Radio România Internațional

Tag: Roxana Minzatu

  • Romanian foreign policy priorities

    Romanian foreign policy priorities

    The European Union understands that Romania remains a strong, stable state with priorities aligned with European ones, the Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said after meeting on Tuesday with Romania’s Foreign Minister, Emil Hurezeanu, in Brussels. The two officials discussed support for the EU enlargement process, continuing support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, developing a strategic vision for the Black Sea, promoting convergence and cohesion objectives in negotiations on the upcoming post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework or consolidating European action in the field of defense. Roxana Mînzatu:

     

    “We are aware Romania’s contribution is making Europe strong, not only from the perspective of the security of the Eastern Flank, of energy security. There are multiple ways Romania makes Europe stronger, and the European Union understands that. We also discussed Romania’s role in supporting candidate states, especially Moldova, Ukraine. It is important to look at how we support the preparation of candidate states. Romania’s role is particularly important”.

     

    According to the European Commission Vice-President, one of the topics discussed during the meeting referred to the automotive industry, a vital sector for Romania as well. “’I will be part of this effort to support industries, to create new jobs and develop new investments in Europe”, Roxana Mînzatu gave assurances. The two officials also discussed the Green Industrialization Plan, which the European Commission will soon launch and ways Romania can contribute, but also benefit from clear priorities within this mechanism.

     

    “We want Romania to be a well-developed, robust presence in areas of interest to the EU”, Emil Hurezeanu said in turn. The Romanian Foreign Minister added that the EU is preparing plans, ideas and strategic documents, and Romania has specific interests in this regard. Minister Hurezeanu in particular referred to projects targeting the Black Sea strategy, the Republic of Moldova or the 2028-2034 multiannual budget. During his two-day visit to Brussels, Emil Hurezeanu attended the Foreign Affairs Council meeting and discussed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The minister recalled Romania’s support for the sovereignty, integrity and independence of Ukraine and stressed the importance of continuing the EU’s multidimensional support for the neighboring state. Minister Hurezeanu also reiterated Romania’s support for the European accession efforts of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

     

    On the sidelines of his meeting with the NATO Secretary General, the Romanian official discussed security developments on the Eastern Flank, with a focus on the Black Sea region and the continued effort to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense postures. Emil Hurezeanu emphasized Romania’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and the deep commitment of Romanian society to democratic values. (VP)

  • November 12, 2024

    November 12, 2024

    VISIT – Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is paying an official visit to the UK on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King. According to a Government press release, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu will also attend the Romania-UK Economic Forum, and will meet with representatives of the Romanian community. “The government is interested in consolidating the Strategic Partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in all fields of bilateral interest, responding to the changing challenges and opportunities. The Romanian community in the UK is big, and fostering the rights of our compatriots is a key pillar of bilateral cooperation”, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said. This is the first visit of a Romanian Prime Minister to the UK in 17 years.

     

    ELECTION – Some 200 postal votes for the parliamentary and presidential election in Romania have already arrived from Romanians living abroad and will be counted together with the other votes, the chairman of the Permanent Election Authority (AEP), Toni Greblă, has said. 6,650 citizens have demanded to vote by post and must send their options no later than two days before the start of the voting process proper. The first round of the presidential election is slated for November 24, the second round for December 8, while the parliamentary election will take place on December 1.

     

    INFLATION – The annual inflation rate climbed in October to 4.67% from 4.62% in September, the National Statistics Institute reports. Foods prices went up by 4.75%, while prices for non-food products also increased by 3.45%. Services also went up 7.66%. The National Bank of Romania has upgraded its inflation estimate for the end of 2024, from 4% previously to 4.9%. The Bank expects the inflation rate to go down to 3.5% at the end of 2025, according to a report made public by Governor Mugur Isărescu this Monday. On the other hand, Romania’s trade deficit went up 15% in the first nine months of 2024, reaching some 23.5 bln EUR, the National Statistics Institute reports. Exports have exceeded 69 bln EUR, a 1.4% drop. Imports totaled nearly 93 bln EUR, accounting for a 2.3% increase.

