Tag: Saber Guardian 2017

  • Die Woche 17.07.-21.07.2017 im Überblick

    Die Woche 17.07.-21.07.2017 im Überblick

    Saber Guardian 2017 geht zu Ende



    Für die grö‎ßte US-geführte Militärübung Saber Guardian 17 sind vergangene Woche rund 8.000 Soldaten der NATO-Streitkräfte in Rumänien, Bulgarien und Ungarn zusammengekommen. 10 Kampf- und Logistikschiffe, 12 Boote und 18 Landfahrzeuge der Marine waren daran beteiligt. Die Übung sah zahlreiche Manöver auf See, am Land und in der Luft vor. Dabei wurde auch die planspielartige Übung zum Massenanfall von Verletzten MASCAL durchgeführt. An der von der US- amerikanischen medizinischen Brigade 30th Medical Brigade geführte Übung beteiligten sich ebenfalls auch 2 Unfallkrankenhäuser NATO ROL 2, die auf dem Militärstützpunkt im südostrumänischen Mihail Kogălniceanu stationiert wurden.



    Auf dem Luftstützpunkt Mihail Kogalniceanu, Landkreis Constanta (im Südosten Rumäniens) sind am Montag mehrere US-finanzierte Infrastrukturprojekte eröffnet worden. Es geht dabei um neue Einrichtungen für die Instandhaltung von Militärflugzeugen, Ausrüstungslager, Garagen und Ausbildungsstätten. Die zehn abgeschlossenen oder kurz vor der Finalisierung stehenden Projekte haben einen Wert von mehr als 4,5 Milliarden Dollar. Finanziert wurden die Projekte durch die European Reassurance Initiative, die die Operation Atlantic Resolve, ein wichtiges Element der rumänisch-amerikanischen strategischen Partnerschaft, unterstützt. Die turnusmä‎ßige Präsenz von US-Truppen auf rumänischem Territorium und im Schwarzmeerraum, sowie die US-Unterstützung bei der Modernisierung der Verteidigungskapazitäten Rumäniens spielen eine wichtige Rolle im heutigen Sicherheitskontext in der Region, steht in einem Communique des Bukarester Verteidigungsministeriums.



    Autonomie, Regionalisierung und Dezentralisation schon, aber nicht anhand von ethnischen Kriterien



    Am Dienstag befand sich Präsident Klaus Iohannis auf Besuch in den Landkreisen Covasna und Harghita. Er hob hervor, dass die Realitäten der beiden Landkreise allzu oft auf eine Art ausgelegt werden, dass sie zur Abschottung anregen, die Unterschiede betonen und die Anfeindung, Intoleranz und Abweisung der anderen fördern, die nicht zur selben Ethnie gehören, egal ob mehrheitlich oder minderheitlich. Das ist der sichere Weg, um den Fortschritt sowohl der Gemeinden als auch des Landes insgesamt zu blockieren, so Klaus Iohannis:



    Ich denke, dass eine Dezentralisierung obligatorisch ist, denn die Lokalvertreter wissen am besten was die Gemeinde benötigt und sie müssen über die erforderlichen Werkzeuge verfügen, um im lokalen Interesse zu handeln. Eine Regionalisierung ist nur anzustreben, wenn sie zu der Modernisierung der Verwaltung führt, damit diese effizienter im Interesse des Bürgers agiert und wenn sie durch Wirtschaftswachstum zur Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen führt. Eine Lokal- und Regionalautonomie ist hilfreich, aber eine Autonomie anhand ethnischer Kriterien ist nicht erwünscht, denn dieses würde die Entwicklung einschränken.“



    Laut dem Staatschef haben die Landkreise Covasna und Harghita z.B. ein besonderes Entwicklungspotential im Tourismusbereich. Deshalb müssten sich die Lokalbehörden für die Förderung dieses Bereichs einsetzen. In Covasna und Harghita werden die Ortschaften mehrheitlich von gewählten Vertretern des demokratischen Ungarnverbandes verwaltet. Der besagte Verband befand sich nach der rumänischen Wende von ´89 immer im Bukarester Parlament und gelegentlich auch in verschiedenen Regierungskoalitionen. Rumänien wurde immer für die Sorge geschätzt all seine ethnischen Minderheiten zu schützen, die rund 11% der gesamten Bevölkerung von ungefähr 20 Millionen Einwohner ausmachen. Die Ungarn stellen die grö‎ßte Landesminderheit dar.



