Radio România Internațional

Tag: Diplomacy

  • August 29, 2017 UPDATE

    August 29, 2017 UPDATE

    LEGISLATION – Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors criticise most of the proposed changes to the laws regulating the judiciary announced recently by Minister Tudorel Toader, and say these changes are a form of pressure on their work. In turn, the Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar said on Tuesday that if endorsed, the bill would affect the independence of magistrates and the activity of judicial institutions. Heavily criticised by the Opposition and the mass media, the bill stipulates, among other things, that the president of the country is no longer to appoint the chiefs of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate and the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism, that the judicial inspection corps will be subordinated to the Justice Ministry, and that the promotion of magistrates will require more years of service. On Sunday night several thousand Romanians protested in Bucharest and other major cities against the bill aimed at changing the laws regulating the judiciary. They demanded the resignation of Tudorel Toader, voiced support for the independence of the judicial power and announced new street protests for next Sunday.



    UNICEF – The Prime Minister of Romania, Mihai Tudose, had a meeting in Bucharest on Tuesday with the new representative of the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) in Romania, Pieter Bult. On this occasion, PM Tudose emphasised the importance of the partnership between Romania and UNICEF, while Bult presented the objectives and priorities of his term in office. The 2 officials agreed to work together to solve the measles epidemic problem. UNICEF is supporting the efforts of the Romanian authorities, by conducting measles information and awareness-raising campaigns and public health education programmes. Romania is currently facing the most severe measles epidemic in recent years, with 33 deaths reported so far, according to the National Centre for Infectious Disease Monitoring and Control.



    POLICE – The Romanian Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, Tuesday carried on the consultations with police officials regarding the improvement of the legislation regulating their work. The main topics included the proposed tightening of penalties for assault on a public official, changes in the regulations regarding penalties for misdemeanours, changes in the regulations regarding professions in the police force and the improvement of police protection equipment. The Interior Minister said she had already received 150 proposed changes to the police laws.



    DIPLOMACY – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleşcanu, said on Tuesday that the preparations for the Union Centennial, the Romanian presidency of the EU Council, Romanias bid for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council and the OECD candidacy are the highlights of the Romanian diplomatic agenda next year. The statement was made at the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, which is taking place in Bucharest until Friday. The event is an opportunity for the Foreign Ministry to assess its work and to set its priorities for the future, in the context of regional, European and global trends. The special guests this year are the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, the Foreign Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn and the Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó. On the other hand, as part of the Annual Meeting of the Romanian diplomacy, President Klaus Iohannis will receive on Wednesday the heads of Romanian diplomatic missions and consular offices.



    MISSILE – The United States and Japan have requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss North Koreas firing of a missile over Japan. Japan’s warning system kicked in, advising citizens on its northern Hokkaido Island to take precautions, as the missile headed towards land. The missile later broke into three pieces and landed in the sea. The Japanese military made no attempt to shoot down the unidentified missile, but condemned the launch in the strongest terms possible. The Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has asked for further sanctions against North Korea. China has called for restraint and for the resumption of peace talks, while the EU, South Korea, Australia and the United Kingdom firmly condemned Pyongyangs actions. The launch comes after several weeks of tensions and verbal clashes between the USA and North Korea.



    A-WEB – The President of the Permanent Electoral Authority of Romania, Daniel Barbu, will take over the presidency of the Association of World Election Bodies for 2 years, in a ceremony held in Bucharest on August 31, as part of the 3rd General Assembly of the association, hosted by the Parliament Palace. A-WEB brings together election management bodies from over 100 countries around the world, Romania included.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • August 25, 2017

    August 25, 2017

    JUSTICE – The European Commission has asked the Government of Romania to provide more details regarding the suggested reform of the judiciary, and has expressed concerns that this may be a step back in the fight against corruption. The European Commission requested further explanations from Bucharest and mentioned that the irreversibility of Romanias progress in curbing corruption over the past 10 years is vital. The ruling Social Democratic Party called for calm and reiterated that the endorsement of the new legislation is a lengthy process, requiring approvals from many institutions, and that its coalition partner, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania, believes the changes will strengthen the rule of law. The National Liberal Party in opposition accuses the ruling coalition of trying to make the judiciary subordinated to the executive power. President Klaus Iohannis described the proposed changes of the justice system laws, announced on Wednesday by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, as an attack against the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. In turn, the National Anti-Corruption Agency criticises the changes announced by the Justice Ministry, and announces a general assembly meeting in a weeks time, in order to express the institutions views on these changes.



