Radio România Internațional

Tag: Juan Guaido

  • January 8, 2019 UPDATE

    January 8, 2019 UPDATE

    STATE BUDGET – Romania’s 2019 draft budget was adopted in Friday’s Government session, the Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici has announced. He has stated that the document provides for significantly more money for investments, health-care and education. Also, the draft budget stipulates the allocation of 2% of the GDP for defence, in keeping with Romania’s commitment to its partners in the North-Atlantic Alliance. Also, the necessary funds are secured for increasing pensions by 15%, as of September this year, and also significant budgets for the local administration. The draft budget, criticized by the left-wing opposition, was built on an estimated 5.5% economic growth rate, an inflation rate of 2.8% and a deficit of 2.5% of the GDP.



    DEVESELU ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD– The NATO anti-missile shield concept is an action proportional to the current threats and is in full compliance with all international agreements, including the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and any attempt by Russia to deny this is a “glaring misinformation” and an attempt to distract attention from the real violation of the treaty by the Russian state, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. The announcement was made following consultations between the Romanian foreign minister Teodor Melescanu, the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, and the allies. The Romanian Foreign Ministry reiterates the fact that the military base in Deveselu, southern Romania, has a strictly defensive role and does not make the object of the INF Treaty. The statements are made just a day after on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry urged the US to destroy the anti-missile shield in Romania, claiming the system violates the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. A new Russian missile, Novator 9M729 is at the centre of the conflict, a missile which, according to the US infringes the INF Treaty signed in 1987, which bans a whole series of land nuclear and conventional missiles, with a range of 500 to 5,500 km. Moscow rejects the American accusations and claims the missile has a range of 480 km. The US and Russia have made public their intention to withdraw from this treaty.



    VENEZUELA – Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has decided to recognize Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela, the Presidential Administration announced on Friday. Klaus Iohannis believes that, as Romania is currently holding the Presidency of the EU Council and against the background of an increasing dynamics of international developments, Romania must have fast and well-grounded reactions with regard to foreign policy issues, in keeping with the main priorities it has constantly related to on long term. The US, Canada and most countries in the EU and Latin America have voiced support for Guaido. On Saturday, at a UN Security Council meeting, President Nicolas Maduro was supported by China and Russia. Maduro has rejected the calls for new elections made by the US, Canada, the EU and the Latin American countries.



    MEETING – An informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, focusing on justice, continued in Bucharest on Friday. The talks were chaired by the Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, and the agenda of talks included three main topics: ways to boost judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, obtaining electronic evidence in criminal cases and the future of judicial cooperation in the field of criminal law. Attending the meeting was also the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova, who said she was optimistic about the contribution of the future European Public Prosecutor’s Office to the activities of cracking down on corruption and containing crime related to European funds. Competing for the position of head of this office are three candidates, including the former head of the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi. On Thursday, the participants approached the issues of terrorism, police cooperation, the Schengen Area and migration. The meeting was held in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, a country which is currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.



    ANTI-CORRUPTION – Radu Mazare, the former mayor of the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta, has received a final 9 year prison sentence issued by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, in a case involving illegal return and assignment of plots of land in the vicinity of beach areas in the county. Mazare will not serve his sentence, though, as he has fled to Madagascar. The former Social Democratic president of the Constanta County Council, Nicusor Constantinescu, and the former financier of the Dinamo Football Club, Cristian Borcea, have also received sentences in the same case. According to investigators, state’s assets were illegally deprived of large areas of land, worth some 114 million Euros. (Translated by M.Ignatescu and D. Vijeu)

  • January 8, 2019 UPDATE

    January 8, 2019 UPDATE

    STATE BUDGET – Romania’s 2019 draft budget was adopted in Friday’s Government session, the Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici has announced. He has stated that the document provides for significantly more money for investments, health-care and education. Also, the draft budget stipulates the allocation of 2% of the GDP for defence, in keeping with Romania’s commitment to its partners in the North-Atlantic Alliance. Also, the necessary funds are secured for increasing pensions by 15%, as of September this year, and also significant budgets for the local administration. The draft budget, criticized by the left-wing opposition, was built on an estimated 5.5% economic growth rate, an inflation rate of 2.8% and a deficit of 2.5% of the GDP.