    Gesundheitsministerium startet Informierungskampagne über Impfungen



    Das Bukarester Gesundheitsministerium hat am Montag eine Informierungskampagne über die Risiken gestartet, die die Rumänen eingehen, wenn sie ihre Kinder nicht impfen lassen. Die grö‎ßte Masern-Epidemie in Rumänien hat seit ihrem Ausbruch im Vorjahr 31 Opfer gefordert, über 8.000 Kinder haben sich infiziert. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation bezeichnet die Situation als inakzeptabel, nachdem sich die Epidemie in Europa weiter augebreitet hat. 35 Menschen sind europaweit in den letzten 12 Monaten durch Masern gestorben und jeden Tag werden mehrere Fälle gemeldet.



    Mehr als 2.300 Medikamente sollen darüber hinaus infolge der Erhöhung der Umsatzstzsteuer für Pharmaunternehmen auf dem rumänischen Markt nicht mehr verfügbar sein. Der rumänische Verband der Hersteller von Generika spricht sich für die differenzierte Berechung der Umsatzsteuer aus, die ab 2018 eingeführt werden soll. Das Gesundheitsministerium und die Krankenversicherungskasse sind bereits mit Vertretern der Pharmaunternehmen zu Gesprächen zusammengekommen, um eine für beide Seiten zufriedenstellende Lösung zu finden. In der jüngsten Regierungssitzung stellte der Premier Mihai Tudose besorgniserregende Daten vor: 180.000 rumänische Kinder hätten die Masernimpfung nicht gekriegt, weitere 80.000 seien gegen Poliomyelitis nicht geeimpft worden.



    Premierminister ernennt neue Führung des Finanzamtes



    Der rumänische Premier Mihai Tudose hat am Dienstag Mirela Călugăreanu zur Chefin der Nationalen Agentur für Steuerverwaltung ANAF ernannt. Der ehmalige ANAF-Präsident war am Montag durch einen Beschlu‎ß des Ministerpräsidenten aus seinem Amt entlassen worden. Ebenfalls am Montag erklärte der Vorsitzende der Sozialdemokratischen Partei, der wichtigsten Partei der Bukarester Regierungskoalition, Liviu Dragnea, er habe Premierminister Mihai Tudose aufgefordert, eine gründliche Untersuchung der Aktivität der ANAF durchzuführen und die notwendigen Ma‎ßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Aktivtität dieser Einrichtung zu treffen. Dragnea erklärte sich unzufrieden mit dem Eintreiben der Steuern und Gebühren in Rumänien.



    Das Förderprogramm Start-up Nation ist ein Erfolg



    Das Förderprogramm Start-up Nation, wodurch Unternehmer eine finanzielle Hilfe von 200.000 Lei vom rumänischen Staat erhalten, ist ein Erfolg. Das Buget, das dieses Jahr den Interessenten zur Verfügung steht beläuft sich auf 1,7 Milliarden Lei. Man hat sich dabei mit über 19.000 Geschäftsplänen beworben, doppelt so viel wie fianziert werden kann. Der Minister für das Geschäftsumfeld Ilan Laufer sagte nach Abschluss der Bewerbung, dass die Mehrheit der Antragsteller jünger als 35 Jahre sind. Er präzisierte, dass die Finanzierungsverträge für die genehmigten Geschäfte in höchstens zwei Wochen unterzeichnet werden sollen. Eine neue Sitzung des Programms steht für nächstes Jahr an.

  • La semaine du 17 au 22 juillet 2017

    La semaine du 17 au 22 juillet 2017

    Fin de l’exercice Saber Guardian 2017

    Point final pour Saber Guardian 17, le plus ample exercice multinational de l’OTAN jamais déroulé en Roumanie. Selon le ministère roumain de la Défense, ces manœuvres ont démontré la capacité de réaction des pays membres dans une situation de défense collective. Déroulé simultanément en Roumanie, Bulgarie et Hongrie, l’exercice a impliqué 25 mille militaires de 22 pays alliés ainsi que plus de trois mille moyens techniques divers, dont 90 avions de combat et de transport. L’exercice a visé la libération d’un territoire occupé par des forces hostiles. Saber Guardian 17 vient confirmer la solidarité des Etats membres de l’Alliance nord-atlantique ainsi que la solidité de la relation transatlantique, d’une part, et du partenariat stratégique entre la Roumanie et les Etats-Unis, de l’autre, a estimé la diplomatie roumaine. Washington et Bucarest marquent cette année le 20e anniversaire de la conclusion de ce partenariat. La Roumanie est un allié constant et de confiance, avait déclaré le président du Comité Militaire de l’OTAN, le général Petr Pavel. Il a apprécié la contribution de Bucarest au partage de la responsabilité au sein de l’Alliance, tant par l’allocation de 2% du PIB à la défense, que par sa participation aux opérations et missions militaires, la Roumanie figurant, par exemple, parmi les 10 principaux contributeurs à la mission en Afghanistan.

