Radio România Internațional

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  • Negotiations for EU enlargement

    Negotiations for EU enlargement


    On Wednesday the European Commission recommended the launch of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the granting of candidate status to Georgia, once the latter meets certain conditions.



    The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said this enlargement of the bloc was “the call of history.” “Completing our Union also has a strong economic and geopolitical logic. Past enlargements have shown the enormous benefits both for the accession countries and the EU. We all win,” Ursula von der Leyen pointed out.



    In turn, the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola voiced her satisfaction with these countries being on the right path towards opening accession negotiations. The Commissions recommendation must next be approved by the 27 members at the EU Summit of December 14-15.



    In the meantime, the countries will have to implement some key measures in this respect. As far as Chișinău is concerned, these conditions concern fighting corruption and improving financial regulations. Moldova has made the best progress of the countries that wish to join the European Union, the Commission says, but out of the 9 steps towards launching accession negotiations, the justice reform, fight against corruption and de-oligarchisation still remain unfulfilled. The Commission mentions the length of judicial proceedings, low clearance rates and the large backlog of cases. Also, there has been no significant progress in the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases.



    This is why the Commission urged Chișinău to ensure a transparent and merit-based process for appointments to the main judicial and prosecutorial governance bodies, including for the appointment of a Prosecutor General, and ensure that anti-corruption institutions are functioning within a clear organisational structure and with adequate resources.



    The president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, hailed the Commissions decision to open accession negotiations. “Moldova is firmly on the path for EU membership and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal,ˮ Maia Sandu said.



    As for Ukraine, the Commission recommends that negotiations be opened once Kyiv meets the remaining conditions concerning the fight against corruption, the regulation of lobby activities and strengthening minority protection standards. The recommendation is a major milestone on Kyivs path towards European integration, and a strategic move for the European bloc, given that Ukraine has been struggling with Russias military invasion since February 2022. The European Commission finds that the country has proved to be capable of progress in harmonising its laws with the EU legislation, even in times of war. (AMP)


  • Draft education laws pending approval

    Draft education laws pending approval

    Submitted for public
    review a few days ago, the new legislative package on education includes the
    under-graduate education bill and the higher education bill, both officially
    endorsed by the government. The main declared goals are to improve the quality
    of public education and reduce functional illiteracy.




    The under-graduate
    education bill provides for compulsory nation-wide evaluations in language and
    communication and in maths and science at the end of the second, fourth and
    sixth grade. High schools will be able to organise admission tests for maximum
    60% of the number of places available, after students have graduated the
    compulsory national evaluation.




    As for the high school
    graduation exam, for humanities students it will include a written test in maths,
    physics, chemistry or biology, while science students will also have to prove
    that they have acquired basic skills in psychology, sociology, logics, economics
    or philosophy.




    The higher education bill
    increases the Ph.D. studies period from three to four years, with post-grad students
    allowed to conduct paid teaching activities.




    The line minister, Ligia
    Deca, told Radio Romania about the most important changes:

    Ligia Deca: In principle, there are reforms aimed at improving the
    quality of public education and at reducing functional illiteracy. This
    includes increasing the performance of teaching staff and improving the outlook
    on and support for the teaching career, with a substantial increase of salaries
    and more respect for teachers in society. Basically, the entire salary scheme
    in public education will start from the average national wage level, so any
    entry-level teacher will have this perspective of a decent salary. We will also
    improve the quality of teachers’ training, by introducing a teaching MA
    programme, 80% of which will consist of practical activities under the guidance
    of a mentor, at various education levels and in various environments, so that
    we may have entry-level teachers who are well trained and prepared for the
    challenges they will be facing in the classroom. There will be an entire series
    of national programmes, one of which will seek to reduce drop-out rates, by
    means of providing school supplies, covering commuting costs, healthy meals for
    over one million children. Support will also be given in the form of remedial
    classes, in order to cover the schooling gaps that unfortunately the pandemic
    years left among our children.