    VISIT – The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who is on an official visit to Bulgaria today, had a meeting in Varna with his counterpart Rumen Radev, who said the EU Directive on seconded workers should seek a balance between the older and newer members of the Union. Macron pointed out that he would like Bulgaria, which will take over the half-year presidency of the EU Council on January 1, 2018, to play a full role in the talks on deepening the European integration, and added that this country should be a member of the new Schengen area. Bulgaria is the third stage of the French Presidents tour, after Austria and Romania. On Thursday in Bucharest, Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart, Klaus Iohannis, decided to consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership, particularly in the political, economic, cultural and research areas. Iohannis said France and the EU need Eastern Europe if the European project is to be re-launched, and pointed out that Romania is a trustworthy partner.



    DIPLOMACY – A new round of 3-party talks between the foreign ministers of Romania, Poland and Turkey, takes place today in Warsaw. According to a news release issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the topics include the situation in the Western Balkans, with a focus on the support given by NATO to these partners in its eastern flank. Special attention will be paid to strengthening NATOs deterrence and defence posture, based on the guidelines laid down at the 2016 Warsaw Summit and the specific roles of Romania, Turkey and Poland in this process. The Foreign Ministry mentions that todays meeting is the fourth in this format. The previous 3-party consultations were held in Ankara in August 2016.



    MILITARY – Constanta County in south-eastern Romania, hosts several multinational naval and air exercises. The Romanian Navy and the American destroyer USS PORTER are taking part in a joint exercise at the Black Sea, aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the participating vessels. The military drills will end on August 28th. The USS PORTER, which arrived in the port of Constanta on Tuesday, is in Romania for the 4th time. Meanwhile, 4 CF-188 Hornet aircraft of the Canadian Air Forces will conduct air policing missions together with Romanian Air Force planes, as part of NATOs plan to strengthen the Alliances eastern flank.



    MIGRATION – Illegal migration at Romanias western border has surged recently, says the Regional Border Police Inspectorate. The Timisoara police found more than 100 migrants, including 42 children, in a local boarding house. Out of the total number, 82 are Iraqis, and most of the others are African refugees. The majority are coming from Serbia and trying to cross into Hungary, so as to go further into western Europe. Apart from the increase in the number of migrants trying to get into the Schengen area, the number of people smugglers identified and arrested by the Romanian border police.



    MEASLES – The number of deaths caused by measles in Romania has reached 33, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Monitoring and Control, subordinated to the National Public Health Institute, has announced today. The latest victim was a 10-month Iraqi girl, who came into Romania through Timis County, in the west, in early July. Romania is struggling with the most severe measles epidemic of the past few years. More than 8,000 cases have been reported so far. The large number of cases and deaths made the World health Organisation include Romania on a list of 5 countries that account for a combined 80% of the total number of measles cases in the world. The Government of Romania has recently passed a bill that makes children vaccination mandatory.



    FOOTBALL – Romanias football vice-champions, FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest), are to find out their opponents in the Europa League group stage, following the drawing in Monaco today. On Wednesday night, FCSB was kicked out of the Champions League playoffs, after it was defeated at home 1-5 by the Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. The first leg had ended in a goalless draw. On Thursday, Romanian champions Viitorul Constanta lost the playoff for the Europa League groups, being thrashed 0-4 by the Austrian team Red Bull Salzburg. Viitorul had already lost the first leg, 1-3 at home.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • May 4, 2017 UPDATE

    May 4, 2017 UPDATE

    STATE VISIT – PM Sorin Grindeanu said in Jerusalem on Thursday that Romania remained firm in supporting the fight against terrorism. In a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, Grindeanu said the terror attacks in Europe were alarming and mentioned Romanian citizens had also been among the victims. On the other hand, PM Grindeanu said Israel was Romanias closest ally and partner in the region, with the diplomatic ties between the 2 countries spanning nearly 70 years. The Romanian Prime Minister reiterated Romanias commitment to establish a Jewish History and Holocaust Museum. In turn, Netanyahu said the visit of his counterpart continues the great friendship between the 2 countries. During the visit, two bilateral documents were signed, a declaration on cutting international roaming fees and a joint statement on cooperation in the fields of electricity and natural gas transportation, research, development and innovation, high-tech and investments. The Romanian official also had talks with President Reuven Rivlin and visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.




