Radio România Internațional

Tag: Moldova

  • August 31, 2024 UPDATE

    August 31, 2024 UPDATE

     

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

     

    VISIT The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, Saturday was on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova, for talks with his counterpart Maia Sandu. On this occasion, the two officials signed a Joint Declaration on bilateral cooperation to consolidate the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, which has received consistent support from Romania so far to withstand the many challenges it has been facing. According to Iohannis, the hybrid war waged against the Republic of Moldova and its citizens is growing more intense and taking ever more severe forms. He emphasized that Romania’s strategic commitment to supporting the democratic development of Moldova would remain unwavering in the long run, and called on all international partners to provide consistent support in its EU accession efforts. In turn, Maia Sandu said Romania played a vital part in consolidating her country’s energy independence, and also highlighted Bucharest’s support in the EU accession process. The Romanian president’s visit to Chişinău took place as Romania and Moldova celebrated the Romanian Language Day on August 31.

     

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

     

    PENSIONS A bill on raising the pension tax threshold in Romania from EUR 400 at present to EUR 600 is to be endorsed next week in the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this respect, the culture minister Raluca Turcan announced. She said the measure had been promoted since 2022 by the National Liberal Party, and that after its endorsement in Parliament it would take effect on October 1. The ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party decided a few days ago that the new bill should be rushed through Parliament, instead of being endorsed by the government under an emergency order.

     

    LAW The legislation regarding extended restraining orders took effect in Romania on Saturday. The goal is to protect all victims, irrespective of their relations with the abuser. The justice minister, Alina Ghorghiu, says that previously, restraining orders were only issued for cases of domestic violence, but the new legislation also includes psychological abuse. She encouraged all victims to seek protection and to report abuse cases, regardless of the form of abuse and of who the abuser is. In this context, the Romanian justice ministry has initiated an awareness raising campaign called “Living in fear is not living.” In 2023, nearly 80,000 cases of domestic violence were reported to the police, and in over 30,000 cases the victims were women. (AMP)

  • August 31, 2024

    August 31, 2024

     

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

  • August 30, 2024 UPDATE

    August 30, 2024 UPDATE

    Visit – Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis will be paying a formal visit to Chişinău at the invitation of his Moldovan counterpart, Maia Sandu. The visit comes against the background of the two countries’ celebrating the Day of the Romanian language on August 31st. Iohannis is expected to deliver a firm message of support and encouragement for the authorities and citizens of the Republic of Moldova in their efforts to modernize and democratize the country and for the irreversible implementation of the rule of law and the European roadmap – the presidential administration has announced. The president will also be making an appeal to international partners to carry on their multidimensional assistance to the Republic of Moldova mainly in the context of the aggression war Russia is presently waging on Ukraine and all the risks entailed by this situation.

     

    Sanctions – Romania supports the adoption of new sanctions against Russia. During Thursday’s informal meeting, in Brussels, of the European Foreign Ministers with their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitro Kuleba, the Romanian FM Luminiţa Odobescu emphasized that the pressure on Moscow must be maintained and the military and energy support given to Ukraine must be continued. The issue of military aid for Kyiv was also discussed on Friday at the informal meeting of the defense ministers of the member states. The agenda of the meeting also included the operational commitments carried out under the auspices of the Common Security and Defense Policy, the EU’s level of preparation in the field of defense and the prospects for the development of the EU Satellite Center. The Secretary of State for Defense Policy, Planning and International Relations, Simona Cojocaru, who represented Romania, highlighted the essential role of the European Union Military Assistance Mission to support Ukraine (EUMAM UA), as well as of the European Peace Facility. She also reiterated the existence of challenges in the extended Black Sea region, caused by the Russian Federation’s war of aggression.

     

    Football – The Romanian football champions, FCSB, qualified to the Europa League groups after the victory obtained, on Thursday evening, in Bucharest, against the Austrian team LASK Linz, with the score 1-0, in the decisive leg of the play-off. The first leg had ended in a draw, 1 all. The vice-champions CFR Cluj (north-west) failed to qualify to the Conference League groups, after losing, away from home, score 3-0, the play-off decisive match against the Cypriot team FC Pafos. In the first leg, Cluj won 1-0. The English team Manchester United and the Scottish team Glasgow Rangers are among FCSB’s opponents in the main phase of the Europa League, according to Friday’s drawing of lots in Monaco. The other opponents of FCSB are the Greek teams PAOK Thessaloniki and Olympiakos Piraeus, FC Midtjylland – the champion of Denmark, Qarabag FK – the champion of Azerbaijan, the German team Hoffenheim and FK RFS – the champion of Latvia.

     

    Internship – 148 young Romanians finished the government internship program that started on July 1 on Friday. For two months, they worked in government departments, ministries and other central public institutions. Mihai Ghigiu, the head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, told them that they are needed in the public administration. He showed that the average age in the administration will reach 50 years, which means that in the next 6-7-8 years many areas will be left without specialists. Mihai Ghigiu encouraged the young people to go and study abroad, and to use the acquired knowledge in Romania. (LS)

     

  • August 29, 2024 UPDATE

    August 29, 2024 UPDATE

    Farmers – An insurance system for agricultural land will be approved by the Romanian Government as part of a series of measures to help farmers whose crops have been affected by the drought, agriculture minister Florin Barbu said on Wednesday. The measures, to be adopted next week, include funds for this summer’s damage as well as a mechanism to ensure autumn and spring crops. Minister Barbu specified that compensation of up to 3,000 lei ( about 600 Euros) per hectare will be granted, which will unblock lending to Romanian farmers, following discussions with the banks’ representatives. The necessary funds will be provided from the national budget, and 17 million Euros will come from the EU’s risk fund. Also, the state aid scheme called “Farmer’s Credit” will be supplemented with approximately 80 million Euros.