    As Ligia Deca also said, a
    national programme to reduce functional illiteracy will also be in place. By
    means of the educational portfolio and annual testing, this programme seeks to
    ensure that children no longer leave school with inadequate literacy skill
    levels at the PISA test taken at the age of 15. (AMP)

  • Romania’s Tourism Fair and its offers

    Romania’s Tourism Fair and its offers


    The 47th edition of Romanias Tourism Fair was held over February 23rd and 26th in Romanias capital city Bucharest. Romanias most interesting tourism offers and assets were presented as part of the event. Traditional craftsmen were there, obviously, they provided live demonstrations of the ancient crafts. In this weeks instalment in our regular Travelers Guide series you will find out something about the most interesting holiday destination for the coming period.



    A PR specialist with Timis Countys Tourism Promotion and Development Association, Bianca Vințan told us Timișoara was prepared to become a true capital of European Culture. Besides, Timis Countys tourism offer for 2033 was very generous.



    Bianca Vintan:



    “We invite tourists to discover the Win Road. The road comprises five small wine cellars in the Silagiu area, as well as visits to the regions local producers. Tourists can find accommodation nearby the wine cellars; they can taste the local produce or can bathe in Buzias resorts healing waters. Apart from that, lovers of nature and of the outdoor experience are invited to roll along 15 cyclo- tourism paths in Timis County. Ther also is another option, that of trekking in the Padeas area, Fardea, the Surduc lake. Loads of things for them to discover in our county. “



    Niculai Barbă is vice-president of Suceava County Council, as well as a coordinator of the National Tourism Promotion and Information Centre. Present at Bukovinas stand, Niculai Barba outlined, for all those interested, the most interesting tourism programs.



    “This year, we also have special events as part of the “Ciprian Porumbescu Year ” program. Therefore, we have developed events tourism in great numbers, in 2023. Then we present the period for which we are extremely sought-after, the Easter holiday. Booking for Easter and Christmas in Bukovina is made one year in advance. In no short supply are traditional cuisine, customs and traditions offers, traditional craftsmen, traditional music. At this edition of the fair we have come with performers of the “Ciprian Porumbescu” Ensemble, in a bid to put to good use the Romanian composers work. “



    Luminița Niculiță is one of the traditional craftsmen whose work was presented at Bukovinas stand. She came all the way from the museum-commune of Ciocănești and is surrounded by traditional handicraft items.



    “At the tourism fair we have brought a fine collection of painted eggs, typical for the region of Bukovina, especially for the museum-commune of Ciocanesti, where I hail from. Its not only the painted eggs we can brag about, we can also boast the beautiful houses with their painted façades, something unique the world over. Thanks to the painted eggs, the painted houses, of the traditions that have been preserved, our commune was declared an outdoor museum-commune. I have taken up the craft of painting eggs ever since I was four, guided by my mother, by grandparents, by aunties. I started with the simplest patterns, while now, as I am 20, I can say I already have a rich experience. Egg-painting workshops can also be staged, but we need to be announced well in advance so that we can prepare the required materials. We have tourist from all continents and from all European countries. Everybody was astonished we did not enjoy Switzerlands fame, landscape-wise. Were waiting for everybody to come over so they can see that for themselves. “



    Ramona Niță is the director of Breazas National Tourism Information and Promotion Centre. She came with special Easter and Whitsuntide offers, but also with offers off the market price, valid throughout the year.



    “For instance, we have a four-star guesthouse with an Easter package offer is made of a three-night accommodation stay with half-board and the festive Easter dinner. The double-room fee per person is 1,200 lei (243 Euros). Apart from accommodation and dinners, there also are activities such as a camp fire or dances. They have a very beautiful courtyard, with gazebos. There are also offers for the summer period. They include weekdays, and you pay four nights for the price of three, of five for the price of four. We have standard fees for the weekends, as the demand for that is very high. “



    Judith Grapă is a documentarist with the Faragas Country Museum. She presented the reasons why the Fagaras Citadel should not be excluded by tourists for their holiday options in 2023.



