SUMMIT – The interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, on Thursday called for an increase of Europe’s role in maintaining peace on the continent, support for Ukraine and the increase of defense spending. On the sidelines of the special EU summit hosted by Brussels, president Bolojan discussed with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Romania’s priorities in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the increase of the absorption of European funds. “We also conveyed our support for the initiatives of the European Commission in the field of defense and competitiveness”, Ilie Bolojan wrote on social media. Upon meeting with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Ilie Bolojan said that Romania intends to continue the “excellent collaboration” with the community legislature. Ilie Bolojan attended an extraordinary European Council summit, where the heads of state and government of the European Union pledged to support Ukraine, in the context of US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and to spend more on defense. The head of the European Commission said that Europe is at a crossroads and stressed the importance of Europe defending itself through a massive increase in defense spending but also by helping Ukraine achieve a lasting and fair peace. The European Commission president presented an €800 billion EUR package devoted to defense investments. In turn, the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, assured European leaders that Parliament can move quickly and efficiently to respond to the unprecedented security challenges we see today. “Peace must guarantee freedom for Ukraine, security for Europe and deterrence for those who believe they can take it by force”, the European Parliament president further noted. Attending the summit in Brussels, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked the EU for its strong support.
TREASON – Prosecutors with the Directorate Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism Offences (DIICOT) have detained six individuals over charges of forming an organized crime group and treason. According to DIICOT, the defendants apparently set up a paramilitary organization and negotiated Romania’s exit from NATO with Russian agents. Prosecutors say that the organized crime group was structured like a military-type organization, with management ranks and operative personnel. Radu Theodoru, a retired general and 101-year-old war veteran, was also among the organization’s leaders. The group used online platforms to release video materials and recruit members. At the same time, it took steps to hold negotiations with foreign political and military actors regarding the replacing of the current constitutional order. In January, DIICOT also says, 2 of the defendants travelled to Moscow, where they came into contact with people willing to support the organization’s efforts to take over power in Romania.
APPEAL – Magistrates on Thursday dismissed as unfounded the complaint filed by Călin Georgescu against the judicial control measure, in the investigation where he faces several charges. A former independent candidate in last year’s presidential election, Călin Georgescu was last week placed under judicial control by the Prosecutor General’s Office for a period of 60 days. He is subject to a number of interdictions, including the right to leave the country without the approval of judicial authorities. At the same time, Georgescu cannot post content of a legionary, fascist, anti-Semitic, racist or xenophobic nature on social media. Georgescu is being prosecuted for committing six crimes, the most serious being that of inciting actions against the constitutional order. Investigators claim that Georgescu had come up with a plan to destabilize the country after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election in December. The first round was won by Călin Georgescu. Meanwhile, prosecutors have raided new locations linked to the financing of his election campaign. Also on Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights rejected Călin Georgescu’s appeal challenging the annulment of the presidential election in Romania in December 2024. The decision is unanimous and final. Călin Georgescu recently announced that he will submit his candidacy for the presidential election in May with the Central Electoral Bureau on Friday.
GOVERNMENT The Romanian government on Thursday passed several emergency orders, concerning, among other things, the healthcare reform and the spending of EU funds. In the field of healthcare, the government wants to improve regulations on public medical care for freelancers, on the taxation of medicines, on the organization and operation of medical offices and the granting of sick leaves. In a separate emergency order, the Romanian government earmarks the financing for certain local authorities to complete works to extend and upgrade natural gas infrastructure. Finally, the cabinet has also approved the amount of this year’s state aid for the livestock sector.
MOLDOVA – The Republic of Moldova has been accepted into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the decision reflecting a confirmation of significant progress in the process of accession to the European Union, the National Bank of the Republic of Moldova has announced. According to the document, SEPA membership will facilitate faster, safer and more accessible international payments in Euro for Moldovan citizens and businesses. “Today’s decision consolidates our irreversible path towards European accession”, said the Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Moldova, Anca Dragu. SEPA is a European system that facilitates cross-border payments in Euro, eliminating the differences between national and international payments. It includes all European Union countries, as well as other states. (VP)