     

    Chişinău – The first 40 school buses out of the 69 purchased with the help of Romania were distributed to educational institutions in several districts of the Republic of Moldova, a country with a majority Romanian-speaking population. More than 1,000 students from 40 rural schools will go to school in the new minibuses. Almost 95% of the funds needed to buy them were provided by the Romanian authorities. The rest are to be delivered by the end of October, Radio Chişinău reports. Previously, Romania helped the Republic of Moldova to buy 196 school minibuses in 2014 and 2017, as well as to modernize several kindergartens, for which more than 25 million Euros were allocated.

     

    George Enescu – The 2024 George Enescu International Competition starts in Bucharest on Saturday. Until September 27, a record number of candidates, 667 musicians aged 13 to 35 from almost 60 countries, are competing in the Composition, Cello, Violin and Piano categories. This year’s edition of the Competition will also include a Master class consisting of musical workshops for young artists specializing in conducting, violin, cello or piano. The workshops will be held by the acclaimed Romanian conductor Cristian Măcelaru, principal conductor of the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra and musical director of the National Orchestra of France. The George Enescu Competition started in September 1958 and this year it reaches its 19th edition.

     

    Elections – The Romanian government has set the dates for this year’s presidential election. The first round will take place on November 24, and the second on December 8. Last week the Government also decided the timetable for the parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on December 1, when Romania’s National Day is celebrated. We remind you that on June 9, Romanians have already elected their representatives in the European Parliament, as well as their mayors and heads of local and county councils.

     

    Law – Dog owners in Romania will be obliged to ensure a minimum area for each individual animal, namely at least 4 square meters for small dogs and 6 square meters for large ones, according to a document put up for public debate by the National Veterinary Sanitary Authority and for Animal Safety. The bill also establishes fines between 2,000 and 5,000 lei for individuals who breed dogs for sale without being registered as kennel-type units. The document also provides clear conditions for issuing decisions to euthanize dogs from public and private shelters and allows local authorities to subsidize from their own budgets the actions of sterilization, identification and registration of stray common breed dogs.

     

    Romanian Language Day – The Romanian Academy celebrates, in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca (north-west) and Iasi (north-east), the Romanian Language Day, established by law on August 31. On Thursday, in the Hall of the Bucharest Academy, a festive session was scheduled. The Institute of Linguistics and Literary History in Cluj organizes cultural, academic and educational activities registered under the aegis of “Romanian Language Week – Words that connect us”. Moreover, on August 31, the Iaşi Branch of the Romanian Academy meets the public, in the Botanical Garden, for an event named “Romanian Language Day – the celebration of Romanians everywhere”. During this period, events are also organized in the Diaspora, the Romanian Language Day being one of the most important cultural diplomacy events, aimed at highlighting the diversity and cultural heritage of the various Romanian-speaking communities around the world.

     

    Tennis – The Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse qualified, on Wednesday, to the third round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, after defeating the Czech Barbora Krejcikova, the winner of this year’s edition of Wimbledon in two sets, 6-4, 7-5. In the next round, Gabriela Ruse, who reaches the third round for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament, will be up against the Spanish Paula Badosa. The Romanian won the only direct match with her so far, in February 2022, in the first round in Dubai. (LS)

     

  • Republic of Moldova, 33 years of independence

    Republic of Moldova, 33 years of independence

    In 1991, after the failure of the conservative forces to seize power in Moscow, the Moldovan Parliament met on August 27 to decide the fate of the Republic of Moldova. Tens of thousands of citizens, who had gathered in the Great National Assembly in the center of Chişinău, asked the Parliament to vote for independence. And Parliament voted with an absolute majority for the Declaration of Independence. Neighboring Romania, to which the Republic of Moldova was linked by history and language, was the first to recognize its statehood. On Tuesday, the Republic of Moldova marked 33 years of independence in a complicated moment for it and for the entire European continent, generated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

     

    President Maia Sandu, whose Covid infection prevented her from physically participating in the events, sent a congratulatory message to her fellow citizens. ‘There is always the option to give up. The decisions we make can prevent us from advancing. We could have given up. The path we are choosing can be hard. We could have cared less. We could have given up and lost our courage. Every decision we make keeps us still or pushes us forward. We are what we choose day by day. We choose to stand up, no matter how hard it is. We choose to work for our future. We persevere for our children. We choose hope and life. We believe in the power of our nation’ readds the message sent by Maia Sandu.

     

    The presidents of the Baltic states, which, like the Republic of Moldova, broke up the vassal relations to Moscow in the early 90s and chose independence, participated in the ceremonies in Chişinău. They signed a joint statement reiterating their support for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union. The three welcomed the commitment of the Republic of Moldova to the implementation of reforms, the consolidation of democratic institutions and economic growth.