    “It is the only citadel of Romanias princesses. Transylvanias princes, in the 16th and the 17th centuries, offered this citadel to their wives as a wedding gift. Their ladyships, the princesses, were the ones who administered it, alongside the included estate known as the Fagaras Country. Secondly, it is one of the worlds most beautiful fortresses, which has been awarded a diploma of excellence. Thirdly, it is a very well-preserved citadel. The citadel has been partially restored and looks really fine. The first floor is open for visitors, there we have 26 rooms, the Fagaras Country Museum can also be found there. On the second floor, we have for more rooms set in the style of the 18th century. We invited you to come over mainly during the days of the Medfest, a medieval festival, a festival of the citadel days, held in the last week of August.”



    From Transylvania we travel all the way down to the Romanian Black Sea Coast. Alina Monica Rapotan is the property manager of a guesthouse in the resort of Jupiter.



    “Ours is an offer accounting for 10% off the market price. During the season, the accommodation fee for two adults and a child younger than 5 can reach 220 lei (44 euros). In June, for two adults, we can offer a fee of 140 Lei (28 Euro). We have our own kitchen and playgrounds for children, indoors and outdoors. Were in the middle of a forest. The air is fresh and were that close to the beach. “



    An executive director with Arad County Council, Dr. Andrei Ando, went to the tourism fair with an offer for three distinct regions in Arad County.



    “First off, Arad municipal city, where we promote historical and cultural tourism. Secondly, the Mures River Valley, a historical region in Arad municipal city. Here we lay emphasis on the Savirsin castle, on the traditions acknowledged by UNESCO. Then we promote the Miniș-Măderat vineyard, one of central Europes historic vineyards. There we have two sorts of wine: Cadarcă, a red sort of wine and Mustoasă of Măderat, a sort of white wine. Concurrently, at this edition of the fair, we wanted to promote Arad municipal city as a city-break destination. We have so far discussed with 22 tourism agencies so that Arad could be included in their autumn offer. We have 70 refurbished palaces in Arad city center, Romanias largest urban city center area, we have the longest string of Secession-style buildings.”



    Also available at the tourism fair were adventure or balneal tourism offer. Also the UNESCO Buzau Land geopark and the Mountainous Banat had very lively stands, teeming with ideas for a successful holiday. In Travelers Guides following editions, we shall have more on each of these destinations, so we can understand their unique selling points, capable of helping you to have a holiday to remember, in Romania. (EN)




  • September 9, 2022 UPDATE

    September 9, 2022 UPDATE

    QUEEN The death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in
    English history, brought her eldest son Charles to the throne. He will reign
    as King Charles III. The protocol for proclaiming a new monarch provides for
    the speedy convening of an Accession Council made up of high-ranking
    politicians, bishops of the Anglican Church, together with secular
    representatives of the Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, aged 96,
    at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She is to be brought to London, at Westminster
    Hall, and the public will have a few days to say goodbye. The funerals will
    take place at Westminster Abbey, the church where British kings are crowned.
    The BBC notes that the last funeral of a monarch at Westminster Abbey took
    place in the 18th century. After the funeral, to be attended by heads of state
    and government from around the world, the Queen will be taken to Windsor Castle
    and buried in the Saint George Chapel within its premises. The president of Romania, Klaus
    Iohannis, sent a condolence message to King Charles III. He will be officially
    proclaimed king in a ceremony to be held on Saturday, Buckingham Palace announced.


    DEFICIT Romania’s trade balance deficit in the first 7 months of this year
    increased by almost EUR 5.9 billion, to EUR 18.77 billion, as exports rose by
    23.9% and imports increased by 29%, according to data provided by the National Statistics
    Institute, made public on Friday. Between January and July 2022, exports totalled
    EUR 52.67 billion, and imports EUR 71.44 billion. On the other hand, net
    investments in the national economy totalled EUR 11 billion in the first 6
    months of this year, down 0.8% compared to the similar period in 2021, NSI data
    show.