    DEVESELU ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD– The NATO anti-missile shield concept is an action proportional to the current threats and is in full compliance with all international agreements, including the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and any attempt by Russia to deny this is a “glaring misinformation” and an attempt to distract attention from the real violation of the treaty by the Russian state, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. The announcement was made following consultations between the Romanian foreign minister Teodor Melescanu, the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, and the allies. The Romanian Foreign Ministry reiterates the fact that the military base in Deveselu, southern Romania, has a strictly defensive role and does not make the object of the INF Treaty. The statements are made just a day after on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry urged the US to destroy the anti-missile shield in Romania, claiming the system violates the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. A new Russian missile, Novator 9M729 is at the centre of the conflict, a missile which, according to the US infringes the INF Treaty signed in 1987, which bans a whole series of land nuclear and conventional missiles, with a range of 500 to 5,500 km. Moscow rejects the American accusations and claims the missile has a range of 480 km. The US and Russia have made public their intention to withdraw from this treaty.



    VENEZUELA – Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has decided to recognize Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela, the Presidential Administration announced on Friday. Klaus Iohannis believes that, as Romania is currently holding the Presidency of the EU Council and against the background of an increasing dynamics of international developments, Romania must have fast and well-grounded reactions with regard to foreign policy issues, in keeping with the main priorities it has constantly related to on long term. The US, Canada and most countries in the EU and Latin America have voiced support for Guaido. On Saturday, at a UN Security Council meeting, President Nicolas Maduro was supported by China and Russia. Maduro has rejected the calls for new elections made by the US, Canada, the EU and the Latin American countries.



    MEETING – An informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, focusing on justice, continued in Bucharest on Friday. The talks were chaired by the Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, and the agenda of talks included three main topics: ways to boost judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, obtaining electronic evidence in criminal cases and the future of judicial cooperation in the field of criminal law. Attending the meeting was also the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova, who said she was optimistic about the contribution of the future European Public Prosecutor’s Office to the activities of cracking down on corruption and containing crime related to European funds. Competing for the position of head of this office are three candidates, including the former head of the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi. On Thursday, the participants approached the issues of terrorism, police cooperation, the Schengen Area and migration. The meeting was held in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, a country which is currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.



    ANTI-CORRUPTION – Radu Mazare, the former mayor of the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta, has received a final 9 year prison sentence issued by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, in a case involving illegal return and assignment of plots of land in the vicinity of beach areas in the county. Mazare will not serve his sentence, though, as he has fled to Madagascar. The former Social Democratic president of the Constanta County Council, Nicusor Constantinescu, and the former financier of the Dinamo Football Club, Cristian Borcea, have also received sentences in the same case. According to investigators, state’s assets were illegally deprived of large areas of land, worth some 114 million Euros. (Translated by M.Ignatescu and D. Vijeu)

  • February 8, 2019

    February 8, 2019

    BUDGET – Romanias 2019 draft budget is presented for adoption in Government session today, the Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici has announced. He has stated that the document provides for significantly more money for investments, health-care and education. Also, the draft budget stipulates the allocation of 2% of the GDP for defence, in keeping with Romanias commitment to its partners in the North-Atlantic Alliance. Also, the necessary funds are secured for increasing pensions by 15%, as of September this year, as well as significant budgets for the local administration. The draft budget, criticized by the right-wing opposition, was built on an estimated 5.5% economic growth rate, an inflation rate of 2.8% and a deficit of 2.5% of the GDP.



    JHA – An informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council continues in Bucharest, focusing on justice. Todays agenda includes topics such as means of boosting judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters and obtaining electronic evidence in criminal cases. The talks are chaired by the Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, who has announced that another topic of discussion is the functioning of the European Public Prosecutors Office. Competing for the position of head of this office are three candidates, including the former head of the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi. On Thursday, the participants approached the issues of terrorism, police cooperation, the Schengen Area and migration.



    VENEZUELA – Romanias President Klaus Iohannis has decided to recognize Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela, the Presidential Administration announced on Friday. Klaus Iohannis believes that, as Romania is currently holding the Presidency of the EU Council and against the background of an increasing dynamics of international developments, Romania must have fast and well-grounded reactions with regard to foreign policy issues, in keeping with the main priorities it has constantly related to on long term. The US, Canada and most countries in the EU and Latin America have voiced support for Guaido. On Saturday, at a UN Security Council meeting, President Nicolas Maduro was supported by China and Russia. Maduro has rejected the calls for new elections made by the US, Canada, the EU and the Latin American countries.



