Radio România Internațional

Tag: Romanian Foreign Ministry

October 21, 2024 UPDATE

MOLDOVA – The fate of the Republic of Moldova is only for its citizens to decide, Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, wrote on X on Monday, hailing the result of the referendum on Moldova’s EU integration. A little more than half of total participants in the referendum, 50.46%, answered yes to the question “Do you support the review of the Constitution with a view to the Republic of Moldova joining the European Union?” At the same time, the incumbent president of Moldova, pro-European Maia Sandu, who is seeking a new term in office with support from the ruling Action and Solidarity Party, grabbed some 42.45% of the vote, while her main contender, Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the Party of Socialists, grabbed over 25.98%. The two will face each other in the second round of the presidential election slated for November 3. Facing Russia’s hybrid tactics, Moldova has shown it is independent, strong and wants a European future, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said. In turn, the European Parliament president, Roberta Metsola, congratulated Maia Sandu for her leadership and courage that shaped the course of history. In turn, the White House spokesperson on national security, John Kirby, said the results in Moldova show that the country’s democracy remains strong, despite Russia’s attempts at undermining it.

REACTION – The Romanian Foreign Ministry on Monday hailed the manner Moldovan authorities organized Sunday’s ballot and referendum, in line with the highest democratic standards. At the same time, the Ministry expressed concern with the massive, systematic and concerted interference from the Russian Federation, signaled even before the ballot. The scope, complexity and toxicity of this interference was unprecedented, to the extent it sought to compromise the election, undermine democracy, promote anti-democratic and anti-European narratives and sway voters through illegal means. Moldova’s international partners must continue their support for this country to combat external actions designed to undermine key democratic process, such as the right to vote. Romania will continue to invest efforts and expertise to support Moldova’s European integration ambitions and consolidate its resilience against Russia’s ingressions, the Romanian MFA also states.

REFERENDUM – The General Council of the City of Bucharest on Monday has voted in favor of holding a local referendum on the same day as the first round of the presidential election, on November 24, with 47 votes in favor and 2 against. Bucharest dwellers will be asked to answer three questions. The first two were proposed by Mayor General Nicuşor Dan and are related to the way in which state funds are divided between the Bucharest City Hall and the city districts and to the issuing of building permits in Bucharest, while the third, proposed by the Social Democratic Party, refers to combating drug use in schools. The three questions are: “Should the General Council of Bucharest decide on the distribution of revenues and local taxes between the Bucharest City Hall and city districts?”; “Should the Mayor General issue building permits for the entire capital city?” and “Do you agree that the Bucharest City Hall finance and implement a health education and drug use prevention programme in all schools in Bucharest?”

INVESTIGATIONS – The Senate’s legal committee on Monday greenlit the prosecutors’ request to lift the immunity and search the digital records of Liberal Senator Eugen Pîrvulescu. Last week the Justice Ministry addressed a request to the Senate Speaker to lift Pîrvulescu’s immunity, which will now be subject to a secret vote in the Senate plenary sitting. Eugen Pîrvulescu is being prosecuted in an investigation where he stands accused of abettment of influence peddling. Last week the Chamber of Deputies voted to lift the immunity of former Health Minister Nelu Tătaru from the Liberal Party, who is accused of bribe taking.

FESTIVALS – The Astra International Documentary Film Festival has kicked off in Sibiu. Over 100 documentary films are being screened in this year’s edition, which is held this week in various venues across the city, cinemas, performance halls and a special place called New Cinema Dome in the city’s main square. In the meantime, Bucharest is playing host to the National Theatre Festival, which will come to an end on October 28. (CM&VP)

21 October 2024
August 5, 2024

LEGISLATION – The Government is this week expected to amend the legislation on sexual abuse, which currently disallows anonymous complaints. Authorities will adopt measures to protect the victims, regardless of the aggressor’s identity. The measures come in response to several reports of sexual harassment in universities. Education Minister Ligia Deca explained the police will quickly register reports of sexual abuse, and the new measures will apply to the entire public sector, including regulations regarding internal inquiries. We recall that, in the last week, a number of former female students presented allegations of sexual harassment against three university professors. The Police have launched a number of investigations. Professor Alfred Bulai of the National School of Political Science and Public Administration (SNSPA) was sacked from the position of chair of the Sociology Department, while Dorin Ștefan Adam from the University of Architecture in Bucharest and Marius Pieleanu of SNSPA have resigned.