    ENERGY The Romanian Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, attended a special
    meeting of the EU Energy Council in Brussels on Friday, in the context of
    EU-wide discussions over the rise in energy prices. At the meeting, Romania
    supported measures such as capping Russian natural gas prices, a platform for
    the joint purchase of natural gas by the EU, and access to credit lines for
    companies with the European Central Bank, the Energy Ministry said. Romania
    also emphasised the importance of activating the EU Energy Platform for the
    joint procurement of natural gas, so as to ensure fair distribution of the
    additional gas and LNG procured by the Union. While in Brussels, Virgil Popescu
    had a bilateral meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart. Hristov Rossen. The two
    discussed the importance of regional cooperation for the joint purchase of
    natural gas, as well as for ensuring increased energy stability in the region.
    In another move, in Bucharest, energy operators have called on the Government
    to reconsider the order issued last week, which provides for capping and
    compensation of gas and electricity bills, as well as for over taxation of
    companies in the field. The Association of Energy Suppliers warns that the
    document was developed without consulting the participants in the field, thus
    jeopardizing the security of gas and electricity supply to consumers.


    COHESION The Romanian Government has adopted measures concerning one-third
    of the cohesion fund, amounting to EUR 16 billion, the Minister for Investment
    and European Projects, Marcel Bolos, has announced. He has explained that the
    money can be used to access and develop investment projects in transport
    infrastructure, health, water supply and waste management. Under the cohesion
    policy, Romania has a EUR 43 billion budget until December 31st, 2029, the
    minister has stated. The projects mainly focus on the building of 600 km of motorway
    and 3 regional emergency hospitals, in Craiova, Iasi and Cluj-Napoca.


    AID The European Commission has approved a EUR 4 bln aid scheme for
    Romania, in order to support businesses in all sectors in the context of the
    invasion of Ukraine by Russia. According to the EC, Romania’s aid scheme is
    necessary, adequate and proportionate to remedy a serious disruption to a
    member state’s economy, in accordance with EU state aid rules. Under this
    measure, the aid will take the form of guarantees for loans, with a maximum
    budget of EUR 3.6 billion, with the balance to be provided in direct grants.
    Support under the scheme will be granted until 31 December 2022 at the latest.


    TENNIS The Romanian tennis players Sorana Cîrstea and Irina Begu, ranking
    37 and 42 in the world, respectively, take part in the first edition of Ţiriac
    Foundation Trophy, held between the 10th and 18th
    September in Bucharest. The 2 players received wild cards from the organisers,
    and their current world rankings makes them seed no 1 and 2 in the tournament
    hosted by the Romanian capital city. Ţiriac Foundation Trophy is a WTA 125 tournament
    organised by the Romanian Tennis Federation and supported by the Ţiriac
    Foundation and the Sports Ministry. The main draw includes 32 players, and the
    doubles competition involves another 16. They compete for USD 115,000 in total
    prize money and 160 points in the WTA ranking. (AMP)

  • June 23, 2022 UPDATE

    June 23, 2022 UPDATE

    FUEL
    PRICES The ruling coalition has
    reached an agreement regarding an offset mechanism for retail fuel prices.
    After Thursday’s government meeting, PM Nicolae Ciuca announced that for the next
    3 months, starting on the 1st of July, retail fuel prices will be 0.5 leu per
    litre lower. Half of the offset package, which amounts to EUR 400 million, will
    be covered from the state budget, and the balance by companies operating in
    this sector. The mechanism will be regulated under a bill to be passed by the
    government next week.