    Débat sur la décentralisation et l’autonomie sur des critères ethniques

    La croissance économique et la modernisation de l’administration sont vitales pour la Roumanie, la décentralisation administrative et l’autonomie locale étant indispensables, en ce sens, mais pas l’autonomie sur des critères ethniques, a précisé le président roumain, Klaus Iohannis. Il s’était rendu mardi dans les départements de Harghita et de Covasna, au centre du pays, des régions à population hongroise majoritaire. Klaus Iohannis a été formel :SON : «Je crois que la décentralisation est obligatoire, car ce sont les élus locaux qui connaissent le mieux les besoins d’une collectivité ; c’est pour cela qu’ils doivent avoir les moyens nécessaires pour agir dans l’intérêt local. La régionalisation est à souhaiter, mais seulement si elle s’accompagne de la modernisation de l’administration, dans l’intérêt des citoyens, et si elle entraîne la création d’emplois à travers la croissance économique. L’autonomie locale et régionale est une aide, mais l’autonomie sur des critères ethniques n’est pas souhaitable, car elle bloquerait le développement. » Le président a appelé à une meilleure collaboration entre Roumains et Hongrois de cette région. Il s’est dit, en ce sens, préoccupé par le sort des jeunes habitants de ces contrées qui se voient privés des opportunités du marché de l’emploi en raison du fait qu’ils parlent mal le roumain. Et le chef de l’Etat de souligner que l’intolérance ethnique, soit-elle manifestée par la population majoritaire ou minoritaire, entraîne le blocage du pays dans son ensemble. Le président Klaus Iohannis a par ailleurs affirmé que, malgré leur potentiel économique important, notamment en matière de tourisme, les comptés de Harghita et de Covasna peinent à attirer des investissements. La communauté magyare de Roumanie, qui vit principalement en Transylvanie, compte environ un million et demi de personnes. Depuis 1990, elle est représentée par l’Union démocrate magyare de Roumanie, formation politique parlementaire qui a fait partie de plusieurs coalitions au pouvoir.

    Campagne d’information sur la vaccination

    La Roumanie se confronte à la plus importante épidémie de rougeole des dernières années. Depuis son déclenchement en septembre dernier, celle-ci a fait 31 morts et infecté environ 8000 personnes. C’est pourquoi, une campagne publique tente de convaincre les familles à faire vacciner leurs enfants. Le taux de vaccination des enfants recule constamment depuis quelques années. Selon le ministre de la santé, Florian Bodog, le refus des parents d’immuniser leurs enfants aurait à l’origine des craintes liées notamment aux éventuels effets secondaires des vaccins, craintes alimentées par la multiplication de fausses informations véhiculées sur Internet. Un projet de loi de la vaccination sera présenté prochainement par le gouvernement pour être débattu au Parlement, a encore précisé le ministre. Aux termes de celle-ci, les parents auront le droit de refuser de faire vacciner leurs enfants, mais ils assumeront toute la responsabilité des suites de ce choix. Le projet législatif prévoit aussi des sanctions contre tous les responsables impliqués dans la chaine d’approvisionnement en sérums, médecins traitants compris. Radio Roumanie appuie les efforts des autorités, consacrant d’amples espaces aux informations et aux débats sur ce sujet, alors que 180 mille enfants n’ont pas été vaccinés, à ce jour, contre la rougeole.

    Nouvelle direction pour l’Agence roumaine d’administration fiscale

    Mirela Calugareanu est la nouvelle présidente de l’Agence nationale d’administration fiscale, soit le Fisc roumain. Ancienne directrice des impôts au sein de la Direction générale des finances publiques de Bucarest, elle remplace à ce poste Bogdan-Nicolae Stan, qui a été destitué mardi par le premier ministre social-démocrate Mihai Tudose. Celui-ci avait critiqué l’activité du Fisc et son manque d’efficacité dans la collecte des revenus de l’Etat. Mirela Calugareanu, qui n’est membre d’aucune formation politique, a 26 ans d’expérience dans l’administration publique ainsi que dans la gestion des taxes et des impôts.

    Le succès de Start Up Nation

    La semaine se termine sur le succès du programme Start Up Nation, à travers lequel l’Etat roumain octroie une aide de près de 45 mille euros aux entrepreneurs locaux. Une vingtaine de milliers de personnes sont en compétition pour décrocher ces subventions, soit le double du nombre maximal d’entrepreneurs qui pourront être supportés par le budget total de Start Up Nation, chiffré à près de 380 millions d’euros. La plupart des entrepreneurs en lice sont âgés de moins de 35 ans, s’est félicité le ministre pour le Milieu des affaires, Ilan Laufer. Selon lui, l’examen des propositions sera rapide, les accords de subvention devant être signés dans les deux prochaines semaines. Un nouvel appel à candidatures sera organisé l’année prochaine.