    JUDICIARY – The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) Thursday dismissed as inadmissible a notification filed by the Ombudsman concerning an article that denies the access to government posts for convicted criminals. The Court found that the arguments put forth in the notification filed by Ombudsman Victor Ciorbea are either matters of interpretation and enforcement of the law by the relevant authorities, or elements of law-making that fall within the powers of Parliament. Law no. 90 of 2001 on the organisation and functioning of the government and ministries, says that only individuals who have not been found guilty in criminal cases and are not in an incompatibility case may be members of the government. The Court was notified after the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Liviu Dragnea was unable to get nominated for prime minister because of this article, although the Social Democratic Party he is heading won the December 2016 parliamentary election. Dragnea received a 2-year suspended sentence in a vote fraud case regarding the 2012 referendum on the impeachment of then President Traian Basescu.




    PARDON BILL – The Senates judicial committee Thursday rolled back Wednesdays decision, dismissing all amendments to the Governments bill on collective pardon, whereby sentences for some acts of corruption could be written off. According to the amendments passed on Wednesday, bribe taking and giving, as well as influence peddling, were on a list of crimes that would be written off provided the inmate commits to covering the damages suffered by the state. Hundreds of people protested in Bucharest and other large cities against these amendments. Protesters vented their anger at politicians, whom they see as deeply corrupt. The Government, who initiated the draft law on collective pardon, as well as the Chamber of Deputies Speaker and Social-Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea have argued against pardoning acts of corruption. Dragnea announced that the bill, whose final text would not pardon corruption offences, would be fine-tuned in a meeting of the Social Democrats National Executive Committee. Authorities see the bill on collective pardon as a possible solution to prison overcrowding. The European Court of Human Rights has called on Bucharest authorities to come up with a set of measures to improve detention conditions.



    MINORITY RIGHTS – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Melescanu, said on Thursday in Bucharest that guaranteeing the rights of ethnic minorities is necessary to ensure stability, security and good neighbourhood in the region. While attending a conference on responsible governance, he said Romania was probably one of the European countries with the most developed regulations on protecting national minority rights.



    CINEMA – The French actor Alain Delon will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Transylvania International Film Festival, which will take place in Cluj-Napoca between June 2 and 11. According to organisers, the award will be handed out on June 10, in a ceremony hosted by the National Theatre in Cluj-Napoca. On the day before, the 1981 film “Pour la peau dun flic, starring and directed by Alain Delon, will be screened in honour of the French actor.




    CULTURAL HERITAGE – The U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, donated 59,300 US dollars to the Superior Consistory of the Evangelic Church Sibiu under the special U.S. Department of State program called the Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation. The grant is designed to help restore the Medieval Fortified Churches of Movile and Agarbiciu (Sibiu County) and Daia (Mures County). On Thursday, Ambassador Hans Klemm and Bishop Reinhard Guib held a ceremony at the fortified medieval church in the village of Movile, where Ambassador Klemm said: “Our cultural heritage is a reminder of the contributions and historical experiences of humanity. The medieval fortified churches of Transylvania are monuments to Europes cultural heritage. Local officials, representatives of the Evangelical Church, of the Fortified Churches Foundation, of the Democratic Forum of Germans in Transylvania, archaeologists and construction experts were present at the ceremony.




    FRENCH ELECTION – The centrist candidate in the French presidential election Emmanuel Macron filed a legal complaint after his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen implied he had an offshore account in the Bahamas. Macron strengthened his position as a frontrunner in Sundays second presidential ballot after the televised debate he attended jointly with his opponent Marine Le Pen. This was the only debate held for the two rounds, and the two contenders traded harsh words and even insults. For the first time in Frances post-war history, the candidates of the traditional right and left wings failed to qualify to the presidential second round. Defeated in the first round by Macron, Le Pen labelled him “the representative of wild globalization and criticized him for his superficial approach to terrorism. Macron said Le Pen is a dangerous nationalist feeding on Frances suffering. The French and international media writes the debate was brutal and violent, with the two contenders verbally abusing each other unlike never before in the history of presidential debates in this country.