     

    The highest officials in Bucharest also conveyed messages on the occasion, given that Romania remains the main political and economic sponsor of the small neighboring state. Romania, President Klaus Iohannis wrote on the X network, will continue to offer the Republic of Moldova strategic support at all levels. “I convey congratulations to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on the occasion of Independence Day! You are part of the great European family, and the continuation of the current efforts will turn the accession to the European Union into an accomplished objective,” Klaus Iohannis emphasized.

     

    The Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also sent a congratulatory message, on Tuesday, to all the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, on the anniversary of Independence Day. Romania, he assured his counterpart from Chişinău, Dorin Recean, will be in the future, just as before, in the front line of efforts to consolidate the European path, the stability and democratic development of the neighboring country. “The place of the Republic of Moldova is in the European Union. I am convinced that, at the referendum on October 20, 2024, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will bluntly reaffirm this truth”, said Marcel Ciolacu. Citizens will be asked if they support amending the Constitution in relation to the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union. (LS)

  • August 28, 2024

    August 28, 2024

     

    ELECTIONS In its meeting today, the government of Romania is to set the calendar for the presidential election scheduled this autumn, on November 24 and December 8. The ballot will be held in parallel with the parliamentary election, which will be organized on December 1. The campaign for the parliamentary election begins on November 1 and ends on November 30, in the morning. In the country, polling stations will be open between 7 am and 9 pm, while Romanians living abroad will be able to vote between 7 am on November 30 and 9 pm on December 1. This is the first time that all the 4 types of elections (local, parliamentary, presidential, and the election for the European Parliament) are held in Romania in the same year.

     

    OECD Romania has today received a positive review in the competition sector as part of its OECD accession process. According to Romania’s Competition Council, the review was issued after an assessment that took place between 2018 and 2022. During the review, the Council had to demonstrate that its work meets the requirements of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Recommendations have also been made, and the stage of their implementation will be presented next year. Accession to the OECD is a priority for Romania, and is the country’s 3rd strategic goal after the NATO and EU accession.

     

    DEFICIT Romania’s budget deficit exceeds 4% of GDP after the first 7 months of the year, according to finance ministry data. In January – July, the government had total revenues of over EUR 66 bln, up 15% compared to the first 7 months of 2023. Budget expenditure however increased by over 23%, to more than EUR 80 bln. This year’s budget law is based on a 5% deficit level. Meanwhile, the minister for EU investments and projects Adrian Câciu announced that Romania has so far received EUR 23.84 bln under the cohesion policy in 2014-2020, reaching a 99.1% absorption rate.

     

    INDEPENDENCE The Republic of Moldova Tuesday celebrated 33 years since the proclamation of its independence from the former Soviet Union. Attending the ceremonies, the presidents of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia signed a joint statement of support for the country’s EU accession. In his message on this occasion, president Klaus Iohannis promised Romania will continue to provide strategic support to Moldova in all areas. In turn, PM Marcel Ciolacu reassured his Moldovan counterpart, Dorin Recean, that Romania will remain in the front line of the efforts to consolidate Moldova’s EU accession efforts, its stability and democratic development.

     

    WEATHER Thunderstorms were reported last night in several parts of the country. Weather experts have issued scores of extreme weather warnings. In Iaşi, in the north-east, the wind brought several trees down and damaged vehicles, while entire streets in the city were flooded. Also in the north-east, in Botoşani County, firefighters were called to put out a fire after lightning struck a tree. Tens of streets and basements were also flooded in Cluj-Napoca (north-west).

     

    PARALYMPICS Paris is hosting tonight the opening ceremony for the Summer Paralympic Games, which will end on September 8. From Champs-Elysées to the world-famed Place de la Concorde, hundreds of dancers and performers will stage a show called “Paradox”, which according to the organisers is designed to make people think about their uniqueness. Romania is represented by 6 athletes at this year’s Paralympic Games, in 3 events: para judo (Alexandru Bologa and Daniel Vargoczki), para cycling (Eduard Novak and Theodor Matican) şi para table tennis (Camelia Ciripan and Bobi Simion). The first to compete are Camelia Ciripan and Bobi Simion, on Thursday afternoon, in the mixed doubles event, against the Japanese pair Yuri Tomono and Koyo Iwabuchi. (AMP)

  • August 27, 2024 UPDATE

    August 27, 2024 UPDATE

     

    INDEPENDENCE President Maia Sandu on Tuesday conveyed a message congratulating the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on the 33rd anniversary of the proclamation of the country’s independence. ”Moldova is our home and we choose a future of peace and prosperity. We are writing our history. Many Happy Returns, Moldova!” Sandu said, quoted by Moldpres. In Bucharest, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis says that Romania will continue to provide strategic support to Moldova in all areas. ‘I congratulate the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on their Independence Day! You are part of the great European family and carrying on the present efforts will turn the EU accession into an accomplished goal,’ the Romanian head of state posted on X. In Chişinău, the presidents of the 3 Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—signed a joint declaration reiterating their support for Moldova’s EU accession. They attended the ceremonies occasioned by Moldova’s Independence Day, invited by president Maia Sandu, who did not take part in the celebration as she tested positive for coronavirus.