    CORRUPTION The Romanian agriculture minister Adrian Chesnoiu announced
    stepping down and withdrawing from the Social Democratic Party over a
    corruption investigation. He asked the Chamber of Deputies to lift his
    parliamentary immunity and claimed he had not committed any offence or act of
    corruption. The National Anti-Corruption Directorate had previously requested
    the Chamber of Deputies to lift Chesnoiu’s immunity, in order for him to be
    prosecuted for abuse of office. Judicial sources told AGERPRES news agency on
    Thursday that the investigation concerns the rigging of exams for filling
    public positions.


    BULGARIA In Bulgaria, the Liberal PM Kiril Petkov’s
    cabinet was dismissed through a no-confidence vote, which pushes the country
    into a new political crisis, after 3 rounds of elections held last year, AFP
    and Reuters report. The coalition, formed in December after controversial
    Boiko Borisov’s 10 years in power, broke up in early June over disagreements
    concerning public spending and the country’s stand on North Macedonia’s EU
    accession negotiations. President Rumen Radev will invite parliamentary parties
    to negotiations for forming a new government. If they fail, Bulgaria’s
    Parliament will be dismantled and new elections will be held.

    MOLDOVA The
    state of emergency introduced in the Republic of Moldova on 24th
    February, following Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, was extended on Thursday by
    another 45 days. The request was tabled to Parliament by PM Natalia Gavriliţa, with
    a majority of 59 MPs voting in favour. The Opposition was against the measure,
    accusing the government of incompetence, Radio Chişinău reports. According to
    Moldova’s PM, the state of emergency had to be extended given the persistent
    risks related to Moldova’s energy supplies, border security and the Ukrainian
    refugee crisis.


    MEDAL The Romanian David Popovici, 17, is the second swimmer in history
    to have become world champion in the 200m and 100m freestyle events of the same
    edition of a championship. The athlete has broken three world junior records in
    the World Aquatics Championships underway in Budapest. Romania has another
    representative in the competition, Robert Glinta, who will compete on Friday in
    the 50 meter backstroke race. Glinta ended the 100m race on the eighth
    position. Another two Romanian athletes, Angelica Muscalu and Constantin
    Popovici, will be competing in the dive event of the competition. (AMP)

  • European agreement to manage the crisis

    European agreement to manage the crisis


    At the end of difficult negotiations, the EU finance ministers reached a deal on an over 500-billion euro rescue package for the member states severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.



    The European Stability Mechanism will make 240 billion euro available in an emergency credit line to provide cash to member states. The European Investment Bank provides 200 billion euro worth of loans for small and medium-sized enterprises. And a further 100 billion euro will be made available by the European Commission to help companies retain workers, so that exporters can rebound once the pandemic passes.



    The Eurogroup president, Mário Centeno, has announced the deal, which was the outcome of lengthy negotiations. This response contains bold and ambitious proposals that would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago. We can all remember the response to the financial crisis of the last decade when Europe did too little, too late. This time around, it is different, Centeno said.



    The French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, described the deal as the most important economic plan in the EU’s history.



    At the end of extensive talks, the 27 finance ministers have reached a consensus over strong responses to this unprecedented crisis, which is bringing many economies to their knees, the German finance minister Olaf Scholz said in his turn. He mentioned among these responses the strong support to the corporate sector, the very clear support to employees, allowing for the funding of partial unemployment, and support for the countries that need it through the European Stability Mechanism.



    The deal reached in Brussels is “a good message for the EU citizens, who will know that the states work together and the Union is effective, the German official also said.



    In the online negotiations, northern European countries were on one side, and the south of the continent, the most badly hit and the most fragile in economic terms, on the opposite side. Italy and Spain asked for funds to spend as they see fit, but the Netherlands insisted on strict conditions.



    A compromise was eventually reached, and any government borrowing money under this agreement is bound to use it strictly for COVID-19 prevention. The EU finance ministers rejected the idea, put forth by France and Italy, to share the costs of the crisis by issuing EU-underwritten “corona-bonds.



    Previous talks had failed, with the EU leaders mainly divided over the conditions under which Eurozone member states may have access to low cost loans from the European support fund.



