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Tag: Klaus Iohannis

  • Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House

    Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House

    The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, who is currently on a working visit to Washington, has had talks with US President, Joe  Biden, at the White House.

    The two leaders have approached topical issues on the bilateral and international agenda and have also celebrated Romania’s 20th year as a member of the NATO Alliance.

    The two presidents  have underscored their continued support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s aggression. They have also reviewed the many areas in which Romania and the United States work together, including energy, economic cooperation and their shared democratic values.

    President Biden has thanked President Iohannis for hosting U.S. servicemembers in Romania, and has recognized the many contributions that Romania, a stalwart NATO Ally, has made to security on NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in the Black Sea region, a White House press release reads.

    In his opening remarks, the U.S. President Joe Biden has praised the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for his leadership and for providing security assistance during the war in Ukraine.  “We were reminiscing for a moment before you came in that, back when I was a senator, 180 years ago, I fought very hard for Romania’s admission to NATO.  And you, you’ve exceeded every expectation. And 20 years ago, when you joined NATO for real, and every year since, our nations have grown only closer, in my view, closer and closer together.  And we see it in Romania and American troops serving side by side across NATO, and including in your country.  I believe there’s about 1,800 American forces there.  We thank you for that.  And, we see our work in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. And I want to thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership, especially in the Black Sea.  You’ve been incredible.  You’ve stood up, and the help you’ve provided for Ukraine is real.  It’s significant. The unified support for the people of Ukraine,  you’ve allowed a number of refugees to come across, be in your country, about 8,000, they tell me.  A whole lot.  And that’s really something. And, also, your security assistance to Ukraine, moving Ukrainian grain. And I want you to know the United States is committed to standing with you. Today, we lay the foundation for the next 20 years.  I look forward to our discussions and just say that we’ve got a lot to discuss, so I’m looking forward to it”, President Biden said.

    In his turn, President Iohannis thanked President Biden for the substantial contribution of the United States to ensuring the security of Romania and for strengthening the bilateral relationship:  “We managed not only to be members of NATO, thanks to you and others who really fought for us  20 years since Romania is a proud member of NATO, but we also managed to work on our bilateral relationship, which became stronger and stronger. We have a Strategic Partnership.  And I think by making this partnership strong, we also managed to make the transatlantic link strong.  In my opinion, a transatlantic link is the cornerstone of our democratic way of life, our values.   And so, this is obviously linked to the way we see the future of our nations; how we manage to make our nations work better, live better; how we manage to guarantee the security of our peoples; how we manage to make our economies grow.  And so, we have, really, a lot of issues we can discuss.  But also, sometimes I believe it is important to underline that we managed to move ahead and that we managed to have very positive results.  And, of course, we will discuss things we still have to achieve. And so, maybe just an example: We are working together on a visa waiver for Romania.  If this goes well, hopefully, not before long, we will have results. But unfortunately, the most important issue is to find the way to reinstall peace in Europe.  And helping Ukraine and the Ukrainians,  you set such a huge example how this can be done. Romania is trying its best, and we have some pretty good results.  I think it is decent.  But nevertheless, we have to find ways to prevent Russia to win this war in Ukraine.  And here we have to stay united.  We have to work together.  And we will, as far as I can see.”

    President Biden added: “Let me just say one thing.  I don’t think there’s any NATO partner who has a stronger commitment to the Euro-Atlantic alliance than Romania and the United States.  And it’s a value set.  It’s what we believe (…)  And you’ve stepped up, and you’ve been incredible.  And what you’ve done and what we’re going to continue to do together, I think, is going to be significant, not only for Europe but for the whole world.”

    According to the Romanian Presidential Administration, the top level dialogue represents a good opportunity to raise the profile of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the US and to reconfirm the privileged bilateral relations between the US and Romania as well as  their multisectoral cooperation.

    “I had a very consistent discussion today in Washington, D.C., with the President of the US, Joe Biden, at the White House, on the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States🇸, including cooperation on security, economic and energy issues. As we celebrate 20 years since Romania joined NATO, we also discussed our strong collaboration in securing the Eastern Flank of the Alliance, the strategic importance of the Black Sea region, as well as our support for Ukraine and strengthening transatlantic relations”, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis wrote on X, fresh from the talks he had with President Joe Biden, at the White House.  “I talked with President Biden about the Strategic Partnership between our countries, how we can make it stronger and how we can deepen it, so that it meets the challenges we face in this extremely complicated global context. I thanked President Biden for the substantial contribution of the United States to ensuring the security of Romania and of the entire Eastern Flank and, at the same time, for recognizing the strategic role of the Black Sea, in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine” the Romanian  head of state told a press conference.

    On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, President Klaus Iohannis will be awarded the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award by the Atlantic Council,  in token of recognition for his career and  role as a trans-Atlantic and European leader.

  • May 5, 2024

    May 5, 2024

    EASTER – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest holiday in the Christian calendar, is marked on Sunday by Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians around the world, including in Romania. In his Easter sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said that healing the world of passing illnesses was not the ultimate design of Jesus Christ, but rather saving mankind from sin and death. The Patriarch urged Romanians to pursue good deeds. “During these days of celebration, light and joy for our Christian way of life, let us pray for global peace, let us convey a message of brotherly love to all Romanians living abroad”, the Patriarch went on to say. “The Resurrection of Christ recalls the Christian appeal to love thy neighbor and live in peace and understanding”, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis also said in his Easter message.