MIDDLE EAST – The situation remains tense in the Middle East amidst fears regarding a possible attack on Israel from Iran and its associated militias, in particular Hezbollah. Teheran and its allies might thus retaliate after the killing of Hamas leader, Ismail Hanniah, and of Hezbollah’s military commander, Fuad Shukr. To prevent the situation from escalating, the United States is building up its armed forces in the region, while president Joe Biden today has called a security meeting to assess the developments. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has reiterated US support for Israel’s security and “right to defend itself against threats from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups”. In turn, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday had talks with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, underlining “the importance that all parties should take “steps to calm regional tensions, avoid further escalation and advance stability”. Military experts have warned that Iran and its forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen might also attack US military bases in the Middle East, in addition to objectives on Israel’s territory.

WARNING – The Romanian Foreign Ministry advises Romanian citizens to immediately leave Lebanon while flights are still available amidst the growing risk of a security escalation in the Middle East. Romanians might find it impossible to leave as the security climate is rapidly deteriorating, impacting commercial flights and transport routes. The Ministry also advises Romanian citizens in Lebanon to register with the Romanian Embassy in Beirut.

US ELECTION – Vice-president Kamala Harris has cut into Donald Trump’s lead in the US presidential race. According to a poll published on Sunday, the two candidates are now tied in what now looks like a very close race for the White House. 50% of voters would now vote for Harris, compared to 49% who would favor Trump, a slight lead Joe Biden didn’t have before withdrawing from the race. The former prosecutor and California Senator now enjoys the Democrats’ support after securing the endorsement of over half of her party’s delegates. Harris has also been able to raise over 310 mln USD for her election campaign, which is double the amount raised by her Republican contender. The US presidential election is slated for November 5.

OLYMPICS – Romanian athletes on Monday are competing in athletics, artistic gymnastics, wrestling, water polo, table tennis and sailing. Romania currently ranks 12^th in the medal standings, with seven gold, three silver and one bronze. The gold medals were grabbed by David Popovici in the 200m freestyle race, Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache in the men’s pair and the women’s eight crew in rowing. The silver medals were won by Ancuța Bodnar and Simona Radiș in the women’s pair, Ioana Vrînceanu and Roxana Anghel in the women’s double sculls, Gianina van Groningen and Ionela Cozmiuc in the women’s lightweight double sculls, while the bronze medal was scooped by David Popovici in the 100m freestyle race. The authorities are rewarding gold medals with 140 thousand EUR, silver with 100 thousand EUR and bronze with 60 thousand EUR each. (VP)

5 August 2024
Elections and candidates

The start of the election year in Romania will be June 9, when around 19 million Romanians are expected to vote in local and European Parliament elections. The president of the Permanent Election Authority, Toni Greblă, held a press briefing detailing how elections will unfold. Almost 19,000 polling stations will be set up at national level and 915abroad, twice the number of previous rounds of election. The total number of candidates stands at over 207,000, of whom 494 are enrolled in the race for the European Parliament. Almost 100 million ballots have already been printed and distributed across the territory, Toni Greblă said, adding that Romanian citizens can only vote at the polling station in the area of their residence in the local election. Citizens who’ve changed their residence address at least 60 days before the election can also vote in their designated polling stations. Toni Greblă also mentioned the documents required to vote in Romania – an identity card or other suitable documents except travel passports. People who need a mobile ballot box can request one, and citizens who cannot cast their votes due to visible signs of illness can be accompanied in the voting booth by a person of their choice, who cannot however be a member of the polling station or an official candidate.

In the European Parliament election, eligible voters who reside or are temporarily living abroad can vote in any polling section abroad, upon presenting a Romanian identity document valid on the day of the vote. Voters must put a stamp on each of the five ballots they will receive, and any ballot inserted into a box other than the designated one will be considered valid and will not be canceled, Toni Greblă said.