     

    GOTECH WORLD – Officials and representatives of the business sector are attending the opening of GoTech World 2024, an event hosted by Bucharest over November 12-13. This year’s edition of B2B Expo brings together over 120 experts from the sector and nearly 100 exhibitors. Organizers expect a turnover of some 15,000 guests. GoTech World (previously known as Internet & Mobile World) is the biggest conference and expo in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as a regional hub for digital economy, providing professionals from the region with access B2B tech solutions, insight into various digital fields and networking opportunities.

     

    ENESCU – For the first time in the history of Romania, all four violins owned by composer George Enescu will be on the same stage in November 2024, as part of a national tour. The violins are currently in the collection of the “George Enescu” Museum in Bucharest and are classified as “national treasures”. The tour kicks off on November 12 at the Culture Palace in Iași (northeast).  Gabriel Croitoru will be performing on the 1731 “Cathedral” Guarnieri del Gesù violin, Simina Croitoru on the 1931 Paul Klaul violin, Paul Răducanu on the 1930 Paul Klaul and Mircea Dumitrescu on the 1835 Frères Pierre and Hippolyte Silvestre. The tour will then  travel to other cities across the country, before moving to Bologna (Italy). The four violins were donated to the Romanian state by George Enescu’s wife, Maria Cantacuzino-Enescu, upon the foundation of the Museum in 1956.

     

    HEARING – The remaining six European Commissioners, designated for the positions of European Commission executive vice-presidents, including Romania’s nomination, Roxana Mînzatu, are today taking part in hearings before the European Parliament’s special committees. Designated European Commission Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness, will appear before the Committee for Labor and Social Affairs, and before the Committee on Culture and Education. According to Agerpres, Romanian MPs from various political groups say EU Commissioners will pass today’s hearings with little effort.  (VP)

  • November 5, 2024 UPDATE

    November 5, 2024 UPDATE

    Visit – The European commissioner for agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, is paying an official visit to Romania on Wednesday, the EC announced in a statement. The commissioner will participate in the conference themed “Multi-sectoral Pact for an Integrated Agricultural Policy of Romania – objective 2035”. At the same time, the official is a special guest in the EU-Romania Interactive Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture. According to the press release, the commissioner will talk about the perspectives of European farmers in the context of environmental and geo-political challenges and of the EU enlargement. At the same time, he will have an intervention in the plenary session, with the theme “Vision and action for the sustainable transformation of agriculture”. Janusz Wojciechowski was quoted as saying that ‘First of all, it will be an opportunity to thank Romanian farmers for their vital contribution to food security, both in Europe and outside it. In recent years, farmers in Romania have shown remarkable resilience, passing well through a pandemic, through economic recessions and through the energy crisis, besides climate-related challenges,” said commissioner Wojciechowski.

     

    Commissioner – Roxana Mînzatu, proposed for the position of European Commissioner from Romania, received a favorable opinion, on Tuesday, in the specialized commissions of the Romanian Parliament. At the hearings, she stated that the “People, Competences and Training” portfolio, which she will handle, accounts for almost 20% of the EU’s multiannual budget. She mentioned that, as executive vice-president of the European Commission, she will also coordinate the area of ​​preparation for emergency situations. Roxana Mînzatu will be one of the six vice-presidents of the future European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen.  Mînzatu aims to make the teaching career more attractive, in a Europe where at least 24 states are facing a crisis of teachers and, at the same time, she wants to improve the Erasmus+ program, considered far too expensive by many Romanian students. On November 12, Roxana Mînzatu will be heard in the specialized commissions of the European Parliament.

     

    IMF – The International Monetary Fund representatives started, on Tuesday, technical talks with the Romanian authorities to analyze the economic and financial developments of Romania in the last period. The delegation will have meetings in particular at the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry. The officials will discuss the evolution of inflation and the economy, the balance of payments, public debt and budget deficit, monetary and fiscal policy. Although Romania currently does not have an agreement with the Fund, the financial institution annually evaluates the country’s economy and makes recommendations. The IMF mission in Romania will end on Friday.