     

     

    AWARD – Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, has been designated as one of the recipients of the 2024 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards, which will be bestowed in a special gala held on May 8 in Washington. The Romanian president will be honored for his remarkable career, exemplary leadership of Romania, and his transatlantic and European leadership role. The other recipients of the award are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli, and Academy Award-winning actress and producer Michelle Yeoh. Each year, the Distinguished Leadership Awards convenes a high-level international audience of more than six hundred policy, business, military, artistic, and civil-society leaders to celebrate individuals, including policy leaders, business executives, military brass and artistic and humanitarian champions, who best represent the pillars of the global relationship. Past recipients include US presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and then-Vice President Joe Biden, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, current and former International Monetary Fund managing directors Kristalina Georgieva and Christine Lagarde. Set up in 1961, the Atlantic Council is a non-profit organization whose staff must observe high standards of personal and professional integrity, candor and honesty in communications and interactions with one another as well as with other organizations, government officials, the media and the public.

     

     

    WAR IN UKRAINE – Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the nation on Easter, saying the Ukrainian people will get down on its knees only to pray. He said Ukrainians are holding a common prayer for the servicemen celebrating Easter in the trenches and on the frontline. Russia on Saturday night launched 24 Shahed drones, of which 23 were shot down, the Ukrainian Air Forces announced on Sunday. The attack followed Russian attacks on Saturday on the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions and the port of Odesa, which killed at least two civilians, destroyed a food factory and damaged other civilian infrastructure targets, residential and commercial buildings, regional officials say. President Zelenskyy said Russia used eight different types of missiles and nearly 70 guided missiles to strike settlements and positions on the frontline. In turn, Moscow persuaded Cuban citizens to join the Russian army, offering monthly wages of approximately 2,000 USD plus Russian passports, to be delivered within months of signing up.

     

     

    LIFE EXPECTANCY – Spain has the highest life expectancy rate at EU level – 84 years, above the EU average of 81.5 years. According to a Eurostat report, Romania has the third-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, followed only by Latvia with 75.9 years and Bulgaria with 75.8 years. However, the biggest increase in life expectancy rates across the EU over 2019-2023 was reported in Romania. 15 of the 27 EU Member States exceed the EU life expectancy average. Countries with lower rates are those in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, whereas countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Central Europe have higher life expectancy rates.

     

     

    GYMNASTSTICS – Romanian athlete Sabrina Maneca Voinea won silver in the floor final on Saturday at the European Gymnastics Championships hosted by Rimini, Italy. The gold went to Manila Esposito of Italy, whereas another Italian, Angela Andreoli, scooped bronze. Sabrina Maneca Voinea previously won gold in the beam finals. Last year, Sabrina won bronze in the floor final at the European Championships in Antalya, Turkey. Romania is competing in the team final on Sunday, after ranking 4th in the qualifiers. (VP)

  • May 2, 2024

    May 2, 2024

    HOLY THURSDAY – Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania today celebrate Holy (or Maundy) Thursday that commemorates the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. A mass devoted to the 12 Gospels will be held this evening, while the Lamentation at the Tomb, a unique religious service, will be held tomorrow night. On Wednesday, Romanian Orthodox Church Patriarch Daniel conveyed a special Easter message, saying that the Resurrection of Christ is a celebration of the pious and merciful love of Christ, who overcame hatred, violence and death and gave people eternal life. This makes Easter a celebration of forgiveness, peace and joy, the Patriarch said, urging people to share the news of the Lord’s Resurrection with everyone around through good deeds, love and peace.

     

     

    PUBLIC ORDER – In the last 24 hours, security forces and emergency services were dispatched to over 4,000 incidents. According to the Interior Ministry, 12 people were saved, 700 drivers’ licenses were suspended, in the many of these cases the drivers having been found driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, and 141 people were arrested for various crimes. The Interior Ministry will intensify its actions designed to ensure public order for the Labor Day and Easter mini-holiday, considering that hundreds of events will be held across the country, with over 150,000 people expected to attend.

     

     

    AWARD – Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, has been designated as one of the recipients of the 2024 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards, which will be bestowed in a special gala held on May 8 in Washington. The Romanian president will be honored for his remarkable career, exemplary leadership of Romania, and his transatlantic and European leadership role. The other recipients of the award are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli, and Academy Award-winning actress and producer Michelle Yeoh. Each year, the Distinguished Leadership Awards convenes a high-level international audience of more than six hundred policy, business, military, artistic, and civil-society leaders to celebrate individuals, including policy leaders, business executives, military brass and artistic and humanitarian champions, who best represent the pillars of the global relationship. Past recipients include US presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and then-Vice President Joe Biden, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, current and former International Monetary Fund managing directors Kristalina Georgieva and Christine Lagarde. Set up in 1961, the Atlantic Council is a non-profit organization whose staff must observe high standards of personal and professional integrity, candor and honesty in communications and interactions with one another as well as with other organizations, government officials, the media and the public.

     

     

    YOUTH DAY – Lawmakers will know their actions were well-inspired if young Romanians at home and abroad will choose Romania in the future, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said to mark Youth Day. We must provide everyone with equal chances and development prospects, including at institutional level, the Prime Minister said. Marcel Ciolacu says he believes in young people, with whom he has preserved constant dialogue since taking office, via representative associations or through government internship programs, aimed at familiarizing young people with decision-making processes at the level of the Romanian government and institutions in its subordination.

     

    WAR IN GAZA – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on the Hamas Palestinian organization to accept a truce in Gaza, reiterating the United States’ opposition towards an Israeli offensive on Rafah (south). During his 7th mission to the Middle East since the conflict broke out, Antony Blinken visited Israel, expressing determination to reach a consensus “right now” to allow for the liberation of hostages held by Hamas in the last seven months. The US official met with a number of Israeli officials, including the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Israel, Antony Blinken argued that, while Washington firmly supporters Israel’s right to self-defense, it opposes the idea of an all-out attack on Rafah, insisting on continuing to expand humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian population in Gaza.

     

     

    EVACUATIONS – Nine Romanian citizens and their families have been evacuated from Gaza and have reached Egypt, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced. From there they were picked up by a mobile consular team of the Romanian Embassy in Egypt, which accompanied them to Cairo and helped board them on the flight to Bucharest. Another Romanian citizen on Tuesday was assisted in leaving Gaza. So far, 323 Romanian citizens and their families have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas conflict started. The Romanian Foreign Ministry remains in permanent contact with Israeli and Egyptian authorities to assist in the evacuation process, depending on requests and developments on the ground.