     

    PENSIONS As of October 1st the pension tax threshold in Romania is be raised from EUR 400 at present to EUR 600, the labour minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu announced on Monday night. She said the decision was made after a new round of talks she had with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. So, on October 1st, taxes will account for 10% of the amount exceeding RON 3,000. The minister’s statement comes after the PM announced that he had instructed the finance minister to analyse whether a new tax threshold was needed after the implementation of the new pension regulations. The finance ministry is expected to conduct another review so that pensioners may not incur loses or have food vouchers withdrawn. Pensions below EUR 400 are presently tax exempt, but a 10% tax is levied on pensions exceeding this sum.

     

    UNEMPLOYMENT In Romania, the unemployment rate was 3.09% at the end of July 2024, 0.03% more than in the previous month, the National Employment Agency announced. The number of unemployed people in rural communities is 3 times larger than in cities. Most unemployed people are aged 40 – 49, followed by people over 55 years of age.

     

    DROUGHT Two rivers in Argeş County (southern Romania) have completely dried up. In more than 600 settlements in Romania, water supply is restricted, and in hundreds of villages not connected to centralised networks wells are dried up because of the extensive drought and extreme heat. The Romanian Waters National Agency also says that on 42 of the 120 monitored sections, the Danube water flow is below the minimum level required to meet water needs. Fortunately, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant in the south-east of the country has no problems in terms of water supply.

     

    REAL ESTATE Home prices in Romania have risen by an average 12% this year compared to 2023, according to a recent real estate market survey. The city of Braşov has grown above expectations and is getting closer to Cluj Napoca, which sees the highest home prices in the country. The national average price is EUR 1,611 per square metre. Timişoara (west) remains the most affordable of the big cities, as compared to the salary level. On the other hand, rent has not grown as fast this year as it did in 2023.

     

    TENNIS Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse has qualified for the second round of the US Open, the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, after a two-setter against Julia Grabher of Austria. Ruse will be up next against Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, winner of this year’s Wimbledon tournament. The other Romanians in the singles contest, Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian, have been knocked out in the first round after losing to Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands and 12th-seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia, respectively. (AMP)

  • August 27, 2024

    August 27, 2024

    WEATHER Romanian meteorologists on Tuesday issued a code yellow alert for unstable weather valid until Wednesday morning for half of the Romanian territory. Heavy downpours are expected in the center, in the mountains and some regions in the country’s east and south. Thunder and hailstorms have been forecast in isolated regions whereas the heatwave will remain in southern and western Romania, whose residents are again facing with a higher thermal discomfort index and more muggy days. The highs of the day will be ranging between 27 and 35 degrees with a noon reading in Bucharest of 34.

     

    PENSIONS As of October 1st the taxation ceiling of pensions in Romania is going to grow from 400 Euros at present to 600 Euros, Labour Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu announced on Monday night. She said the decision was made after a new round of talks she had with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. So, on October 1st, taxes will account for 10% of the difference exceeding 3 thousand RON. The minister’s statement comes after the head of the government announced that he had called on the Finance Minister to conduct research and see whether a new taxation ceiling was needed after the implementation of the new legislation. The Finance Ministry is expected to conduct another research so that pensioners may not incur loses or have the food vouchers removed. We recall that pensions under 2 thousand lei are presently exempted from taxation but a 10% tax is levied on pensions exceeding this sum.

     

    INDEPENDENCE President Maia Sandu on Tuesday conveyed a message congratulating the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on the occasion of marking 33 years since the proclamation of the country’s independence. ”Moldova is our home and we choose a future of peace and prosperity. We are writing our history. Many Happy Returns, Moldova!” Sandu says quoted by Moldpres. In Bucharest, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis says that Romania will continue to offer strategic support to Moldova in all areas. ‘I congratulate the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on Independence Day! You are part of the great European family and the continuation of the present efforts will transform the EU accession into an accomplished objective, the Romanian head of state wrote on the X platform. Other high officials in Bucharest have conveyed congratulation messages on this occasion. On August 27 1991, tens of thousands took to the streets of Chisinau and called on Parliament to endorse the country’s independence, which it eventually did.

     

    TENNIS Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse has qualified for the second round of the US Open, the year’s last Grand Slam tournament after a two-setter against Julia Grabher of Austria. Ruse will be up next against Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, this edition’s winner of the Wimbledon tournament. The other Romanian representatives in the singles contest, Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian have been knocked out in the first round after losing to Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands and 12th-seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia, respectively.

    (bill)

     

  • July 24, 2024 UPDATE

    July 24, 2024 UPDATE

    Diplomacy – Romania is a credible, involved and respected regional, European and international actor, a provider of security and stability, said the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, in the opening of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, which takes place in Bucharest. He pleaded for the consolidation of the role and influence in the European Union and NATO and for the deepening of the strategic partnership with the US. About the partnership with the US, Iohannis said that it is an essential pillar of Romania’s foreign policy, that it has become more robust and acquired more substance. Regarding the relationship with the neighboring Republic of Moldova, Romania’s President showed that this represented a strategic priority, and bilateral cooperation reached “the highest level in history”. Also, Iohannis stated, Bucharest also promoted a constructive relationship with the Kyiv administration. Last but not least, the Romanian president stated that the accession to the Schengen Area also with the land borders, as well as the accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development remain priority objectives of the Romanian diplomacy.

