In the capital city Bucharest, over 1,500 troops and
staff of the defence ministry, interior ministry, the Romanian Intelligence
Service, the Special Telecommunications Service and the Penitentiary Agency as
well as vehicles and 40 aircraft took part in a military parade. Ceremonies were
also organised abroad, where Romanian troops are deployed. National Day events were
also held elsewhere in the country and abroad. The Romanian Cultural Institute
organises 50 events until December 10, to celebrate National
Day in 31 cities in the world. Romania’s national day has been celebrated on December 1 since 1990.
On this day in 1918, the National Assembly in Alba Iulia adopted a resolution
regarding the union of all provinces inhabited by Romanians.

MESSAGES Romanians need tangible and immediate progress to improve
their living standards and wellbeing, president Klaus Iohannis said, and urged
the authorities to use all the instruments they have available to this goal. At
a reception given on National Day, he also emphasised that Romania is a pillar
of security in a geopolitical area marked by uncertainty, and a stable country
that has made significant progress in recent years. Let us prove that December
1 is truly the day of our unity, the PM Nicolae Ciucă said in a message on
National Day. Today, just like at the end of the First World War, the main
topics on the national agenda are security, stability and the modernisation of
Romania. Unlike in 1918, today we have European funds for reforms and
development and the protection provided by NATO, the most powerful military
alliance in history, the PM posted on Facebook on Thursday. On behalf of the
United States of America, I congratulate the people of Romania as you celebrate
Great Union Day, and I wish them a very happy national day, the US
secretary of state Antony Blinken also said in a message on this occasion. The
US official emphasised that 2022 is a special year, as it marks the
25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the U.S. and Romania. The
Ukrainian foreign ministry also sent a message congratulating the Romanian
people and calling for unity for peace and solidarity in Europe.

VISIT The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis will be on an official
visit to Greece on Friday and Saturday. He will have meetings with his Greek
counterpart, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and with the PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to the Presidency, the agenda will include talks about the potential
for development of the two countries’ relations in the economic and investment
sectors, as well as in culture, education, civil protection and tourism.
Special attention will be paid to infrastructure and inter-connection projects,
including in the energy sector, in order to minimize the dependence on Russian
natural gas and to improve Romania’s and Greece’s energy security.

SCHENGEN The Justice and Home Affairs Council included on the agenda of its
December 8-9 meeting topics related to the Schengen area. Specifically, the EU
justice and interior ministers will discuss the full application of the
Schengen acquis in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, which seek admission in the
passport-free travel area. Romania has been trying to join Schengen for more than 10 years. European
Commission experts found that Bucharest meets all EU border security standards.
Romania’s accession will increase Europe’s security, rather than be a danger
for the member states, Bucharest has repeatedly assured the few countries that
are still reluctant to the idea.

UNESCO The Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of
the Intangible Cultural Heritage, convening in Rabat, Morocco, decided to
include the file The Art of the Traditional Blouse with Embroidery on the
Shoulder (Altiță) – an Element of Cultural Identity of Romania and the Republic
of Moldova in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on Thursday by the MP Ana-Maria
Cătăuţă, chair of the parliament’s special committee for UNESCO. The Romanian
blouse, as everybody knows it, […] is one of the identity elements that give us
strength and power, the Deputy Ana-Maria Cătăuţă said in a news release.

OSCE The Romanian
foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu took part on Thursday in a meeting of the
Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
held in Lodz, Poland. The Romanian diplomacy chief condemned the atrocities
committed by Russia against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Romanian official reiterated the call for Moscow to immediately and
unconditionally end its military aggression and to pull out its troops and
equipment from Ukraine. Mr. Aurescu also spoke about the bilateral and
international support for the R. of Moldova, heavily affected by the war in Ukraine. (AMP)