     

     

    GYMNASTICS – The Romanian women’s gymnastics team will today compete in the qualifiers of the European Gymnastics Championships in Rimini, Italy. The team comprises Sabrina Voinea, Lilia Cosman, Amalia Ghigoarţă, Maria Ceplinschi and Ana-Maria Bărbosu. (VP)

  • April 25, 2024 UPDATE

    April 25, 2024 UPDATE

    GOVERNMENT The Romanian government convened in a special session on Thursday in Timisoara, western Romania, where it endorsed, among other things, a series of infrastructure projects with regional impact. One of these projects is the construction of a stadium with a capacity of 30 thousand seats, an investment estimated at 167 million Euros, the locals have been expecting for years. The cabinet has also endorsed the opening of the international border checkpoint in Beba Veche for the international traffic of people and goods. A decision has also been approved so that pensioners may get their pensions before the Orthodox Easter.

     

    EU Thursday was the last day of work for the present European Legislature. In a speech before Parliament in Strasbourg, its president, Roberta Metsola has voiced satisfaction for the laws, which were endorsed during the five year mandate, of the debates hosted by the aforementioned institution and for the way in which the present members of the Legislature dealt with all the challenges, such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. She wished all those running for a fresh term in office, strength, patience, and success and to do everything they can so that Europe may come closer to the citizens. Europeans will vote for their Parliament in early June. Romania will hold elections for the European Parliament on 9 June.

     

    TAROM Romania’s main air carrier TAROM will receive aid from the European Commission until the end of the month and then enter a stage of economic reorganization, the Romanian Transport Minister, Sorin Grindeanu has said. He reiterated the desire of the Bucharest administration to save the company, which has been facing financial difficulties for 15 years. Grindeanu said that with this European aid, TAROM will enter a period of reorganization aimed at placing the company on “solid economic principles”. He said that an operator the size of TAROM usually has between 500 and 600 employees, of which over 90% are seafarers, while TAROM has double the number of employees, which is not sustainable. In this respect, Grindeanu stated that although the objective is to attract investors, the possibility of making 50% of the employees redundant is not excluded.

     

    TALKS Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in addition to challenges to security in the area, also led to the disruption of global markets and supply chains, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu at the meeting he had on Thursday in Bucharest with Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. The Head of Government presented Romania’s steps to develop connectivity to the Black Sea, as part of the EU’s strategy to invest in infrastructure projects worldwide. From this perspective, the Romanian sea and Danube ports play an important role in rendering the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor effective, added the Romanian Prime Minister. The European Commissioner is in Bucharest to discuss Romania’s role in promoting sustainable development worldwide against the background of the current difficult geopolitical context.

     

    DECLARATION Leaders of 18 countries, including Romanian president Klaus Iohannis on Thursday signed a joint declaration calling for the release of the hostages in the Gaza Strip. ”We are asking for the immediate release of all the hostages Hamas has held for 200 days. Some of our citizens are among these hostages. The fate of the hostages and the civil population of Gaza, which are protected by international law, is an international concern”, says the document. Most of the signatories are European states, other countries are Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, the United States and Thailand.

     

    (bill)

     

  • April 22, 2024 UPDATE

    April 22, 2024 UPDATE

    VISIT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday started a three-day official visit to South Korea, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region which Romania has a strategic partnership with. Iohannis laid a wreath at the National Cemetery in Seoul. Political consultations will focus on issues related to the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership, political-diplomatic and defense cooperation, the main regional and global challenges and boosting trade and investments in various sectors. Among them are green and nuclear energy, new technologies, IT&C, environment and climate change management, infrastructure, health and education. The meeting will also emphasize the special inter-cultural exchanges, which have been consolidated in recent years. The Romanian president’s visit to South Korea is the first in 16 years.

     

    MISSIONS – Parliament on Monday greenlit the participation of Romanian military in demining naval missions in the Black Sea following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in response to the Romanian president’s request. Romania will deploy general staff and a military vessel with an 85-strong crew. Parliament also approved the participation of the Romanian Army in the EU maritime security mission in the Red Sea. 3 Romanian servicemen will join the Prosperity Guardian mission led by US in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the territory of Bahrain.

     

    AIRCRAFT – Three F-16 aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway, landed on Friday at the “General Emanoil Ionescu” 71st Air Base in Câmpia Turzii (center). It is the second series of three such aircraft bought by Romania from the Norway, the first being received last November. According to the Defense Ministry, through the 32 multirole F-16 aircraft that will endow two more squadrons of the Air Forces by the end of next year, Romania is strengthening its air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region.

     

    SERVICEMEN – The Romanian army faces a shortage of professional servicemen. The first conscription campaign held over February-April, over 6,400 people applied for the 5,100 vacancies, 24% failed the fitness test, 18% the psychological test and 12% the medical test. The total number of candidates who passed was 2,626. The Romanian Defense Ministry says the level of difficulty for the fitness test is average, allowing people aged 18-45 with normal fitness development to pass it without major difficulties.