     

     

    Odobescu – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminiţa Odobescu, reiterated, on Wednesday, that Romania remains a firm supporter of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine at the European level and emphasized that the two countries must continue the reforms necessary for European integration. She condemned the war waged by Russia in Ukraine and stated that the Republic of Moldova remains the state most affected by this war after Ukraine. ‘I reiterate that Romania firmly and steadfastly supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova within their internationally recognized borders’, Odobescu also said.

     

    Venice Commission – Romania should complete the process initiated in view of taking into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission on the justice laws and of accelerating its efforts to ensure effective public consultations before the adoption of the legislation, the European Commission recommends in the annual report on the rule of law, published on Wednesday. Although some progress has been made in this area, the EC recommends Bucharest to continue its efforts to ensure adequate human resources for the justice system, taking into account European standards. Another recommendation is to take measures to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of crimes in the judicial system, including acts of corruption. The EC recognizes, however, that Romania has made some progress in this regard. The Romanian Justice Minister, Alina Gorghiu, states that the report on the rule of law in Romania is the best so far. The main conclusion of the fifth edition of the Commission’s annual report on the rule of law in member countries is that they and the Union as a whole are much better prepared to detect, prevent and address emerging challenges, which contributes to the resilience of European democracies and supports mutual trust in the EU as well as the smooth functioning of the single market.

     

    Alert – The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations issued, last night, a RO-ALERT message for the north of Tulcea county (south-east), informing the population about the possibility of objects falling from the sky on the territory near the border with Ukraine. The message was issued after the structures with the role of defense and border surveillance noticed several Russian drones, involved in attacks on the Ukrainian infrastructure, which were approaching the Romanian border. The Defense Ministry reported that, currently, its teams are continuing the search for possible remains of drones that have fallen on the national territory. The same source stated that two F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force flew in the area to monitor the situation.

     

    Meeting – The Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel on Wednesday expressed his conviction, in a joint press statement held together with the Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminiţa Odobescu, on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, that Romania’s place is in Schengen and that “controls must stop” at the border. Xavier Bettel mentioned, on the other hand, that he visited the Cincu military base (center), after a similar visit in September, to show the “support and solidarity” of the government towards the young people of Luxembourg. Minister Luminiţa Odobescu said, in turn, that Romania wants more substantial cooperation with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, including in the field of the defense industry. She thanked for the presence of troops from Luxembourg on Romanian territory as part of strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank and the Black Sea. (LS)

  • June 26, 2024

    June 26, 2024

    NATO – The 32 NATO member states have today confirmed the nomination of the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as Secretary General of the Alliance. France Presse wrote that the withdrawal of the Romanian president’s candidacy and the objections of Hungary and Slovakia, secured Rutte a free path to obtaining the position of NATO Secretary General. He will take over his duties on October 1st, when the last extension of the mandate of the incumbent Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, appointed in 2014, expires. Stoltenberg’s mandate was extended four times, in the context of the war in Ukraine.

     

    SUMMIT – The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, will attend the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Support for the neighbouring Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as the new structure of the European Parliament, are on the meeting’s agenda, according to a press release from the Presidential Administration in Bucharest. Also, the leaders of the European Union will continue discussions on the appointments at the top of the EU institutions, following the recent European elections.

     

    FOOTBALL – The Romanian national football side today play against Slovakia in Frankfurt at 7 pm, Bucharest time, their last match in Group E of the European Championship in Germany. The Belgium-Ukraine match is also played in the same group. In the first two matches, the Romanians beat Ukraine 3-0 and lost, 0-2, to Belgium. All four teams in the group have accumulated three points each, and Romania remains the leader due to the goal difference. An equal result would be enough for both Romania and Slovakia to qualify for the round of 16, which fuels media speculation about a fixed match. The coaches and players of the two teams categorically rejected such a hypothesis.

     

    ELECTION – The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) in Romania cancelled the elections for the position of mayor in the Black Sea resort of Costineşti, Constanța county, and ordered that the poll should be held again on July 7th. BEC approved the request to cancel the elections, made by the Constanta branch of the Social Democratic Party. In Costineşti, the Romanian press writes, the counting of the votes cast in the local elections on June 9 was repeated six times. In the end, the Liberal candidate was named the winner for the position of mayor, with a difference of one vote from the Social Democratic candidate. A number of irregularities were mentioned, based on supporting documents, including the fact that two people, including a Ukrainian citizen, voted without having this right.

     

    FLAG DAY- President Klaus Iohannis delivered, on Wednesday, a message on National Flag Day, in which context he emphasized Romania’s NATO, EU and UN membership and evoked the need for unity. The head of state said that the National Flag “represents a unifying element for Romanians, wherever they are. “It is present in moments of hardship or joy, at national and international events, in institutions, at parades or on the occasion of sports competitions”, the president pointed out. Klaus Iohannis recalled the history of this holiday and paid tribute to the Romanian soldiers who died in the theatres of operations. On his part, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu recalled that “under the colors of the National Flag, generations of Romanians fought for independence, sovereignty, unity and democracy, values ​​in which we strongly believe.”