    Both the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Italian PM Giuseppe Conte emphasised at that point the importance of a united response from the EU.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • March 24, 2019

    March 24, 2019

    VISIT The PM of Romania, Viorica Dăncilă, is in the USA until Tuesday, to take part in the conference of the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), at the invitation of the AIPAC president Morton Fridman, and executive director Howard Kohr. On Saturday, the PM met in Washington with representatives of American companies having invested in Romania. According to a government press release, Dancila presented the measures taken by her Cabinet to enhance the attractiveness of the Romanian business environment. The American investors appreciated the opportunities offered by Bucharest for the development of the strategic defence industry and for investments in healthcare, energy, research and innovation, IT and communications. The participants also discussed the recent changes in the public private partnership legislation, emphasising that it includes broader contractual terms and allows for more flexible financing, enabling parties to share the risks and benefits.




    MEETING EU transport ministers and state secretaries are taking part on March 26th and 27th in the informal meeting of EU transport ministers held in Bucharest under the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. They will discuss, among other things, the future of mobility in the Union and means to strengthen connectivity and cohesion by means of the TEN-T network. According to the organisers, an enlarged and consolidated trans-European transport network will help improve territorial cohesion, the accessibility and connectivity of all regions in the EU, thus stimulating investments and narrowing development gaps.




    TRANSPORT The Romanian Transport Operator Federation (FORT) announces in a news release that on Wednesday, March 27th they will protest in Strasbourg against the EU Mobility Package 1, alongside other employer associations from Romania and Eastern European countries. The Federation is against the obligation for drivers to return home at least every 4 weeks or, if a driver chooses the reduced weekly rest option, every 3 weeks on the road. FORT also demands a review of regular weekly rest rules and is also against applying the rules of posting to road transport.




    PROTESTS The weekly “yellow vest protest in France took place on Saturday under strict police control, following the incidents of March 16th in Paris, which had prompted President Emmanuel Macrons criticism of the police force. According to Radio Romanias correspondent in Paris, protesters access to certain parts of the city was prohibited, and the police checked thousands of people to identify individuals intent on resorting to violence. Across the country, many individuals were detained while trying to reach Paris equipped with baseball bats, projectiles, gas masks. Significant clashes between the protesters and the police were also reported in Lyon, Lille and Montpellier, but order has been restored. The so-called “yellow vest movement emerged in November as a protest against a rise in fuel prices.




    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, no 3 in the world, is playing today against Slovenian Polona Hercog, in the 3rd round of the Miami tournament, which has over 9 million US dollars in total prize money. In the doubles, Simona Halep and Julia Goerges (Germany) qualified on Saturday in the 8th-finals. Another Romanian, Raluca Olaru, playing together with Croatian Darija Jurak, is also playing in the 8th-finals of the doubles tournament, against Lara Arruabarrena of Spain / Heather Watson (UK). Also today, Monica Niculescu of Romania and Abigail Spears of the USA, defeated Anna-Lena Groenefeld (Germany) / Lucie Hradecka (the Czeck Republic), 2-0, 6-3, 7-5. On Saturday, Monica Niculescu (138 WTA) lost to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark (13 WTA) 6-4, 7-6 (4), in the 3rd round of the Miami tournament.




    FOOTBALL Romanias national football team was defeated on Saturday night, 2-1, in Sweden, in a EURO 2020 qualifier match held at the Friends Arena in Solna. On Tuesday, Romania is playing at home against Faroe. The top 2 teams in each group qualify into the final tournament. The drawing for the Euro 2020 takes place in Bucharest on November 30. The Romanian capital city will also host 4 final tournament games, 3 in the group stage and an 8th-final. Meanwhile, Romanias Under-21 team Thursday lost a friendly against Spain, and are scheduled to play on Monday against Denmark. In the 2019 European Youth Championship hosted by Italy and San Marino, Romania plays in Group C, alongside England, France and Croatia.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)