1 December 2022
December 1, 2022

NATIONAL DAY Romania celebrates
today 104 years since the Great Union of December 1, 1918. In the capital city
Bucharest, over 1,500 troops and staff of the defence ministry, interior
ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications
Service and the Penitentiary Agency as well as vehicles and 40 aircraft will
take part in a military parade. According to the defence ministry, foreign
troops from Belgium, France, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Portugal,
USA and the Netherlands, as well as representatives of Allied countries
contributing to NATO structures deployed in Romania will also be attending. All
military institutions in the country and all vessels are flying the national
flag. Ceremonies are also organised abroad, where Romanian troops are deployed.
In the 2 world wars alone, the Romanian Army lost over 1,230,000 troops and
officers. National Day events are also held elsewhere in the country and
abroad. The Romanian Cultural Institute organises 50 events until December 10, to celebrate National
Day in 31 cities in the world. Romania’s national day has been celebrated on December 1 since 1990.
On this day in 1918, the National Assembly in Alba Iulia adopted a resolution
regarding the union of all provinces inhabited by Romanians.

MESSAGES Let us prove
that December 1 is truly the day of our unity, a day of all those whose hearts tremble
before the national colours, the PM Nicolae Ciucă says in a message on National
Day. Today, just like at the end of the First World War, the main topics on
the national agenda are security, stability and the modernisation of Romania.
Unlike in 1918, today we have European funds for reforms and development and
the protection provided by NATO, the most powerful military alliance in
history, the PM posted on Facebook on Thursday. On behalf of the United
States of America, I congratulate the people of Romania as you celebrate Great
Union Day, and I wish them a very happy national day, the US secretary of
state Antony Blinken also says in a message on this occasion. The US official
emphasises that 2022 is a special year, as it marks the 25th
anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the U.S. and Romania. The
Ukrainian foreign ministry also sent a message congratulating the Romanian
people and calling for unity for peace and solidarity in Europe.

SURVEY For 9 out of
10 Romanians in the Diaspora it is important to stay connected to their home
country through Romanian or Romanian-language media, says a survey by Google concerning
the use of technology by the Romanians living abroad. Over 70% of them follow
Romanian content frequently (at least 2 or 3 times a week). According to the
survey, 57% of the Romanians living abroad listen to Romanian music, 56% use
social network, 53% watch Romanian TV channels, 51% read Romanian online
publications and 26% listen to Romanian radio stations. The survey involved
Romanian internet users aged over 18, living in Germany, Spain, Italy and the
UK, between November 11 and 16, 2022.

OSCE The Romanian
foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part today in a meeting of the
Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
held in Lodz, Poland, the country that holds the rotating presidency of the organisation.
The meeting takes place in the context of the biggest security crisis in Europe
since World War II, caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Romanian
diplomacy chief will condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s unjustified and
unprovoked military aggression, and will highlight Romania’s support for the
international efforts to bring the culprits to justice. Romania’s full
solidarity with Ukraine and its people was also reiterated by Bogdan Aurescu at
the meeting of NATO foreign ministers which concluded in Bucharest on Wednesday.
Aurescu also mentioned Romania’s multidimensional support, with an emphasis on
the humanitarian aid provided to the more than 2.9 million Ukrainian nationals
that crossed Romania’s borders, as well as the facilitation of grain and
foodstuff transit from Ukraine.

ASPEN Romania has all
the resources, particularly the human resources necessary for creating the new
technologies of the future, the Romanian minister for research Sebastian
Burduja said. He added that progress in the right direction depends on
regulation and funding, particularly in early stages, and that many start-ups
fail not because they lack ideas, but access to capital. Minister Sebastian
Burduja Wednesday took part in the Aspen Forum held in Bucharest. The 11th
edition of the event was organised by the Aspen Institute Romania and the
German Marshall Fund, with NATO support and co-financing from the EU and the US
Agency for International Development.

UNESCO The
Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage, convening in Rabat, Morocco, decided to include the file The Art of
the Traditional Blouse with Embroidery on the Shoulder (Altiță) – an Element of
Cultural Identity of Romania and the Republic of Moldova in the UNESCO
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement
was made today by the MP Ana-Maria Cătăuţă, chair of the parliament’s special
committee for UNESCO. The Romanian blouse, as everybody knows it, […] is one
of the identity elements that give us strength and power, the Deputy Ana-Maria
Cătăuţă said in a news release. (AMP)

1 December 2022