     

    ACCESSION – The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have officially started EU accession negotiations, two years after they received the candidate status. The first talks took place in Luxembourg, were of technical nature and concerned the structure and timing of the negotiations. The two countries will negotiate and be evaluated separately, and the duration of the negotiation process depends on their ability to adopt the necessary reforms to meet the accession criteria. Throughout the entire process, Chisinau and Kyiv must align their national legislation with the EU provisions. According to the Radio Romania correspondent in Brussels, since obtaining the candidate status until now, the two states have made general adjustments in key areas, through which they have demonstrated their will to get closer to the EU legislation.

     

    BUCHAREST – The leaders of the ruling PSD-PNL coalition in Romania did not manage to reach an agreement, on Tuesday evening either, on the date of the presidential elections, as each of the two parties insists on a different calendar. The Social Democrats want the election to take place in September, while the Liberals want presidential elections in November. Discussions within the coalition on this subject will resume on Friday. (EE)

  • June 25, 2024

    June 25, 2024

     

    ELECTION The ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party is to make a decision today on the date of the presidential election. The two parties are considering 2 dates for the first election round, September 15th or 29th. The government has until early July to pass an emergency order on the calendar of the presidential election, if the vote is to be held in September. The Liberals insist however that the election should be organized towards the end of the year, although they had initially agreed with a date in September. They argue that holding the election in September would disrupt the start of the new school year, and the campaign would overlap the holiday season. The Social Democrats, on the other hand, rule out any change in the agreed calendar. The 2 ruling parties must also decide whether to have separate candidates for the presidential post. On June 9th, they had a common candidate list for the European Parliament election, but had separate candidates in the local elections.

     

    FOREIGN AFFAIRS The Romanian foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu took part on Monday in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. On this occasion, Mrs. Odobescu highlighted the importance of stepped-up military support for Ukraine and mentioned the decision of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council to transfer a Patriot system to Ukraine.

     

    FUNDING On Monday Romania received close to EUR 1.1 bln from the European Union for projects in the energy sector, particularly for renewable energy production. According to an EU news release, Romania and 9 other countries received total funding of EUR 3 bln, intended for 39 programmes. The largest amount was given to Romania, followed by the Czech Republic (EUR 835 mln) and Poland (EUR 700 mln).

     

    ACCESSION The ex-Soviet republics of Moldova and Ukraine today begin their official EU accession negotiations. The first talks are to be held in Luxembourg, and during this process Chişinău and Kyiv must align their national legislation to the bloc’s regulations. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, since their recognition as candidate countries, the two states have made general adjustments in key areas, proving their willingness to adapt to the EU legislation. Beginning with these inter-governmental conferences, Ukraine’s and Moldova’s progress in the implementation of relevant reforms will be assessed separately. Analysts believe this could be an advantage for Moldova, which according to the European Commission has made better progress than Ukraine so far.

     

    FORUM The Romanian interior minister Cătălin Predoiu takes part on June 25 – 27 in the Salzburg Forum Ministerial Conference in Laxenburg, Austria. According to the interior ministry, the event focuses on current and future challenges in the field of security and migration, including security and migration challenges for the EU in 2024 – 2029, security along the Danube in the context of digitization, as well as migration and migrant smuggling.

     

    THEATRE The Performing Arts Market opened today in Sibiu (central Romania) as part of the famous Sibiu International Theatre Festival. Currently in its 27th edition, the Performing Arts Market has, this year as well, face-to-face, hybrid and online components. More than 80 officials for cultural organisations and institutions in over 30 countries convene in Sibiu to establish contacts and implement joint projects. The Festival founder and president, Constantin Chiriac, says this is the only performing arts market in Romania and in Eastern and Central Europe.

     

    FOOTBALL In the European Football Championship hosted by Germany, the last matches in Group D and C are scheduled for tonight. In Group D, the Netherlands take on Austria and France play Poland, while in Group C, England plays against Slovenia, and Denmark against Serbia. Romania concludes its Group E matches on Wednesday in Frankfurt, with a game against Slovakia. In the same group, Belgium is scheduled to play against Ukraine. All 4 teams in the group have 3 points each, with Romania still first-placed in the group thanks to a better goal difference. A draw against Slovakia is enough for the team to move up into the eighth-finals. (AMP)

  • June 23, 2024 UPDATE

    June 23, 2024 UPDATE

    PENTECOST Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians in Romania Sunday celebrated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Jesus, a feast day also known as the Pentecost and in Romanian as “Rusalii”. The Pentecost is a symbol of the establishment of the Christian Church, 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ and 10 days after Ascension Day. Believers evoke the moment when the Holy Spirit gave the 12 Apostles the gift of speaking many languages to preach to the crowds, and when the first 3,000 people were baptised, thus establishing the first Christian community.

     

    FOREIGN AFFAIRS The Romanian foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu takes part on Monday in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, focusing on the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the developments in Georgia. The EU foreign ministers will also have an informal exchange of opinions with their counterparts in the Western Balkans, as part of a working luncheon. According to the Romanian foreign ministry, talks on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine will focus on the recent developments on site and the support the EU must provide to Ukraine, particularly in the military area. The participants will also discuss new restrictions against Russia and Belarus, the EU-Ukraine security commitments and will assess the Ukraine Peace Summit held in Switzerland on June 15-16.