     

    EP – The European Parliament convenes in a new plenary sitting in Strasbourg, as of today until Thursday. The meeting’s agenda includes topics such as violence against women, the revision of the EU’s Agricultural Policy and combating money laundering. Iran’s attack on Israel, the ban on the EU market for products manufactured through forced labor, the effects of the so-called Russian interference in the European Parliament, the assessment of the results of the Russian elections and the situation of the state of law in Hungary will also be discussed. The plenary sitting this week is the last one of the current European Parliament makeup, before the European elections on June 9. (EE & VP)

  • April 20, 2024 UPDATE

    April 20, 2024 UPDATE

    PLANES Three F-16 jet fighters Romania bought from Norway landed at the Air Base 71 in Campia Turzii, central Romania on Friday. This has been the second batch of these multi-role fighters Romania bought from Norway; the first batch arrived in November, last year. According to the National Defence Ministry, the 32 F-16s Romania is going to receive by the end of next year are meant to consolidate the country’s air defence adjusted to the regional security challenges. They are going to play a major role in keeping an allied posture of defence and deterrence on the eastern flank and will ensure transition towards the fifth generation, the F-35 planes Romania is going to get, as minister Angel Tilvar says. The Romanian air forces now boast 20 F-16 jet fighters.

     

    RATING In the past year agencies have reconfirmed Romania’s sovereign rating and stable prospect, but there is room for improvement, such as the lower-cost access to funding on international capital markets and for attracting foreign investment – the country’s Finance Minister Marcel Bolos says in a Facebook post. During a working visit he paid to Washington, the Romanian official held talks with representatives of famous rating agencies, such as Standard&Poor’s and Moody’s on Romania’s economic particularities and the strategies aimed at ensuring macro-economic stability. Bolos also attended the spring proceedings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. According to Bolos, in order to raise economic competitiveness and create an appropriate environment for durable investment, Bucharest is focusing on fiscal consolidation, on raising investment in infrastructure and education, on boosting private investment and the promotion of an effective and transparent economic governance.

     

    HOLIDAY The Romanian Black Sea resorts are stepping up preparations for the upcoming mini-holiday on May 1st and the Orthodox Easter, to be celebrated on May 5th and which actually opens the summer holiday season in Romania. Owners of hotels, restaurants and guest houses in the region are expecting a large number of tourists as many rooms have already been booked. According to Corina Martin, secretary general of the Federation of Employers’ Associations, over 80 thousand people are expected to spend the mini-holiday in the aforementioned seaside resorts. The largest number of tourists is expected in the resort of Mamaia. Between May 1st and 7th the resort will be hosting the International Electronic Music Festival, Sunwaves, which is expected to bring together roughly 6 thousand tourists from abroad, a gastronomic festival and outdoor concerts given by Romania’s top artists.

     

    VISIT Over April 22 and 24, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis will be paying a formal visit to the Republic of Korea, upon the invitation of his counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol. The Republic of Korea is the first country in the Asia-Pacific area with which Romania raised its relations at the level of strategic partnership in 2008. On the occasion of Iohannis’ upcoming visit to Seoul, this partnership will be consolidated through a document, which sets the cooperation directions for the next 10 years. Relevant documents are expected to be signed in the field of defence, nuclear energy, investment and foreign trade, cooperation in emergency situations and disaster management, cooperation in the field of culture, mass-media, youth and sports. In the Republic of Korea, the Romanian president will be meeting representatives of the Romanian community and business environment and will be visiting an exhibition of Romanian traditional art.

     

    SPORTS According to the Facebook page of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, Romanian athlete Bianca Ghelber managed to clear the Olympic qualification threshold in the hammer throw event in Nairobi, Kenya. Ghelber’s third throw measured 74.06 m, 6 centimeters over the threshold imposed by the World Athletics. She ended the contest on the second position after Janee Kassanavoid of the USA, which threw 75.99 meters. For Bianca Ghelber, that would be the fourth participation in the Olympic Games, after Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Tokyo 2020. Team Romania now boasts 79 qualified athletes in ten sporting contests, athletics, swimming, boxing, kayak-canoe, rowing, gymnastics, water polo, table tennis, wrestling. Weightlifters Mihaela Cambei and Loredana Toma have also qualified, but are still to be officially recognized.

     

    ROAD A 2.2 kilometer section of modernized motorway was opened in Galati, a Romanian port on the Danube, on Saturday. The new section will ease the access to Europe of transporters from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. The section is part of a complex 140 million euro project, which also includes a goods terminal in the port of Galati, the only Romanian one along the Rhine-Danube corridor benefitting from a double-gauge rail infrastructure. The other investment stages are scheduled to unfold by the end of next year.

    (bill)

     

  • April 20, 2024

    April 20, 2024

    PLANES Three F-16 jet fighters Romania bought from Norway landed at the Air Base 71 in Campia Turzii, central Romania on Friday. This has been the second batch of these multi-role fighters Romania bought from Norway; the first batch arrived in November, last year. According to the National Defence Ministry, the 32 F-16s Romania is going to receive by the end of next year are meant to consolidate the country’s air defence adjusted to the regional security challenges. They are going to play a major role in keeping an allied posture of defence and deterrence on the eastern flank and will ensure transition towards the fifth generation, the F-35 planes Romania is going to get, as minister Angel Tilvar says. The Romanian air forces now boast 20 F-16 jet fighters.

     

    RATING In the past year agencies have reconfirmed Romania’s sovereign rating and stable prospect, but there is room for improvement, such as the lower-cost access to funding on international capital markets and for attracting foreign investment – the country’s Finance Minister Marcel Bolos says in a Facebook post. During a working visit he paid to Washington, the Romanian official held talks with representatives of famous rating agencies, such as Standard&Poor’s and Moody’s on Romania’s economic particularities and the strategies aimed at ensuring macro-economic stability. Bolos also attended the spring proceedings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. According to Bolos, in order to raise economic competitiveness and create an appropriate environment for durable investment, Bucharest is focusing on fiscal consolidation, on raising investment in infrastructure and education, on boosting private investment and the promotion of an effective and transparent economic governance.