    CORRUPTION – Radu Mazare, the former mayor of the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta, has received a final 9 year prison sentence issued by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, in a case involving illegal return and assignment of plots of land in the vicinity of beach areas in the county. Mazare will not serve his sentence, though, as he has fled to Madagascar. The former Social Democratic president of the Constanta County Council, Nicusor Constantinescu, and the former financier of the Dinamo Football Club, Cristian Borcea, have also received sentences in the same case. According to investigators, states assets were illegally deprived of large plots of land, worth some 114 million Euros.



    CENTRAL BANK – On February 12th, the board of the Romanian Central Bank will be heard in Parliament, the Central Bank Governor Mugur Isarescu has announced. He has stated that the Senates Budget and Finance Committee had sent the invitation some time ago, but the meeting could not be held, as there were points that needed clarification. Mugur Isarescu also declined an invitation to a hearing on Thursday, as it overlapped with the Boards meeting on monetary policy.



    DEVESELU – The Russian Defense Ministry has urged the US to destroy the anti-missile shield in Romania, claiming the system violates the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. The request was made after both the US and Russia announced their withdrawal from the treaty signed in 1987. In response, the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu has stated that the facility in Deveselu, in southern Romania, is purely defensive, and allegations that the base might be used to launch nuclear missiles are used by Russia to justify its own intention of building missiles that do not observe the INF treaty. In turn, US officials have stated that the US Administration has no intention of providing Europe with nuclear weapons, even if a potential termination of the INF treaty would allow it to develop new missiles.



    FLU – The number of people who have succumbed to the flu in Romania has reached 95, according to the latest information provided by the National Centre for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases. The victims had all suffered from other diseases and had not been vaccinated against the virus. So far, some 1.3 million Romanians have got the anti-flu shot and the Health Ministry has purchased another 30,000 shots for people at risk: patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, children and elderly. Flu epidemic has been declared in Romania after the country registered three consecutive weeks of epidemic nature and the flu death toll increased.

  • 08.02.2019

    08.02.2019

    Budget – Ce vendredi, le gouvernement roumain examine en vue de l’adoption, le projet de budget public 2019. L’annonce a été faite jeudi par le ministre des Finances, Eugen Teodorovici, qui a précisé que le document prévoit des enveloppes majorées pour les Investissements, la Santé et l’Education. Le projet de budget prévoit aussi l’allocation de 2% du PIB à la Défense, selon les engagements assumés envers les partenaires de l’Alliance nord- atlantique. Par ailleurs, aux dires du gouvernement, le budget assure aussi bien les fonds nécessaires à une majoration de 15% des pensions de retraite à partir du mois de septembre 2019 que des fonds destinés aux budgets locaux. Critiqué par l’opposition droite, le projet de budget 2019 table sur une croissance économique de 5,5%, sur une inflation de 2,8% et sur un déficit de 2,5% du PIB.

    Justice – La réunion informelle Justice et Affaires Intérieures se poursuit ce vendredi à Bucarest. Les moyens de développement de la coopération judiciaire en matière civile et commerciale et l’obtention de preuves électroniques en matière pénale figurent à l’agenda des discussions présidées par le ministre de la Justice, Tudorel Toader. Celui-ci a affirmé que les participants à la réunion JAI se pencheront aussi sur l’opérationnalisation de l’instance du Procureur européen. Trois candidats sont en lice pour cette fonction parmi lesquels, Laura Codruta Kovesi, l’ex cheffe de la DNA de Roumanie. Jeudi, les participants à la réunion ont examiné des sujets tels le terrorisme, la coopération policière, l’espace Schengen et la migration.