     

    MOLDOVA The Republic of Moldova’s Sovereignty Day was marked in Romania’s neighbouring country on Sunday. Since it adopted its Sovereignty Declaration on June 23, 1990, Moldova has struggled with difficulties, but it has remained a peaceful and democratic state, in which the Moldovan nation has been sovereign and has decided the fate of the state, the country’s president Maia Sandu pointed out. She added that the citizens will decide whether to join the EU in a referendum scheduled for this autumn. In her address, Sandu also said that the years of independence have taught Moldova democracy and freedom cannot be taken for granted and must be defended every day.

     

    TIFF The winner of this year’s Transylvania International Film Festival is the Indian film “Girls Will Be Girls”, directed by Shuchi Talati, a drama on the condition of women in a repressive system. Another Indian film, “The Adamant Girl,” by Vinothraj Palani, received the jury’s special award. The Indian director was also awarded at TIFF in 2021, for his debut work, “Pebbles”. Also at the TIFF Gala, the director Sebastián Quebrada won the best director award for “El Otro Hijo.” The best actor award went to the Iranian Hasan Pourshirazi, for his performance in “The Old Bachelor”, while “Dismissed” by Horia Cucută and George ve Ganćaard was voted the best feature in the Romanian Film Days.

     

    EU Next week the European Union starts its accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The EU Council’s Belgian presidency announced the official opening will take place on June 25, and that the 2 countries’ accession roadmaps will be assessed separately. The EU Council brings together the 27 Member States, which have already approved the accession and negotiation frameworks for the 2 candidate states. Chişinău and Kyiv submitted their candidacies shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

     

    FOOTBALL Romania lost 2-0 to Belgium, on Saturday night in Cologne, but remains top placed in the most evenly balanced group at the European Football Championship. Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine all have 3 points each ahead of the last round in Group E, with better goal differences for Romania and Belgium. Romania’s decisive match for qualification in the eighth-finals is scheduled on Wednesday against Slovakia, in Frankfurt. Moving up into the next stages of the competition are the top 2 teams in each group and the best 4 third-ranking teams in each group. (AMP)

  • American support for the Republic of Moldova

    American support for the Republic of Moldova

    All military experts and political analysts say about the Republic of Moldova that it is Ukraine’s neighbor most seriously affected by the Russian invasion there. In solidarity with the authorities in Kyiv, which are trying to resist the invaders, Chisinau, currently hosting many Ukrainian refugees, has become, in turn, a target for Russia.

    On Wednesday, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, reaffirmed, in Chisinau, the United States’ support for the Republic of Moldova and for its aspirations to get closer to the West. He saluted the work of the country’s president, Maia Sandu, who has resolutely charted a firm pro-European course.

    Blinken promised that his country would support a resilient democracy in the face of Russia’s destabilization attempts. Moreover, he announced a 50 million-dollar aid for the defense of democracy in the face of Russian threats, and investments of 85 million dollars for the consolidation of the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova.

    According to the Radio Romania correspondents in Chisinau, the head of Washington diplomacy specified that these funds are intended to reduce the dependence of the Republic of Moldova on Russian energy resources and will contribute to increasing the resilience of state institutions.

    The Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure have exacerbated the difficulties the Republic of Moldova is facing in the energy sector, and led to the increase in energy prices, making businesses and ordinary consumers vulnerable, said Antony Blinken, who paid his second
    visit to Chisinau since the Russians invaded Ukraine, on February 24, 2022.

    The visit of the Secretary of State reconfirms the excellent relations between the United States and the Republic of Moldova and is a strong sign of support, said in turn President Maia Sandu. The message of support conveyed on behalf of Washington comes, commentators recall, after the one received, also this month, from Brussels. The Republic of Moldova has recently signed a security and defense pact with the European Union. Thanks to it, the signatories say, the collaboration between Chisinau and Brussels will be much closer and will offer the republic more tools to strengthen its security on multiple levels, including in the military field.

    The Radio Romania correspondent in Brussels notes that, from now on, the Republic of Moldova can participate in missions under the European security and defense policy and will receive help to strengthen its military capabilities. Also, its soldiers will be integrated into the EU rapid deployment corps and will participate in joint exercises and training. (MI)

  • May 24, 2024

    May 24, 2024

     

    SALARIES Gross minimum wages will be raised to roughly EUR 740 as of July 1, and the facility granted to employers, under which EUR 40 of employees’ salaries are tax free will stay in place until the end of the year, the Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu announced on Thursday, after a meeting of the three-party council comprising government, employers’ union and trade union officials. On the other hand, the government has increased the financial assistance for people with disabilities. As of July 1, the allowance for an adult with disabilities will be EUR 105, and the one for a child with severe disabilities will be EUR 92. According to official data, some 390,000 people will benefit from the increase. The government has also approved state aid for the national airline, Tarom, which the transport minister Sorin Grindeanu says is a major step for saving the company.