     

    Spain – The Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) announced on Tuesday that, according to the information sent by the Spanish authorities, so far, two Romanian citizens have died and seven are reported missing, following the meteorological phenomena that affected Spain. The MAE also informs that the representatives of the Romanian Embassy in Madrid and the Romanian Consulate in Castellon de la Plana remain in permanent contact with the competent Spanish authorities regarding the Romanians affected by the recent meteorological phenomena. At the same time, Romanian citizens can request assistance from the Romanian consulates in the main Spanish cities – the MAE also announced. In Spain, the Madrid government has declared a state of natural disaster in the affected areas and has pledged to cover all the urgent expenses of the affected municipalities. A first emergency plan worth 10.6 billion Euros was adopted, with direct aid and fiscal facilities for citizens and 30,000 companies.

     

    Meeting – The Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu had a meeting in Bucharest on Tuesday with a delegation of Japanese investors from the fields of energy, research and technology, industry, infrastructure and banking. The head of the executive appreciated the level of bilateral relations, developed on the basis of the Strategic Partnership. He emphasized Romania’s role as a factor of stability in Europe and in the region, as well as the geostrategic, economic and political advantages that qualify it as a destination for investors. The Japanese delegation expressed its interest in strengthening financial support for Romania in projects in the fields of transport infrastructure, energy, digitization and high technology. Previously, during a bilateral Energy Forum that took place in Bucharest, the Romanian Energy Ministry and the Japanese company Itochu Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the Tarnița-Lăpuștești investment (in central Romania). It is a project of strategic importance for balancing the energy system in Romania, necessary in the context of increasing the share of energy from renewable sources. (LS)

  • October 11, 2024

    October 11, 2024

    Inflation – The inflation rate in Romania dropped, in September, to 4.62%, after, in August, it had registered a value of 5.1%. This is the official data of the National Institute of Statistics published today. The prices for foodstuffs have increased, on average, by 0.8%, and for services by approximately 0.4%. Spectacular price hikes were recorded in the case of citrus fruits and other exotic fruits, approximately 7.5%. Prices of vegetables and canned food also went up by over 5%. Significantly increased prices were also recorded for beans and other legumes. Potatoes, on the other hand, became cheaper by approximately 5.23%, and other products by less than 2%. In the case of services, postal rates increased by 17.8%, air transport by 17.2%, and non-foods such as detergents by 14.7%. The prices for water supply and sanitation services also recorded a 12.6% increase.

     

    Commissioner – The designated European Commissioner of Romania, Roxana Mînzatu, will be heard, on Saturday, by the committees of the European Parliament. MEPs from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and from the Committee on Culture and Education will participate in the hearings. Another two committees, the one on women’s rights and gender equality and the Committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs will have a guest status, in the sense that they will have the right to ask the commissioner proposed by Romania a written question. Roxana Mînzatu was appointed executive vice-president of the European Commission and could hold, in the next five years, the portfolio on employment, social affairs and education.

     

    Concert season – “Ode to Joy ” was scheduled to open, this evening, the new concert season of Radio Romania’s orchestras and choirs. The show at the Radio Hall, conducted by the Austrian Sascha Goetzel, is designed around one of the most famous works in the history of music, the Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven. At the absolute premiere in Vienna, on May 7, 1824, Beethoven was turned to face the audience to see the applause which he could no longer hear at all, due to his total hearing loss. “Ode to Joy” is the first musical score included in the UNESCO world heritage.

     

    Nobel – The Japanese Nihon Hidankyo movement won, on Friday, the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2024, for “its efforts to reach a world without nuclear weapons”, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced, according to international press agencies. The Nobel Peace Prize is the only one awarded in Oslo, the prizes for the other categories being awarded in Stockholm. The Norwegian Nobel Institute registered 286 candidacies for this year’s award, including 197 individuals and 89 organizations. Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Iranian Narges Mohammadi “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all”.