As early as last week, the Foreign Ministry dispatched all materials related to the vote to Romania’s diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad: over 2.5 million ballots, stamps, adhesive stamps and control stamps. The list of polling stations abroad is available on the website of the Foreign Ministry, in the section devoted to the European Parliament election. Voting will start at 7:00 AM and end at 10:00 PM with the possibility of voting hours being extended until midnight if there are still voters in line who want to vote, Toni Greblă explained. On the other hand, the Central Electoral Bureau announced that real time updates will be provided on voter turnout on election day for each individual election, and that once polls close, the minutes from each polling station will be published on the Bureau’s website. (VP)

29 May 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 7^th 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)

2 May 2024
February 26, 2022 UPDATE

WAR IN UKRAINE – Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s allies continue
to deliver weapons to his country, dismissing false information according to
which he had ordered the army to surrender. President Zelensky said on Saturday
that the Ukrainian army ‘ruined Russia’s plans’ on the third day of the
invasion, and has urged president Putin to put an end to the fighting, AFP
reports. Russian forces on Saturday mounted a new coordinated and artillery
attack on several Ukrainian cities, including the capital-city Kyiv, where
gunfire and explosions were reported in the proximity of Government buildings,
according to eye-witness reports and Ukrainian army officials. Also on Saturday, the Russian army received the order to expand its offensive in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. US president Joe
Biden has signed a decree disbursing 600 USD to Ukraine in assistance. 350
million dollars have been earmarked to purchase ‘defense items and services as
well as military training’. At the same time, the White House has called on
Congress to make available 6.4 billion USD in response to the Russian invasion
of Ukraine, of which 3.5 billion will be earmarked to the Department of
Defense. The USA and the EU imposed sanctions
on the Russian president and the Russian Foreign Minister. Additionally,
NATO announced it will continue to provide weapons to Kyiv and has mobilized its
rapid response force on the Alliance’s eastern flank.

NATO – The Romanian Foreign Ministry on Saturday called on Russia to
immediately cease acts of unprovoked aggression and withdraw its troops and
equipment from Ukraine. In a press release, the Minsitry says that 8 years
since the annexation of Crimea, Russia continues to breach international law.
The Romanian Embassy in Kyiv also suspended its activity, as did the General
Consular Office in Odessa. The entire embassy staff was safely repatriated. Romania’s
consular offices in Chernivtsi and Solotvino are still open. Romania closed
down its airspace to all Russian aircraft, the Romanian civil aviation
authority announced on Saturday. France will relocate 500 of its NATO military
to Romania in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the French chief of
general staff, Thierry Burkhard has announced. NATO has decided to consolidate
its presence on the eastern flank and send a strong message of strategic
solidarity by deploying forces to Romania, General Burkhard argued, adding that
France’s NATO personnel in Estonia will also be reinforced ahead of schedule.
At the same time, Portugal will also accelerate the deploying of its infantry
to Romania as part of NATO operations originally slated for the second half of
the year. Portugal will also help receive Ukrainian refugees by granting
emergency visas, EFE news agency reports. Prime Minister Antonio Costa told a
press briefing at the end of the NATO summit that this infantry battalion
comprises 174 military and is due to head out to Romania within the next few
weeks.

REFUGEES – In Romania, authorities and civil society are coordinating in order to
assist people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
An online platform was created on the Government website where people
can access support measures and initiatives in real-time. The authorities have
also started building the two refugee camps, one in Sighet, in Maramureș County, and the other in
Siret, Suceava County, both in the north. Some 20,000 refugees from Ukraine have crossed
into Romania since the start of the Russian invasion, mostly women and
children. As hotels and guesthouses are getting overcrowed real fast in the
north and northeast, association of volunteers have offered to put up people,
including in their own homes. People and NGOs have mobilized from the start of
the war and have prepared food, water and hot coffee adn tea for refugees
crossing the border. The Red Cross is on the ground, distributing food and
personal hygiene products together with a large retailer. Lists with essential
phone numbers are distributed to the refugees, whereas volunteers have set up
phone-charging systems and local Wi-Fi networks close to the border. (VP)

26 February 2022
June 20, 2020

COVID-19 IN
ROMANIA – The number of daily COVID infections continues to rise, exceeding
300 new cases. Pressure on hospitals keeps mounting, as the number of sick who
recover continues to drop. According to the latest update, 1.500 people died to
the virus since the beginning of the outbreak. 23.730 infections have been
confirmed in the country, while 16.735 people have recovered. 190 patients are
in intensive care, nearly 1.330 people are in institutionalized quarantine and
another 80.000 are in home isolation under medical observation. 3.531 Romanians
living abroad have tested positive for SARS CoV2 and 115 have died.