     

    HOLIDAY The Romanian Black Sea resorts are stepping up preparations for the upcoming mini-holiday on May 1st and the Orthodox Easter, to be celebrated on May 5th and which actually opens the summer holiday season in Romania. Owners of hotels, restaurants and guest houses in the region are expecting a large number of tourists as many rooms have already been booked. According to Corina Martin, secretary general of the Federation of Employers’ Associations, over 80 thousand people are expected to spend the mini-holiday in the aforementioned seaside resorts. The largest number of tourists is expected in the resort of Mamaia. Between May 1st and 7th the resort will be hosting the International Electronic Music Festival, Sunwaves, which is expected to bring together roughly 6 thousand of tourists from abroad, a gastronomic festival and outdoor concerts given by Romania’s top artists.

     

    WEATHER The weather is getting warmer in Romania with highs between 13 and 19 degrees Celsius and a noon reading in Bucharest of 13 degrees. The sky is overcast and rainshowers are expected in the south-east, in the south, center and to a lower extent in the rest of the territory. Heavy downpours have been forecast for certain regions in the country’s south-east whereas mixed precipitations are going to fall in the mountains. Snowfalls are expected at altitudes over 15 hundred meters. The wind is moderate but expected to intensify in the country’s south-eastern regions including the Black Sea coast.

     

    VISIT Over April 22 and 24, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis will be paying a formal visit to the Republic of Korea, upon the invitation of his counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol. The Republic of Korea is the first country in the Asia-Pacific area with which Romania raised its relations at the level of strategic partnership in 2008. On the occasion of Iohannis’ upcoming visit to Seoul, this partnership will be consolidated through a document, which sets the cooperation directions for the next 10 years. Relevant documents are expected to be signed in the field of defence, nuclear energy, investment and foreign trade, cooperation in emergency situations and disaster management, cooperation in the field of culture, mass-media, youth and sports. In the Republic of Korea, the Romanian president will be meeting representatives of the Romanian community and business environment and will be visiting an exhibition of Romanian traditional art.

    (bill)

  • April 19, 2024

    April 19, 2024

    VISIT Over April 22 and 24, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis will be paying a formal visit to the Republic of Korea, upon the invitation of his counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol. The Republic of Korea is the first country in the Asia-Pacific area with which Romania raised its relations at the level of strategic partnership in 2008. On the occasion of Iohannis’ upcoming visit to Seoul, this partnership will be consolidated through a document, which sets the cooperation directions for the next 10 years. Relevant documents are expected to be signed in the field of defence, nuclear energy, investment and foreign trade, cooperation in emergency situations and disaster management, cooperation in the field of culture, mass-media, youth and sports. In the Republic of Korea, the Romanian president will be meeting representatives of the Romanian community and business environment and will be visiting an exhibition of Romanian traditional art.

      

    SPORTS Lots drawn on Thursday night in Vienna have distributed Romania to Group B, together with the sides of Montenegro, the Czech Republic and Serbia at the European Women’s Handball Championship – EHF EURO 2024. The competition’s 16th edition will be hosted by Austria, Hungary and Switzerland over November 28 and December 15. Romania has participated in the aforementioned competition 14 times and obtained only one medal, bronze in 2010. In another development, Romania’s delegation at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris has been credited with winning 10 medals, two gold, three silver and five bronze, according to a virtual ranking drawn up by Nielsen Gracenote research company, quoted by Reuters. Romania comes 25th in the aforementioned ranking in terms of the total number of medals. 80 Romanian athletes have so far qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris.

     

    ATTACK The US embassy in Israel has today called on its employees and their families to limit movement around the country a couple of hours after the explosions attributed to Israel in Iran. The explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan, where military bases and elements of the Iranian nuclear programme are located. Explosions have also been reported in Syria and Iraq, countries where pro-Iranian Shia militias are being located. Iran has denied the attack whereas Israel has neither confirmed nor denied it. Earlier Israel had threatened with responses after the Iranian drone attack on April 13 launched in retaliation for the killing of several Iranian officers in an alleged Israeli bombing in Damascus. Allies have called on Israel not to respond, whereas Tehran threatened with more retaliation in case of an Israeli response. The two states have for years been involved in an indirect conflict. Israel has been behind a series of sabotages in Iran as well as the assassination of several scientists and officers involved in the country’s nuclear programme. Israel has also bombed several Iranian objectives in Syria. In turn Iran is supporting anti-Israeli militias such as Hezbollah and Palestinian groups Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

     

    TOUR The Middle East tour of the Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu ends today in Abu Dhabi where he is expected to have talks with representatives of Dubai Port World. The talks he had on Thursday with officials from the United Arab Emirates focused on attracting investment in Romania’s transport, energy and agriculture infrastructure. The Romanian delegation is next visiting the Sheik Zayed Bin mosque, the largest in the Emirates. Prime Minister Ciolacu’s four days of talks in Qatar and the UAE focused on ensuring security in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The head of the Romanian Executive said that Romania remains committed together with the European Union, the United States and regional partners to contributing to the efforts aimed at deescalating the situation in the Middle East.

     

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  • April 18, 2024 UPDATE

    April 18, 2024 UPDATE

    REPATRIATION A group made up of 20 children and two teachers who were blocked by the latest heavy rainfalls in Dubai are to be repatriated on Friday on board of the plane, which also carried Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to the region. We recall that a Romanian delegation headed by Ciolacu is presently visiting the region. Romania’s Foreign Minister, Luminita Odobescu, says that the Romanian Foreign Ministry is making efforts to repatriate all the Romanians affected by the storms and flooding affecting the Emirates. According to her, a group of compatriots have already been brought to Romania, whereas a second one is still in Dubai but is keeping in touch both with the ministry’s representatives and with the air carrier. Referring to the situation of the group of children, members of a traditional music ensemble, the head of the Romanian diplomacy says they have been brought to Adbu Dhabi with support from Romania’s General Consulate and will leave for Bucharest tomorrow.

     

    SCHENGEN The European Commissioner for Home Affairs Yilva Johansson has voiced hope that a certain date will be set this year for Romania and Bulgaria’s fully-fledged accession to the Schengen zone as proposed by the European Commission. While in Bulgarian capital Sofia, the EU official held talks with both the Bulgarian Interior Minister, Kalin Stoyanov, and the Romanian one, Catalin Predoiu. In late March, Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s border-free area only with their air and maritime borders. Controls are still being carried out at the land borders.

