Radio România Internațional

Tag: Romanian-German relations

  • Romanian-German relations, under scrutiny in Bucharest

    Romanian-German relations, under scrutiny in Bucharest

    The visit to Romania of Germany’s president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier as
    well as the frequent bilateral contacts in the recent period highlight the
    privileged and strategic character of relations between the two countries, the
    president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, said upon meeting in Bucharest his German
    counterpart. We have a strong political dialogue at bilateral and European
    levels, a robust economic cooperation and strong personal contacts, owing to
    the Romanian community in Germany and the German minority in Romania, president
    Iohannis pointed out. Himself a representative of the German minority, Klaus
    Iohannis said these communities are a living bridge between the two societies,
    with a significant contribution to the development of Romanian-German relations
    in the cultural, social and economic fields.

    For many years, Germany has been
    Romania’s top trade partner. Last year, two way-trade stood at over €40 bln,
    the president said, adding that there are over 25,000 companies with German
    capital operating in Romania, contributing €5.5 bln in terms of social capital,
    which makes Germany the second-largest investor in Romanian economy. On the
    other hand, the two heads of state also tackled Romania’s Schengen accession.
    Germany has long believed Romania deserves to be part of the free-movement
    area, president Steinmeier said, highlighting he is here to visit his friends.
    I can assure you that our efforts to persuade those who still oppose Romania’s
    accession will continue, the German president also said. Originally slated for
    2011, Romania’s Schengen accession was postponed due to opposition from several
    member states.

    The agenda for talks also included the security developments in the
    Black Sea region. We have assessed the threats and concluded that Romania,
    Germany and other NATO allies are stronger together and can thus ensure the
    security of our countries, Klaus Iohannis said. The president thanked his
    German counterpart for his country’s contribution to consolidate NATO’s eastern
    flank and take part in allied structures in Romania. Frank-Walter Steinmeier
    also met Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă. Talks focused on vistas for furthering cooperation at bilateral, EU
    and NATO levels. The two officials agreed to intensify cooperation between the
    two countries at EU and NATO levels in order to cope with current challenges,
    not just in terms of security, but economic and social challenges as well. Prime
    Minister Ciucă and president Steinmeier highlighted the
    importance of ensuring European and Euro-Atlantic unity and securing support
    for Ukraine. (VP)





  • German investments in Romania

    German investments in Romania

    German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, recommends to Romania to step up the process of making investments, also by using European funds and to try to access the Investment Plan for Europe launched by Jean-Claude Juncker, in order to catch up with other European states, relative to this issue. Schäuble travelled to Bucharest for a conference on the business opportunities provided by Romania and met with high-ranking officials here. The German minister said two-way trade exchanges are on the rise and hailed the way in which the Romanian economy is developing.



    Wolfgang Schäuble: “Romania has one of the most dynamic economic growth rates in the European Union, which is extremely significant at such difficult moments. It is also worth noting that the indebting rate stands below 40% of the Gross Domestic Product, which is a very important element for a finance minister. I advise you to maintain this level and not put it into jeopardy by taking careless measures”



    The German minister said the Romanian authorities should prevent the emergence of conflicts between local and foreign investors, as well as between big companies and SMEs. He also mentioned the relatively low unemployment rate in Romania, pointing however to the fact that, just like in many other European countries, young people are the most affected category from this point of view. He called on the relevant authorities to make use of the so-called dual professional education system, in the effort to solve this issue.



    During the talks with Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, the German official tackled the EU’s current challenges, among which migration and Great Britain’s leaving the community bloc. Another issue on the agenda of the talks between the two officials was the possibility to reduce the gaps between the EU member states.



    The German finance minister also held talks in Bucharest with Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, on the prospect of fresh German investments being made in Romania.



    According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, Romania and Germany have jointly built complex and lasting bilateral relations, based on common membership to the EU and NATO. In political and economic terms, bilateral relations have followed an upward trend in recent times, particularly after Romania joined the EU.



    An essential role in consolidating bilateral ties is played by the German ethnic minority in Romania, as well as by the ethnic Germans and Romanians who emigrated to Germany and who create a solid bridge between the two countries, at social, cultural, economic and political level.



    German President Joachim Gauck paid a visit to Romania in June 2016 and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis travelled to Berlin in February 2015 and September 2016.



    Germany is Romania’s largest trade partner, bilateral trade accounting for one fifth of Romania’s foreign trade. Also, Germany is the third largest investor in the Romanian economy (after the Netherlands and Austria), with 4.5 billion Euro, the equivalent of 11.5% of the total volume of investments. (Translated by D. Vijeu)