COVID-19 IN
THE WORLD – The World Health Organization has warned that the COVID-19
pandemic has entered a new and dangerous phase. WHO director, Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyessus has warned that the virus remains lethal, continuing to spread
rapidly. According to the WHO official, the daily number of new cases has hit a
record high globally, over 150.000, most of which are reported in North and
South America, the Middle East and South Asia. Brazil has reported nearly
55.000 new infections in only 24 hours, totaling over 1 million infections,
making it the second-most affected country in the world, after the United
States, Reuters informs. The virus has killed nearly 463.000 people around the
world, infected 8.7 million people, of whom 4.6 million have recovered, the
latest data published on the worldometers.info platform reveals.

ONLINE FORM – Air
passengers entering the country via Henri Coanda airport must file an online
form stating their epidemiological status. Available as of Friday, the form is
aimed at reducing waiting times and boosting the flow of arrivals, with the
overall purpose of preventing the SARS CoV2 virus from spreading. The form can
be accessed on bucharestairports.ro.

REPATRIATIONS – The Foreign Ministry announced the repatriation of
another 339 Romanian citizens from France and Great Britain on Thursday, as a
result of a joint effort of the Transport and Interior Ministries. The people
in question were affected by COVID measures and flight restrictions. The
authorities also helped 19 French, 2 Canadian, 1 Tunisian and 1 American return
to Romania. A number of British and French citizens were also returned to their
home countries.

BEACHES – Romania has four Blue Flag beaches, after last year only
three beaches got this rating, commonly used to signal a number of high
environmental and quality criteria necessary to obtain certification, such as
water quality, cleanliness and safety. Neighboring Bulgaria got Blue Flag
certification for 15 of its beaches this year. At global level, over 4.500 beaches
got certified for 2020. Spain ranks 1, with 590 beaches, followed by Greece,
Turkey, Italy and France.

REACTION – The Foreign Ministry has dismissed the
statements of Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó as ungrounded and
disrespectful, after the latter has labeled President Klaus Iohannis an
extremist, anti-Hungarian politician in a Facebook post. The Hungarian official
said the President’s decision to challenge the constitutionality of a law on
opening a new crossing point on the Hungarian border goes against efforts to
bring the two countries closer together. The Foreign Ministry says the
President attacked the law because it violated the principle of separation of
state powers, and never meant to take action against Hungary or the Hungarian
minority in Romania. The Government already has an agreement in place with
Hungary to open a new border crossing point, which is why the Foreign Ministry
was surprised at the Hungarian official’s reaction, which it deems unjustified,
disproportionate and out of context.

WEATHER ALERTS – Meteorologists on Saturday have
issued a code orange alert for three quarters of Romania, in place until Sunday
morning, and a code yellow alert for the rest of the country. The weather will
be unstable during the interval, with hail, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall
expected to trigger massive floods in the target areas. A code red has been
called for Caras-Severin, Timis, Mures and Harghita counties. The latest heavy
rain has wrought havoc in scores of towns and villages, particularly in the southwest
and center of the country, brigades of firefighters being called to pump water
out of dozens of households.

(Translated by V. Palcu)

20 June 2020
October 31, 2018

MOTION — The Chamber of Deputies has today rejected by voting the simple motion tabled by two opposition parties, the National Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union, against justice minister Tudorel Toader. He had been accused by the signatories of having abandoned justice in the hands of criminals. In response, Toader said during the debates held in a plenary session on Tuesday that he took action so that citizens be not sent to court unjustly. We recall that minister Tudorel Toader initiated the procedure to remove from office Romania’s General Prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, whom he reproached that he had stirred constitutional conflicts and of having a political public discourse, making accusations of the legislative and executive power. Toader’s arguments in favour of Augustin Lazar’s removal from power have been rejected by Lazar and a large part of the magistrates as ungrounded. Toader evoked similar arguments in the case relating to the request of sacking the former head of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi, whom Klaus Iohannis had to revoke following a ruling issued by the Constitutional Court.