     

    ABU DHABI The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is paying a working visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and Friday. An important objective of this visit is the consolidation of the economic component, with an emphasis on attracting Emirati investments. The Prime Minister is to meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with other senior Emirati officials, with representatives of relevant companies in the United Arab Emirates, as well as with members of the Romanian community there. The agenda of the visit also includes a plenary meeting of the delegations, during which there will be an exchange of bilateral documents in areas of common interest. The PM Ciolacu stated that he wanted to strengthen cooperation relations with the United Arab Emirates, from a political and economic perspective. ‘Romania continues to attract Emirati investors in the air infrastructure, the modernization and expansion of Otopeni Airport being a viable project of our collaboration’, said Marcel Ciolacu. He added that projects in the fields of digitization, energy and agriculture also correspond to Romania’s interests. In the first part of his tour in the Persian Gulf area, Marcel Ciolacu had discussions, on Wednesday, in Qatar, on economic topics. He stated that he wanted Romania to become the entry gate of this state’s investments in the European Union.

     

     

    SUMMIT President Klaus Iohannis said that he wanted to solve as quickly as possible the problems that the Romanian citizens still have at the airports of some European countries, despite the fact that Romania entered Schengen with air borders. The statement was made before the European summit in Brussels, where a report requested by the Council mentions the need for the total integration of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Area, as a measure that will boost the single market. The Council’s agenda includes the situation in Ukraine, a country that needs more military aid and is facing problems in the energy infrastructure, following the Russian bombings. The European leaders will also discuss the tense situation in the Middle East, generated by the crisis in Gaza and the tensions between Israel and Iran.

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  • April 17, 2024

    April 17, 2024

    MEETING Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis is participating today and tomorrow in the special proceedings of the European Council in Brussels. According to the presidential administration in Bucharest, high on the meeting agenda there are topics such as prospects for a new European pact for competitiveness and the EU’s relation with Turkey. European leaders are also expected to tackle the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the EU’s future strategic agenda. The Romanian president will also attend the reception offered by the Belgian king Philippe in honour of the EU heads of state and government.

     

    VISIT The Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and six of his cabinet ministers are today continuing their visit in Qatar, a major trade partner of Romania’s in the Gulf region. On Wednesday in Doha, the Romanian Prime Minister was received by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. High on the Romanian Prime Minister’s agenda are talks with the local officials on major investment projects in Romania as well as the consolidation of cooperation in key fields such as new technologies or energy. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, several bilateral documents are expected to be signed during the visit. From Qatar, the Romanian delegation will travel to the United Arab Emirates.

     

    TALKS The United States is working with Romania regarding the security risks that appeared in the context of the war in Ukraine, said James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. The US official held talks in Bucharest with the Romanian Minister of Defence, Angel Tilvar, during which he appreciated the cooperation between Romania and Ukraine, which it described as ‘essential for the Ukrainian people’. According to him, the cooperation between Washington and Bucharest is focusing on the cyber and hybrid threats and also air, maritime and land surveillance in an attempt to detect and stop the Russian drones that may enter Romania’s territory. In turns, Angel Tilvar has highlighted the need of consolidating NATO’s presence on the entire Eastern Flank. James O’Brien is presently on a European tour, which will also take him to Bulgaria, Switzerland and Slovenia.

     

    RATE March was the third month in a row in which Romania had the highest inflation rate in the European Union, 6.7%. According to Eurostat, this rate dropped to 2.6% in the bloc. The member countries with the lowest inflation rates were Lithuania, 0.4%, Finland 0.6% and Denmark, 0.8%. In another development, the IMF has revised down from 3.8% to 2.8% its forecast on Romania’s economic growth this year. As for inflation, the IMF has forecast an average inflation rate of 6% and 4% next year. At the same time, the aforementioned financial institution is expecting to keep Romania’s current account deficit at 7.1% of the GDP in 2024, similar to last year.

     

    WEATHER The weather is generally unstable in Romania and temperatures have dropped almost in the entire territory. Rain showers have been reported in almost all regions. The wind will be stronger in the country’s south and east. Storms and hails are expected on isolated areas. The highs of the day will be between 9 and 26 degrees Celsius.

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  • April 9, 2024

    April 9, 2024

    MEETING – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is today meeting, in Bucharest, with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi. The talks that the latter had on Monday with Romanian officials such as Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu and Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja focused on the close collaboration between Romania and the IAEA in the development of the civil nuclear program and on the prospects for deepening cooperation in the energy field. The foreign official highlighted Romania’s international profile and its responsible and internationally recognized nuclear policy.

     

    DEFICIT – Romania’s trade balance deficit in the first two months of this year was 4.142 billion euros, by 228.4 million euros smaller than the one recorded in the same period in 2023, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics, published on Tuesday. In February, a trade deficit of 2.174 billion euros was registered. Statistical data show that between January 1 and February 29, 2024, exports totaled 15.042 billion euros, and imports – 19.184 billion euros. Compared to the same period of last year, exports decreased by 0.1%, and imports by 1.2%. In the first two months of 2024, important shares in the structure of exports and imports are held by the product groups: machinery and transport equipment (47.3% for export and 36.3% for import) and other manufactured products (29.1% for export and 27.9% for import). The value of intra-EU27 exchanges of goods in the mentioned period was 11.045 billion euros for shipments and 14.111 billion euros for introductions, representing 73.4% of total exports and 73.6% of total imports.