     

    Schengen – Austria continues to oppose the admission of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area with land borders. The problem was discussed, on Thursday, in Luxembourg, at the meeting of the European Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs. Although the European Commission and the European Parliament say that both countries meet all the conditions for accession, Austrian Minister Gerhard Karner claims that there is still a lot to be done. The European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson expressed optimism that the Council of the EU will decide to remove border checks at the Bulgarian and Romanian Schengen borders before her term ends. She added that the accession of Romania and Bulgaria would be discussed again during the Council meeting in December.

     

    Elections – 14 candidates will be registered on the ballots in the first round of Romania’s presidential election on November 24 – 10 supported by political parties and 4 independents. On Thursday evening, the Central Electoral Bureau established, by drawing of lots, the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot, but one of the candidates announced the intention to challenge the procedure. The deadline for Romanian citizens domiciled or residing abroad to register to vote by mail in the presidential elections expired at midnight. According to the data of the Permanent Electoral Authority, less than 7,000 people registered on the votstrainatate.ro platform. The second round of the presidential election will take place on December 8. (LS)

  • The Week in Review 16-20.09.2024

    The Week in Review 16-20.09.2024

    Aid for victims

     

    Like the authorities in several European states, the Romanian authorities have also been on alert this week, after the severe floods that hit eastern Romania. Refugee camps have been set up and rescue operations have been organized following the floods that killed seven people and destroyed thousands of homes. A crisis cell was organized at the Health Ministry to provide medical assistance to the residents of Galaţi and Vaslui counties, the most affected by the floods. The Interior and Defense Ministries have mobilized hundreds of firefighters, gendarmes, soldiers, as well as equipment to help evacuate the victims and intervene in the restoration of the infrastructure destroyed by the waters. Camps with capacities of hundreds of places were set up in the most affected localities. And the Romanian Red Cross launched a disaster relief campaign and sent trucks with water and food to the area. The Romanian Government also allocated food and water and approved the removal from state reserves of some modular buildings where children can learn. It also approved, in the special meeting on Monday, emergency aid for the affected families. The Romanian authorities continue to promise support for the affected population. And the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a 10-billion-Euro worth of aid from the EU Cohesion Fund for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, affected by floods.

     

    Supreme Council for National Defense meeting in Bucharest

     

    A meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) took place in Bucharest on Thursday. The war in neighboring Ukraine, the endowment of the Army in the next ten years, as well as the strengthening of the Strategic Partnership with the Republic of Moldova were among the main topics of discussion. The CSAT members stated that Romania is directly interested in having industrial capacities on its territory that can ensure both the production of modern military equipment for equipping the force structure in peacetime, as well as the development of new equipment for multiplying military capabilities in crisis or war situations. Given the recent developments in the neighboring country, the CSAT members discussed additional measures to deter and combat security threats, to be implemented at the national level, as well as with the support of NATO allies. On the other hand, Romania reiterated its support for Moldova’s European path by supporting the implementation of reforms and the necessary public policies.

     

    B9 meeting in Bucharest

     

    NATO must react to Russia’s incursions into the airspace of its member countries, in the context of the war in Ukraine, says the Romanian Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr. At the B9 meeting in Bucharest of the defense ministers from the allied states on NATO’s eastern flank, the Romanian official said that the security situation in the Black Sea region remains worrying due to the threats generated by the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation, including through disinformation and cyber-attacks.

    Angel Tîlvăr: “The B9 states are deeply concerned about the repeated incursions of the Russian Federation drones and missiles into the NATO airspace in Poland, Romania, Latvia, as well as about the escalation of tensions along NATO’s borders. That is why a robust and coordinated response at the allied level is necessary, as well as the implementation as soon as possible of the rotational model of NATO’s integrated air and anti-missile defense”.