  • December 2, 2016 UPDATE

    December 2, 2016 UPDATE

    DIPLOMACY Romanian diplomats have announced their surprise and amazement over a decision by the Foreign Ministry in neighboring Hungary to forbid the Hungarian diplomats to participate in receptions and festivities staged on Thursday on the occasion of Romanias National Day. The Ministry said, upon request from Radio Romania, that such a decision is hard to understand all the more so as the respect for a countrys national symbols and values are an undisputable part of the set of values the European Union and the Transatlantic community are based upon. The Foreign Ministry adds that Romania has been a country deeply attached to such values. We recall that Romania celebrates its National Day on December 1st, to mark the union in 1918 of the province of Transylvania with the Romanian kingdom. The union completed the process of forming the Romanian unitary state after the First World War, when all the Romanian provinces belonging to various multinational empires, united.



    CYBER CRIME The Romanian police have joined authorities from 29 other countries to dismantle the worlds largest computer network responsible for launching cyber-attacks the world over, the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police has announced. Code-named Avalanche, the operation was launched last week at the end of investigations that lasted five years. Five people have been detained, 37 buildings searched and 39 servers seized. According to Romanian Police sources, over 500 thousand computers were being affected on a daily basis from this infrastructure, which became operational in 2009. The perpetrators used viruses to hack into computers and withdraw money from the victims accounts. Avalanche was the largest police operation of this kind with 800 thousand web domains blocked or closed down in order to be taken out of the hackers control. Among the countries involved in the Avalanche operation were Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Britain and the United States.



    PROTEST Around 15 hundred workers protested on Friday morning in front of Romanias biggest carmaker Dacia, in Mioveni, southeastern Romania, denouncing the condition of commuter buses assuring the transport of employees and the drivers lack of experience. Production was stopped for an hour at the plant. The protest has been triggered by two collective accidents, the first in early August, when 13 people were wounded, and another one last week, when 17 other people were wounded. Trade union leaders have cautioned this is only the first in the series of protests that will follow unless their claims are met. We recall the first Dacia car was produced in Romania in 1966. Since 1999 the brand has belonged to French group Renault accounting for roughly 30% of the French carmakers sales.



    UN The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has expressed appreciation for the significant progress Romania has made in terms of implementing democratic values as well as for Bucharests contribution to the efforts of promoting peace, sustainable development and human rights the world over. The UN official has highlighted the activity of Romanias public servants, including officers in charge of the UN high officials protection. Ban Ki-moon and the president of the UN general assembly, Peter Thomson, on Thursday attended the reception offered by Bucharests permanent mission at the United Nations on the occasion of Romanias National Day. In turn Peter Thomson has said he appreciates Romanias activism and the wide range of commitments assumed at all levels in over 60 years of UN membership.



    EUROPOL In a report published in the Hague, the European police, EUROPOL, have warned that the Islamic State has been planning new attacks in Europe in the near future. There is risk for the refugees from Syria to be recruited and radicalized, while IS fighters can get infiltrated among the refugees, the report says. Experts believe that car bomb attacks can be carried out in France, but also in Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain and Germany. The US Department of State also last week announced there is credible information about the Al Qaeda and the Islamic State and their branches, which are planning terror attacks in Europe around the winter holidays. Jihadists have this year carried out bloody attacks in Belgium, France, Germany and Turkey.



    UNESCO – Traditional handwoven fabrics from Romania and the Republic of Moldova are starting Friday part of UNESCOs immovable cultural list. These tapestry works are produced in local communities of craftsmen and are considered genuine works of art, used to decorate the interior of homes, but also part of certain celebrations. UNESCO added to the same list the El Callao Carnival of Venezuela, the puppet theatre of Slovakia and the Czech Republic and traditional pottery from Cini, Turkey.



    HANDBALL Romanias national handball side leaves for Sweden on Saturday to participate in the European Championship due over December 4th and 18th. In the final tournaments group D Romania will be playing Norway on December 5th, take on Russia two days later and on Croatia on December 9th. The first three sides in each group will qualify for the second stage, which has two series of six groups each. Romanias team is being lead by Spanish coach Ambros Martin, who last week replaced Swedish Thomas Ryde, under whose guidance our handballers won bronze at the World Championship in Denmark in 2015. In 2013 and 2014, Ambros Martin was designated the worlds best coach after having won two Champions Leagues trophies with Hungarian side Gyor.


    (Translated by D. Bilt and V. Palcu)