     

    FISHING – The general ban on fishing began on Tuesday in all natural waters in Romania, according to an order approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment. Consequently, commercial and recreational activity is to be resumed on June 8, with some exceptions. The ban will last 60 days in the natural fishing habitats, while in the waters that form the state border with Ukraine it will last 45 days, being prohibited from April 16 to May 30. The fishing prohibition period is established depending on the reproduction season of the aquatic fauna, so that it is protected, with a view to sustainable exploitation. During the prohibition period, fishermen can carry out their activity in private lakes.

     

     

    EU – The European Commission has approved an aid scheme for Romanian businesses of approximately 2.5 billion euros. This is intended to protect companies affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Commission concluded that the reintroduction of support for Romanian companies remains necessary, adequate and proportionate to remedy the significant disturbances in the economy of a member state. The scheme aims to ensure that the affected companies continue to have enough liquidities.

     

    VISIT – The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, announced that he will make official visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. He hailed what he called Qatar’s direct involvement in rescuing Romanian citizens from the Gaza Strip, the scene of the war between the Israeli army and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, and said he wanted to reiterate his thanks to the Qatari leaders. In the United Arab Emirates, Ciolacu also said, he will hold talks on possible investments in the development of the Constanţa Port (south-east), the TAROM state owned airline and the Bucharest Airport.

     

    CARS – The number of new car registered in Romania went down by 22% in March compared to the same month last year and by more than 17% compared to the previous month, according to the Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association. The electric car segment experienced a setback of almost 36% compared to the same period in 2023. As regards the market share depending on the engine, gasoline cars occupy the first place, with over 58%, followed by electric ones, with almost 24%, and Diesel, with almost 18%. In March 2024, the best selling 100% electric cars in Romania were Dacia Spring and Tesla

  • April 4, 2024 UPDATE

    April 4, 2024 UPDATE

    NATO Romania’s NATO accession represented the fulfillment of a historic aspiration and a security imperative and now the alliance is an essential pillar of our foreign and security policy, Romania’s Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu said in a speech during a ceremony marking 75 years since the foundation of NATO.  According to the head of the Romanian diplomacy, the alliance has passed the test of time and proved strategic vision, determination, resilience, and adjustment abilities. NATO has become stronger in terms of size and influence, the minister went on to say. Romania is firmly devoted to NATO’s permanent adjustment process so that it may become stronger and better prepared for the future” – Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said in a message on a social network. In turn, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said the present development in terms of security at regional and global levels confirms the need for a joint defensive concept in response to Russia’s expansionist ambitions and the aggression against Ukraine. NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said the United States and Europe are stronger and safer within the Atlantic Alliance. It was announced the member countries are working on a financial framework for a 100 billion dollars military aid for Ukraine. Part of the allies said they would be backing the Czech initiative to buy weapons for Kyiv from third countries.

     

    BANK Romania’s Central Bank, also known as BNR, on Thursday decided to keep the yearly key interest rate at 7%, a figure, which remained unchanged for one year and four months. The interest levels the banks can take loans from the Central Bank and those they get while keeping their deposits at the Central Bank have also been kept. The annual inflation rate went up to 7.41% in January and to 7.23 a month later and according to BNR experts, it will continue its downward trend in the following months.

     

    INVESTIGATION The European Commission has opened two in-depth investigations in Romania in connection to possible problems with the implementation of a big EU-funded project. According to a statement from Brussels, the target is a tender launched by a company from Rovinari for the design, construction and exploitation of a photovoltaic park. The project is partially funded by the EU’s Modernisation Fund and the Commission believes there are sufficient indications that two of the bidders received foreign subsidies that distort the internal market. One of the consortiums that made a bid is listed on the Hong Kong exchange and the other is subordinated to the China Central People’s Government. Under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation, companies are obliged to notify their public procurement tenders in the EU when the estimated value of the contract exceeds €250 million, and when the company was granted at least €4 million in foreign financial contributions from at least one third country in the three years prior to notification.

     

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  • March 29, 2024 UPDATE

    March 29, 2024 UPDATE

    GRAIN Romania’s grain output went up by 9 percent last year, up to 21 million tons mainly due to the more productive types sowed, the National Institute for Statistics said. The growth has been influenced by the 11% increase in the wheat production, which accounts for 47% of the total grain production. Data shows that Romania ranks fourth in Europe in terms of wheat production after France, Germany and Poland.

     

    DST Romania will this weekend implement the Daylight Saving Time DST and will set clocks forward by one hour. So, three AM becomes four AM and Sunday becomes the shortest day of the year. The change takes place a couple of days after the Spring equinox on March 20th, when days are equal with nights. Thanks to the DST, Romania will have a three hours advance against the GMT as compared to only two in winter. DST is expected to last a little under seven months, nearly 65% of the year covering the seasons of spring, summer and half of autumn. The EU members were supposed to announce their decision to permanently adopt the summer or winter time until 2021. However, discussions on the issue still continue.

     

    ­­SCHENGEN As of March 31st, air and maritime checks on Schengen borders will be lifted for Romania and Bulgaria. This means that documents will no longer be checked. In Romania, border policemen can still make unannounced checks, based on a risk analysis. The preparations taking place on 17 airports and four maritime ports in Romania have come to an end. Also, to prepare for 31st March, some big airports in Romania, such as the ones in Iasi and Timisoara, have opened new terminals. Initiated in 1985 as an intergovernmental project between five states – France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg – and after seven waves of expansion, the Schengen area is currently the largest free movement area in the world. With the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, it expands to 4.5 million square km and a population of 450 million.

     

    NATO From the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, across the Atlantic and the Adriatic, NATO is more united and more capable than ever, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said on Friday in a message on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the largest wave of expansion in the Alliance’s history. On behalf of the United States, Blinken congratulated Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of their accession to NATO. The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has also said that Romania will remain deeply involved in the process of permanent adaptation of NATO, so that the Alliance becomes stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. In the 20 years of NATO membership, Romania has become an important pillar and has consolidated its position within the alliance, respecting its security commitments in the Black Sea area, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said. NATO was established in 1949 as a security alliance between the United States, Canada and 10 West European countries. Sweden is the youngest member, as it has joined NATO this year. There are currently 32 states making up the Alliance.