PITTSBURGH — The Romanian Foreign Ministry has firmly condemned the armed attack against a synagogue in Pittsburgh, the US, on October 27, which left many victims, a communiqué released by the Romanian Foreign Ministry reads. The Romanian Foreign Ministry firmly condemns any Anti-Semitic gesture and supports the efforts made by the international community in preventing, fighting and punishing acts of racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, the communiqué also reads. 11 people have been killed and six injured on Saturday, when a man opened fire at the believers in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The perpetrator of the attack will be prosecuted, among others, for anti-Semitic crime and he might get a death penalty. This has been the most violent anti-Semitic attack carried out in the US over the past decades.

ROMANIAN-SWISS RELATIONS –President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday will receive the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, who is paying an official visit to Bucharest on October 31 and November 1. The two officials will approach ways to develop bilateral relations, aspects related to the focal points on the European agenda, including Switzerland’s financial contribution to the EU Cohesion Fund, as well as regional issues. The visit to Romania comes against the backdrop of efforts to boost bilateral dialogue and Romania’s holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019. Klaus Iohannis will assure the Swiss side of Romania’s further support for promoting an open, constructive and mutually advantageous dialogue, between the EU and the Swiss Confederation.

IMF — An IMF mission led by the head of the IMF mission to Romania, Jaewoo Lee, will be in Bucharest between November 6 and 12, the IMF Resident Representative in Romania and Bulgaria, Alejandro Hajdenberg has said. According to him, the IMF team will analyse the latest economic and financial evolutions in Romania, will update the macro-economic outlooks and will discuss about the 2019 budget. Romania has no ongoing financing agreement with the IMF, but that financial institution is analyses the evolution of the Romanian economy every year.

RADIO ROMANIA — On November 1, Radio Romania celebrates 90 years since the first broadcast was aired. The series of events organised on this occasion continues today with a concert given by the Radio Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Horvath. On Thursday, an extraordinary concert will be given by the National Radio Orchestra, alongside the Academic Choir and the Radio Children’s Choir, under the baton of Cristian Mandeal. Also on Thursday, the national public radio will air the inaugural episode of the first radio sitcom in Romania, titled “Undeva în 28” (literally, “Somewhere in 28” in Romanian).

PUMPKIN — Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania were the largest pumpkin and gourd producers in the EU, according to data released by Eurostat on Wednesday, when Halloween is being celebrated. Some 24 thousand hectares of land were cultivated with these vegetables. The largest producers of pumpkin and gourd from the whole of the EU last year were Spain with 115,000 tons and France with 96,000 tons. Romania ranked seventh with over 20 thousand tons.

WEATHER — Romania enjoys lots of sunshine today. The highs of the day range from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. The noon reading in Bucharest was 25 degrees.

31 October 2018
Debates on the multi-speed Europe

The Romanian Foreign Ministry and the European Commission representation in Bucharest on Monday held a debate on the EU’s evolution. Attending was also Romanian Minister for European Affairs, Ana Birchall. She said that in the ten years that have elapsed since its EU accession, Romania had tried to show that it was a credible partner dedicated to European efforts. She recalled the opinion polls conducted at European level showing that the Romanians’ confidence in the EU had constantly been above the European average. The Minister for European Affairs went on to say that Romania would actively participate in any project aimed to strengthen the Union’s unity and would further be a firm advocate of the initiatives of cohesion and bridging the development gaps among the member states.

On the other hand, Ana Birchall said that the EU’s position on the international scene would be weakened if artificial barriers were imposed dividing the member states into groups according to the notion of a “multi-speed Europe”, constantly put forth by EU leaders, a notion that has recently been given up. The Rome Declaration signed by the 27 EU member states last week highlights the Union’s unity. However, the Rome Declaration also says, “We will act together at different paces and intensity where necessary”.

Ana Birchall: “Romania will actively participate in any project meant to strengthen the unity of our big European families. We cannot imagine the future outside the EU. No EU reform process must impair its basic values and freedoms. However, there is the risk of a reform focusing on moving forward in restricted formats and of the rights of some of the EU citizens being affected.”