    Venezuela – Le président roumain, Klaus Iohannis, a décidé de reconnaître Juan Guaido comme président par intérim au Venezuela, a fait savoir, vendredi, l’administration présidentielle. Dans le contexte de la présidence roumaine de l’UE et des évolutions sur la scène politique mondiale, la Roumanie doit réagir rapidement et fermement vis-à-vis des dossiers de politique internationale, a affirmé Klaus Iohannis. Le président vénézuélien par intérim bénéficie déjà du soutien des Etats-Unis, du Canada et de la plupart des pays de l’UE et de l’Amérique latine. Quant au président Nicolas Madura, celui-ci a reçu samedi, lors d’une réunion du Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU, l’appui de la Russie et de la Chine. Maduro a rejeté les appels lancés par les Etats-Unis, le Canada, l’UE et des pays de l’Amérique latine en faveur de l’organisation d’un scrutin présidentiel.

    Défense– Le ministère russe de la Défense a propose aux Etats-Unis de détruire le système antimissile américain de Roumanie qui, dit-il, constituerait une violation du Traité sur les forces nucléaire à portée intermédiaire. La déclaration intervient après que Moscou et Washington ont annoncé la semaine dernière leur retrait de ce traité signé en 1987. En réplique, le ministre roumain des Affaires Etrangères, Teodor Melescanu, a réitéré que les éléments du bouclier antimissile de Deveselu, dans le sud de la Roumanie, ont un rôle strictement défensif. L’unique raison pour laquelle la Russie considère cette base comme une potentielle menace à sa sécurité est de justifier la construction de missiles par laquelle elle viole le traité INF. Pour leur part, les Etats-Unis affirment ne pas vouloir un possible armement nucléaire de l’Europe, même si, une résiliation du traité INF leur permettrait la construction de nouveaux missiles.

    BNR– Les membres du Conseil administratif de la Banque centrale de Roumanie seront auditionnés le 12 février, au Parlement, a fait savoir vendredi, le gouverneur de la Banque nationale, Mugur Isarescu. A ses dires, le Conseil s’est vu remettre une invitation en ce sens de la part de la Commission chargée du budget et des finances du Sénat, invitation qu’il a déclinée dans un premier temps, en raison d’une série d’inconvénients. Mugur Isarescu a également choisi de décliner l’invitation aux audiences au Sénat qu’il s’est vu avancée jeudi, après avoir constaté que celle-ci était prévue en même temps que la réunion de politique monétaire du Conseil administratif de la Banque centrale.

    Justice – La Haute Cour de Cassation et de Justice a condamné définitivement, à 9 ans de prison ferme, l’ancien maire de la ville port de Constanta, Radu Mazare, dans un dossier de corruption. Accusé de rétrocession illégale de terrains dans la zone des plages et des falaises de la ville, Radu Mazare a fui la Roumanie pour s’établir au Madagascar. Plusieurs personnes ont été condamnées dans le même dossier. Il s’agit de l’ancien président social- démocrate du Conseil départemental de Constanta, Nicusor Constantinescu et de l’homme d’affaires, Cristian Borcea. Aux dires des enquêteurs, le préjudice subi par le patrimoine public s’est monté à 114 millions d’euros.

    Protestations – Les officiers, les agents de police, les surveillants pénitentiaires et les réservistes de l’armée protestent à Bucarest, pour la deuxième journée de suite devant les ministères de l’Intérieur et de la Justice, ainsi que devant le Palais du parlement. Ils réclament de meilleures conditions de travail, des salaires équitables pour le personnel en activité et l’arrêt de la discrimination à l’encontre des retraités militaires. Selon les syndicalistes, les salaires dans les secteurs de la défense, de la sécurité publique et de la Police nationale ont été gelés par des ordonnances d’urgence. Les pensions militaires auraient aussi été réduites de plus de 30%, par l’exclusion de certains droits en anticipation de la retraite. Les syndicalistes décrient aussi la réduction constante des allocations budgétaires afférentes à l’amélioration des conditions de travail ainsi qu’aux secteurs de l’équipement et de la logistique.

    Médecine – Un tribunal roumain a décidé la mise en détention provisoire pour une durée de 30 jours, du citoyen italien, Matteo Politi, accusé d’avoir effectué plusieurs opérations esthétiques dans cinq cliniques privées de Bucarest, sans avoir étudié la médecine. Matteo Politi, 38 ans, a été arrêté mercredi par la Police aux frontières d’Arad, dans l’ouest du pays, alors qu’il essayait de quitter la Roumanie dans un train vers la Hongrie. L’Italien a été amené à Bucarest sous escorte et un dossier pénal a été ouvert à son encontre pour exercice sans droit d’une profession ou d’une activité. Matteo Politi vient de Venise, n’a fait que 8 années d’école et était voiturier en Italie. Il était déjà recherché par les autorités roumaines dans une affaire de fraude. Il avait été déjà condamné par un tribunal italien, en 2011, à 18 mois de prison avec sursis, après avoir prétendu pendant plusieurs années être médecin.