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  • March 28, 2024

    March 28, 2024

    FRANCOPHONIE – Romania is hosting an economic mission of the International Organization of La Francophonie, as well as a dedicated economic forum on its sidelines, a high-profile platform addressing businesses from French-speaking countries. Attending will be entrepreneurs and government officials from 88 member states. In an opening statement delivered on Wednesday, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, highlighted opportunities to further develop trade and investment between Central Europe, including Romania, and other French-speaking countries. On the sidelines of the event, Romanian companies can talk to potential business partners from Africa, Asia, North America, the Caribbean or Europe. Agri-food, IT, green energy and medical industry are but some of the sectors featured in the economic forum.

     

     

    GOVERNMENT – A draft emergency decree in the field of taxation is today discussed by the government. According to the document, meal allowances are expected to be maintained at the current value, applicable to all employees whose monthly income is below 1,600 EUR. Economic operators who reported accounting losses will be allowed to provide pay rises subject to certain conditions. State-owned enterprises that registered profits will deliver at least 50% of their dividends to the state budget. The government is also examining another two draft laws whereby it plans to deliver emergency aid worth 340 thousand EUR to underprivileged families and individuals and to create a subsidy scheme for regional development by boosting investment.

     

     

    PRESIDENCY – The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, has ratified the law banning the selling of e-cigarettes to minors. The law seeks to reduce the exposure of children and teenagers to tabaco products and stipulates fines up to 20,000 EUR, depending on the severity of the offense. The head of state also ratified the law on developing social services to prevent disenfranchised children from getting separated from their families. Under the new law, local authorities must organize daycare centers in local communities, with half of the expenses getting covered by the state.

     

     

    SCHENGEN – On March 31, Romania will join the Schengen area with its air and maritime borders. Starting this day, Romanians travelling to EU space and Schengen member states will no longer go through customs and passport control, but will go straight to boarding gates. Romania’s partial accession to Schengen will be marked on Friday through the inauguration of a new international departures terminal at the “Traian Vuia” Airport in Timișoara. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis are expected to attend the opening event.

     

     

    PRESS FREEDOM – The European Council and the European Parliament have green-lit the final draft of the Media Freedom Act, which compels members states to guarantee editorial independence of public service media by ensuring sustainable and predictable funding. The law protects online content and ensures enhanced transparency of media ownership. Authorities will be prohibited from pressing journalists and editors to disclose their sources, an underlying principle of investigative journalism in addition to access to information. The Media Freedom Act will also introduce an independent committee for media services comprising media authorities from member states, which will advise the European Commission regarding member states’ degree of compliance with the law.

     

     

    EPPO – The European Prosecutor’s Office is carrying out an investigation into the fraudulent purchase of tugboats for Lower Danube Delta, which caused a prejudice of approximately 7 mln EUR to the EU budget. The investigation targets workers with the Administration of the Galați Lower Danube River Administration and the Romanian Naval Authority. In 2019, the two institutions secured funding to purchase two multi-purpose tugboats, but delivered inaccurate documentation, prosecutors say. Although the boats were solely intended for river navigation, the suspects drew up the tendering specifications on the basis of the more restrictive technical characteristics and construction requirements specific to seagoing vessels. As a result, the type of vessels falling within the criteria of the tender specifications was very limited, which prevented other economic operators from participating in the tendering process, and ultimately favored only one applicant. Following the finalization of the contract with the supplier company, the two tugboats were delivered in July 2021, exclusively suited for maritime Danube, where the depth of the water permits navigation with a higher draught – therefore rendering the two boats unusable for river navigation. (VP)

  • March 21, 2024

    March 21, 2024

    SUMMITS Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis participates on Thursday and Friday in the Nuclear Energy summit, the European Council proceedings and the extended Euro Summit underway in Brussels. According to a communiqué by the presidential administration in Bucharest, the Nuclear Energy Summit, staged by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Kingdom of Belgium is today offering the heads of state and government the occasion of sharing a vision concerning the key role of the nuclear energy in reaching climate neutrality, energy security and economic development. The European Council is kicking off today with a working visit by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, which also includes an opinion exchange on the geo-political situation and present global challenges, mainly in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine, a country invaded by the Russian troops. Emphasis will be laid on the continuation of the multidimensional support for Kyiv, including military support. President Iohannis will emphasize the fact that the neighboring Romania remains one of Ukraine’s firm supporters and plead for the continuation of the multidimensional support, including humanitarian, military and concerning the transit of the Ukrainian grain as long as it takes.’

     

    ELECTION Bucharest’s mayor Nicusor Dan has withdrawn the main executive prerogatives of the Liberal deputy mayor Stelian Bujduveanu, after physician Catalin Cirstoiu was announced the joint candidate for the Bucharest mayor seat by the PSD – PNL alliance. With support from the United Right Alliance, Nicusor Dan is running for a second term in office. In another development, the Central Technical Committee for coordinating the election for the local administration and the European Parliament on June 9th convened for a first session on Wednesday. The vice-president of the Permanent Election Authority, Marian Muhulet said there are no special challenges this year, in which Romania will be seeing all the four types of election, while the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu has made an appeal for transparency and equidistance in the process of staging fair election.

     

    PLAN Romania has two years to accomplish all the objectives assumed in the National Plan of Recovery and Resilience known as PNRR, a financial support package consisting of loans and grants mainly aimed at eliminating the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The warning was launched in Bucharest by the European Commission officials in charge of PNRR implementation. During the conference aimed at assessing the PNRR implementation in Romania, officials have cautioned against a potential situation that if Romania fails to meet the targets, the country can find itself in the situation of reimbursing the money. The Romanian officials however, have given assurances the Plan has generally achieved headway since last year.

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