Attending the debates, the head of the European Commission Representation in Bucharest, Angela Cristea, has explained that at present the EU member states and the European institutions are using the same terms but with different meanings in their debates on the future.

Angela Cristea: “One of the EU’s strong, fundamental values is the rule of law. Everybody promotes the rule of law and the basic rights, but does everybody have the same definition, the same understanding of those concepts? It would be helpful for us to make sure we understand the same concepts. That is also the purpose of the five scenarios on the EU’s future, to make sure that they give rise to debates on various perceptions of what we expect from the EU”

Romania has opposed a multi-speed Europe from the very beginning. A few days ago, president Klaus Iohannis warned that if that scenario had further been pursued, the EU would have taken steps back and the East European states would have been the losers.

(Translated by Anamaria Palcu)

28 March 2017
January 12, 2016 UPDATE

ISTANBUL BLAST– The Romanian Foreign Ministry firmly condemns the terrorist attack carried out in Istanbuls historical district of Sultanahmet on Tuesday, which left dead and wounded. In a press release, the Romanian Foreign Ministry reiterates Romanias solidarity with the Turkish people and its support for the Turkish authorities in the effort to fight terrorism under all its forms. The perpetrator of the suicide bombing which killed over 10 people, among whom nine German nationals, is a Jihadist member of the Islamic State group, said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. An emergency government meeting was summoned shortly after the blast, which occurred not far away from the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, two monuments that are very popular with tourists. According to “CNN Turk, tourists from Germany and Norway are among the injured. Some months ago, a double suicide bombing killed 103 people in front of the central railway station in Ankara. The attack, the severest on Turkish soil ever, was blamed on the Islamic State Jihadist group.

DIPLOMACY – Romanian Foreign Minister, Lazar Comanescu, paid a visit to Berlin on Tuesday, at the invitation of his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The talks focused on bilateral relations as well as on issues of topical interest on the European, regional and international agenda. One of the focal points of the talks was the cooperation between Bucharest and Berlin in the context in which Germany is holding the presidency of the OSCE this year. Lazar Comanescu underlined Germanys importance as an economic engine at European level and as a partner of Romania. Over 20% of Romanias foreign trade is bound for Germany and the Romanian-German trade balance is reasonably balanced, the Romanian Foreign Minister said. Over 20,000 companies running on German capital operate in Romania at present, employing over 300,000 people.

NEW IMF MISSION CHIEF FOR ROMANIA – The new head of the IMF mission to Romania, the Pakistani Reza Baqir, is currently on a four-day visit to Bucharest, as of today, to meet the Romanian authorities. He replaces Andrea Schaechter, who completed her two and a half year term in office. Reza Baqir has been working with the IMF for 15 years, and was previously employed by the World Bank. At present Romania does not have an on-going agreement with the IMF. The latest accord came to an end in September 2015, after several failed attempts to reconcile the divergent views of the Romanian authorities and the international financial institution with respect to the fiscal relaxation promoted by Bucharest. Meanwhile, on Monday Romania signed a new memorandum with the World Bank, concerning the improvement of public administration efficiency. Under the new deal, WB will continue to provide technical assistance to Romanian public institutions until 2023 and will support the Government in enforcing structural reforms and public administration modernisation programmes.

MOLDOVA – The leader of the Democratic Party in the Republic of Moldova, Marian Lupu, announced, after consultations with President Nicolae Timofti, the formation of a new parliamentary majority which could get a new cabinet endorsed. According to Lupu, the new coalition includes 56 out of the total 101 MPs: Democrats, Liberals, some members of the Liberal-Democrat floor group, which was part of the former pro-Western government coalition, as well as the 14 ex-Communist MPs who created a so-called Social Democratic Platform. Until Wednesday, Lupu said, this majority would also nominate a new candidate for the PM post. Moldovan media quoted by Radio Romania correspondents suggest this might be Vlad Plahotniuc, a controversial businessman and the one who finances the Democratic Party. Unless a new cabinet is sworn in by January 29, President Timofti will have to dissolve Parliament and call snap elections. The governmental crisis started in autumn, when the three-party government headed by the Liberal Democrat Valeriu Strelet was dismissed under a no-confidence motion tabled by the pro-Moscow left wing and backed by the Democrats.