     

    JUDICIARY The former chief of operations for the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), Florian Coldea, was placed by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate under court supervision on bail. The same measure has been ordered with respect to ret. gen. Dumitru Dumbravă, the former head of the Service’s judicial service, and to the lawyer Doru Trăilă. The 3 are charged with influence peddling and money laundering, and are probed into following a complaint filed by the businessman Cătălin Hideg, who was sentenced to 4 years in prison in a European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into frauds involving EU funds. The businessman claims that Coldea and Dumbravă had asked him to pay EUR 600,000 using the lawyer Doru Trăilă as an go-between, in exchange for a suspended sentence in court.

     

    FESTIVAL Events devoted to the Days of Romanians Abroad begin in Bucharest today. The festival, organized every year on the last Sunday in May, has reached its 7th year. More than 500 Romanians in the diaspora and in communities in 34 countries are expected to attend. The celebrations bring together Romanian artists from the country and from abroad, as well as members of the business and academic communities of Romanians living abroad.

     

    MOLDOVA Romania continues to provide assistance to the Republic of Moldova in areas like electricity, the reconstruction of schools and university campuses and equipment for public order institutions. Under an order passed in Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Romania will contribute over EUR 2 mln to the reconstruction of a student dorm in Cahul, in the south of Moldova. The decision is based on an agreement signed by the 2 governments in February 2022, concerning non-reimbursable financial aid of EUR 100 mln.

     

    VISIT Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown, and his Royal Highness Prince Radu, Thursday visited the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in Luxembourg and met with Romanians working in that institution. On this occasion, Her Majesty Margareta mentioned that the visit to Luxembourg was intended to help support the Republic of Moldova in its EU accession efforts, while Prince Radu pointed out that the Romanian nation has embraced the values of the Western world. Prince Radu also voiced his satisfaction that the huge effort that Moldova is making “with such scarce means and such great vulnerability, but at the same time with so much dignity,” is acknowledged everywhere. Also on Thursday, the royal couple were received by his Royal Highness Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg for a private luncheon at the Grand Ducal Palace.

     

    TENNIS The Romanian tennis players Sorana Cîrstea, Ana Bogdan, Jaqueline Cristian and Irina Begu Thursday night found out their opponents in the first round of the Roland Garros tournament, the second Grand Slam of the year. Sorana Cîrstea, seeded 28, will take on Ana Blinkova (Russia), whom she defeated in 2020 in Dubai. Ana Bogdan plays against Elsa Jacquemot (France) in their first encounter in professional competitions. Jaqueline Cristian has a tough match ahead, against no. 10 in the world Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia). Jaqueline Cristian won her only match so far against the 2016 Roland Garros winner, in the round of 16 of the Sankt Petersburg tournament in 2021. Irina Begu will be facing a winner of the French Open’s qualifying matches. Two other Romanian players have a chance to win a main draw place: Gabriela Ruse and Cristina Dinu are playing in the last round of the qualifying series against Sara Errani (Italy) and Laura Pigossi (Brazil), respectively. (AMP)

  • Security Pact between the Republic of Moldova and the EU

    Security Pact between the Republic of Moldova and the EU

    All military experts and political analysts say about the Republic of Moldova that it is Ukraine’s neighbor most seriously affected by the Russian invasion. In solidarity with the authorities in Kyiv, which are trying to resist the invaders, and host to many Ukrainian refugees, Chişinău has become, in turn, a target for the Russians. All the elements of a hybrid war, such as false bomb alerts, cyber-attacks, illegally financed protests, energy blackmail, are the challenges that the Internal Affairs system must face, the former minister of internal affairs in the pro-Western government, Ana Revenco told Radio Chișinău. Pro-war propaganda, she added, incitement to hatred, disinformation, parts of the same hybrid war, are meant to weaken the resilience of citizens. ‘There are already certainties that Russia is now using more and much more intensively the levers by which it tries to destabilize the situation in the Republic of Moldova, not without the support of the fugitive oligarchs’ the former minister Revenco said.

     

    Against this distressing background, the Republic of Moldova signed, on Tuesday, a security and defense pact with the European Union. Thanks to it, the signatories say, the collaboration between Chişinău and Brussels will be much closer and will offer the republic more tools to strengthen its security on multiple levels, including in the military field. The correspondent of Radio Romania in Brussels reports that, from now on, the Republic of Moldova can participate in the missions subordinated to the European policy for security and defense and will receive help to strengthen its military capabilities. Also, its soldiers will be integrated into the European rapid military deployment corps and will participate in joint exercises and training.

     

    Another way of collaboration between the EU and Moldova is the so-called European Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, through which the member states can acquire and deliver military equipment. The cooperation between the two sides is also extended to the fields of hybrid attacks, disinformation and securing critical infrastructure and borders. Practically, commentators say, everything related to the security of the Republic of Moldova is now the object of the collaboration provided for in the pact. With the status of neutrality stipulated, three decades ago, in a constitution that many consider outdated, Chișinău has one of the least numerous and poorly equipped armies in Europe. But the Defense Minister, Anatolie Nosatîi, a career military, with training courses in the United States, promises to strengthen the army, in the context of the hybrid war waged by Russia. In an interview to the media from Bucharest, Nosatîi also spoke about cooperation in the military field with the European Union, NATO and neighboring Romania and insisted that the North Atlantic Alliance “is not the scarecrow that the Russian propaganda is talking about.”(LS)