    Météo – Les températures approchent la normale saisonnière. Le ciel est variable dans le nord-est du territoire, plutôt couvert dans le reste. Le vent souffle légèrement sur l’ensemble du pays et plus fort sur la côte roumaine à la Mer Noire. Les températures maximales vont de -2 à 8 degrés. 3 degrés, à midi, dans la capitale roumaine.

  • Poziția UE și a statelor membre față de Venezuela

    Poziția UE și a statelor membre față de Venezuela

    Uniunea Europeană își dorește alegeri anticipate în Venezuela și mai multe state membre au anunțat deja că, în cazul în care acestea nu vor fi convocate, îl vor recunoaște pe liderul opoziției, Juan Guaido, drept președinte interimar al țării.

    Uniunea Europeană își menține poziția critică față de regimul de la Caracas în contextul amplificării tensiunilor interne din Venezuela în ultima perioadă, după ce Nicolas Maduro și-a început un nou mandat în fruntea țării iar opoziția a reacționat prin președintele Parlamentului, Juan Guaido, care s-a auto-proclamat președinte interimar al țării. Actul lui Guaido a fost recunoscut aproape imediat de Statele Unite, care au fost urmate de Canada, o serie de state din regiune, între care Brazilia și Columbia, precum și de Australia și Israel. Uniunea Europeană nu a luat, încă, o decizie în acest sens, dar chiar de la declanșarea ultimei crize șefa diplomației europene, Federica Mogherini, a declarat că poporul venezuelean a cerut democrație și că vocea sa trebuie respectată, iar ulterior mai multe state membre, între care Franța, Germania și Marea Britanie, i-au dat un termen clar lui Nicolas Maduro să organizeze alegeri anticipate și au avertizat că, în caz contrar, îl vor recunoaște și ele pe Juan Guaido ca președinte interimar. Poziția Bruxellesului și a statelor membre nu este una nouă; la fel ca și opoziția din Venezuela, acestea au criticat modul în care s-au desfășurat, anul trecut, alegerile prezidențiale, în care principalii reprezentanți ai opoziției au fost împiedicați să participe: Purtătorul de cuvânt al Comisiei Europene, Maja Kocijancic:

    Am spus-o și la vremea respectivă și am repetat acest lucru de mai multe ori: din punctul nostru de vedere, alegerile prezidențiale din mai, anul trecut, nu au fost corecte, nu au fost independente, nu au respectat standardele internaționale, așadar le-a lipsit credibilitatea unui proces electoral, deci nu au fost alegeri democratice. În acest sens am cerut – iar aceasta rămâne poziția Uniunii Europene – să înceapă un proces politic care să aibă ca rezultat alegeri democratice.

    Regimul neo-socialist din Venezuela se află la putere, deja, din 1999, când Hugo Chavez a fost ales președinte. Reformele și politiciele acestuia și ale succesorului său, Nicolas Maduro, au dus, treptat, la cea mai severă criză economică din istoria țării, dar și la una politică, în condițiile în care puterea a fost acuzată de măsuri anti-democratice. De altfel, politicile Caracasului au determinat Uniunea Europeană ca, începând cu 2017, să impună sancțiuni care vizează figuri-cheie ale regimului, în speranța că acestea vor forța o democratizare a țării. Nicolas Maduro se bazează, însă, pe sprijinul acelei părți a populației care, inițial, a fost avantajată de reformele chaviste și, mai ales, pe armată. Criticii regimului afirmă că sprijinul generalilor nu este unul dezinteresat – aceștia ar avea o serie de avantaje economice și, în plus, ar fi implicați și în activități ilegale care merg de la trafic de droguri, minerit ilegal și spălare de bani, la încălcări ale drepturilor omului. În plan extern, regimul de la Caracas este sprijinit de Rusia, China și de Turcia lui Recep Tayyip Erdogan.