COUNTER-TERRORISM – The global counter-terrorism forum and the international coalition against the IS group convened on Monday for the first time, in the Hague, to coordinate efforts to fight terrorism. Officials from 50 countries concluded at the Europol meeting, initiated and chaired by the Netherlands, that fighting terrorism does not require new structures, but rather the implementation of all agreements and improved cooperation. The issue of young people recruited by terrorist groups into Syria and Iraq was also discussed. Countries are urged to step up and strengthen intelligence sharing concerning such youth. The Dutch Foreign Minister, Bert Koenders, emphasised that the efforts to counter terrorism must stay within the limits of both legal and moral principles.

(Translated and edited by Diana Vijeu)

12 January 2016
January 7, 2016 UPDATE

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday in Berlin that the Romanian-German economic ties will be strengthened on condition that the improvement of the Romanian justice system and the fight against corruption continue. In his turn, the Romanian Prime Minister, Dacian Ciolos, said that Germany was an important strategic partner of Romania and the country’s first commercial partner, with an annual value of bilateral trade of over 20 billion euros. PM Ciolos also said he planned to return to Germany in an attempt to boost economic cooperation between the two countries. The Romanian PM’s visit to Germany was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and agreeing on common goals on the European agenda, including issues pertaining to migration and to EU foreign policy. Ciolos also met with representatives of the Bundestag Friendship Group and of the Romanian community in Germany.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry announced that authorities in the neighbouring Bulgaria issued a yellow code alert for heavy snow, glaze and wind for several regions in the country. The Ministry recommends drivers to have their cars equipped for bad weather and to visit the website www.mae.ro for more information. Also, all Romanian citizens travelling abroad are advised to download and consult the ‘Safe Travel’ application, including information, travel recommendations and alerts in case of emergencies. The eastern half of Romania is also under a yellow code alert for heavy snow and sleet, valid until Friday morning. On Thursday, the airport in Cluj-Napoca, in north-western Romania was temporarily closed, after a plane overran a snow-covered runway while landing. Nobody was injured. Civil aviation security investigators are probing the incident.

French police on Thursday shot dead a man who tried to enter a Paris police station brandishing a butcher’s knife and wearing a suicide vest, which later proved to be fake, news agencies announced. According to the French authorities, the incident is being investigated as a terrorist “attempted murder” of public officials in authority. The incident took place on the day when Paris commemorated one year since the terrorist attacks in the French capital which killed 17 people, including 12 employees of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo.

The World Bank has upgraded its economic growth forecast for Romania, from 3.2 to 3.9% this year, and from 3.5 to 4.1% for 2017. In its latest report on global economic developments issued on Wednesday, the World Bank has also upgraded its forecast on the growth of Romania’s GDP for last year, from 3 to 3.6%. In another development, the National Bank of Romania on Thursday decided to maintain its monetary policy interest rate at 1.75% per year.

The United States, South Korea and Japan have announced they would stand united after North Korea on Wednesday announced the successful test of a hydrogen bomb. London, Paris, Moscow and even Beijing have condemned the move. The UN Security Council also agreed to impose fresh sanctions on North Korea. The Romanian Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has expressed concern, seeing the announcement as a threat to world peace and security. This is the fourth nuclear test carried out by Pyongyang since 2006. If confirmed, this will be the first hydrogen bomb test.

Romania’s national football squad continues to rank 16th in the world, according to FIFA’s World Ranking made public on January 7th. With the majority of the top teams enjoying a well-deserved break in the final weeks of 2015, the situation in the top 50 remains largely unchanged from the latest ranking. Sweden have moved up one position into 34th place, Iran have climbed two places into 43rd and Guinea have gained one position in 49th. France continues to be on the 25th position while Switzerland and Albania rank 12th and 38th respectively. The qualification for next year’s Euro 2016 is a great achievement for Romanian football. In their first Euro 2016 match, Romania will face France in the tournament’s opening game on 10th of June on Stade de France stadium. In their next game on 15th June, the Romanians play against Switzerland and then against Albania on 19th June in Lyon.

(Translated by Elena Enache)

7 January 2016