    Also on Wednesday, in Bucharest, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked Romania to analyze the possibility of shooting down the Russian drones and missiles near the Romanian airspace. During the meeting with his counterpart Luminiţa Odobescu, he appreciated the support for the defense of Ukraine’s independence through Romania’s decision to donate a Patriot system. The Romanian FM reaffirmed Romania’s full support for the defense of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

     

    Roxana Mânzatu, vice-president of the European Commission

     

    Romania has, for the first time, a position of vice-president of the European Commission, which will be occupied by the social-democratic MEP Roxana Mînzatu, a former minister of investments and European projects in Bucharest. The announcement was made by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who presented, on Tuesday, the makeup of the new EC. Roxana Mînzatu will also hold, in Brussels, the position of commissioner for Skills and Education, Jobs, Social Rights and Demography. She declared that the field received by Romania, in this case the labor market, is essential for the competitiveness of the EU. After the nomination, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has said that, in this way, Romania becomes part of decision-making in the European Union.

     

    National plan for large industry

     

    The governing coalition in Bucharest decided on Tuesday to complete as quickly as possible the support scheme for the large strategic investments in the manufacturing industry and in metallurgy, steel and the chemical industry. According to Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the plan has three main components: a state aid of 500 million Euros and tax facilities for investments of over 150 million Euros, another state aid of one billion Euros for six years for the decarbonization of production processes and energy efficiency and a third aid of about 250 million Euros for 15 companies that implement investments in the production of industrial raw materials.

     

    Partnership for the prevention of child trafficking

     

    The Romanian and American governments have signed a framework partnership in the field of child protection, intended to unfold over a period of five years. The US Ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, has given assurances that the United States will support Romania in its efforts to develop a victim-centered prevention strategy, to increase protection for children who are victims of trafficking and to improve its investigations. In turn, the Romanian Interior Minister, Cătălin Predoiu, has said that the signing of the partnership is a continuation of other collaborations and shows the determination of the Romanian authorities to combat child abuse in any form. Romania is the first country in Europe that will benefit from American financial support worth 10 million dollars for the improvement of the national system for preventing and combating child trafficking. (LS)

  • Roxana Mânzatu, vice-president of the European Commission

    Roxana Mânzatu, vice-president of the European Commission

    At the end of tense negotiations, the head of the European Commission, the German Conservative Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday made public the structure of the new community executive. For the first time, Romania was awarded a position of vice-president of the European Commission, which will be held by the current Social-Democrat MEP, Roxana Mînzatu. She held a temporary portfolio as Minister for Investments and European projects over June-November 2019. In Brussels, Roxana Mînzatu will oversee skills, education and culture, quality jobs, social rights and demography as the new vice-president for People, Skills and Preparedness. She believes her remit, namely the labor market, is key for the competitiveness of the Union.

     

    “We cannot talk about Europe’s competitiveness without the people. We cannot talk about competitiveness without enough workers in all sectors and for all technologies.  There is no question of competitiveness, if you are struggling with poverty, social conflicts, and young people don’t have jobs that match their skills”.

     

    President von Der Leyen announced that, along with preserving the balanced social and security model, economic competitiveness remains one of the EU’s top priorities. The EU official also insisted on ensuring gender balance in the new College of Commissioners. Of the 27 portfolios, 11 are held by women and 16 by men. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, in order to strike a balance in that respect, four women and two men were nominated for the six positions of commission vice-presidents. Also to that end, three commission vice-presidents are from Eastern Europe and three from Western Europe. At the same time, pundits say, the distribution of portfolios also reflects Ursula von Der Leyen’s need to secure two-thirds of the necessary votes in the European Parliament. Thus, a position of vice-president was granted to the right-wing radicals from the European Conservatives and Reformists, who are not part of Renew, the majority popular-socialist coalition.

     

    In Romania, the president of Roxana Mînzatu’s party, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, says that her nomination brings Romania to the decision-making table at EU level. The future Romanian commissioner will coordinate both the field of education and the area of ​​social policies, as well as related financing programs, the European Social Fund or the Climate Fund, the Prime Minister added. Meanwhile, the opposition states that a truly important portfolio for Romania would have been one with more economic weight. On an ironic note, the media writes that our Hungarian neighbors, famous for their defiance towards decision-makers in Brussels, were awarded the future portfolio for Animal Welfare. (VP)