  • July 15-21

    July 15-21

    Saber Guardian 2017 draws to a close


    Saber Guardian 2017, one of the largest and most complex NATO exercises ever hosted by Romania has come to an end, Romanian Defense Ministry announced on Friday. The military exercise contributed to the consolidation of defence and deterrence on the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance and the development of interoperability between the participating countries. Around 20 NATO member and partner states took part in the military exercise with a significant number of troops and technical resources. Previously, the Romanian Foreign Ministry said that the exercise also represents a confirmation of the solidity of the Trans-Atlantic relationship and of the bilateral strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, which was signed 20 years ago. Taking part in one of the stages of the exercise, the Czech General Petr Pavel, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said that Romania is a consistent and trustworthy partner. He hailed Romanias contribution to NATOs operations, saying this country is one of top ten contributors to the Afghanistan mission.



    President Iohannis favors autonomy, regionalization and descentralization, but not on ethnic criteria


    Romania needs economic growth and modern administration, therefore it needs decentralisation, regionalization and local autonomy, but not based on ethnic criteria, said President Klaus Iohannis who visited the counties of Covasna and Harghita with a majority ethnic Hungarian population.


    Klaus Iohannis explained: “I believe that decentralization is a must, because local officials know best what their communities need and they must have the necessary tools in place to act for the benefit of those whom they represent. Regionalization can also be taken into consideration, but only if its aim is to render regional government more effective, which means that it serves the citizens and helps create new jobs as a result of economic growth. Local and regional autonomy can help, but autonomy based on ethnic criteria is not something that should happen, because this would hinder development.”


    The President said he is worried about the future of the young people in these counties, who do not speak Romanian and who thus have fewer opportunities on the labour market. President Klaus Iohannis said, that, too often realities in the two counties are interpreted so as to divide, highlight differences, not similarities, and promote hostility, intolerance and rejection towards people from different ethnic groups, be they majority or minority. These are sure ways to block not only the development of these communities, but also the country as a whole. According to the head of state, the counties of Covasna and Harghita benefit from a particularly rich tourist potential, on which local authorities should capitalize more. The Hungarian community in Romania numbers around 1.5 million people and has been represented in Romania’s parliament since 1990 by the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), that has been part of several coalition governments.



    Vaccination campaign at national level


    Romania is facing the biggest measles epidemics in recent years, with 8 thousand cases of infection reported and 31 deaths since its outbreak last September. Although vaccination remains the only protection against the disease, the immunization rate has dropped significantly in recent years.


    The present epidemic’s main cause remains the parents’ refusal to immunize their children. They fear the possible side effects vaccines could have on the little ones, fear that was fuelled by the erroneous information available on line and in other sources. The first measure meant to keep the epidemic at bay is a draft law to be submitted shortly to the government and subsequently sent for Parliament approval.


    Under the law, parents may choose not to vaccinate their children but are to assume responsibility for the consequences. The law also provides for sanctions against those involved in supplying and distributing the vaccines. n the spirit of its public mission, Radio Romania has joined the efforts of providing information on the benefits of vaccination and started its own campaign in this respect. Radio Romania has dedicated some of its slots to news, reports and special programmes aimed at raising people’s awareness of the dangers children are exposed to if they don’t get the vaccine; 180,000 children have not been immunized for measles.



    The National Agency for Fiscal Administration has a new management


    Romania’s National Agency for Fiscal Administration has a new management team. Mirela Calugareanu, who has been an executive director at the General Direction Collection of Public Finance Bucharest is the Agency’s new chief. The appointment takes place after PM Mihai Tudose dismissed the institution’s former chief, because of the poor collection level of taxes. Mirela Calugareanu is not a member of a political party and has been working in the field of tax collection and public administration for 26 years.



    Start Up Nation programme, a success


    The Start-up Nation Programme, under which entrepreneurs can receive 200,000 lei from the Romanian state to start a business is a success. This year’s budget for this programme is 1.7 billion lei. Over 19,000 business plans have been already submitted, but only half of them will be selected. Minister for the business environment Ilan Laufer said most applicants are aged below 35. He also said that the financing accords for the approved business plans will be signed in two weeks at the most and a new session of the programme will be scheduled for next year.




  • July 18, 2017

    July 18, 2017

    PRESIDENCY — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has today said he favors administrative decentralization but he opposes autonomy on ethnic criteria that would hinder development. During his visit to the counties of Harghita and Covasna, in central Romania, the only Romanian counties with a majority Hungarian population, President Iohannis has said he is concerned about the future of the young people there, who do not speak Romanian and who thus have fewer opportunities on the labor market. Iohannis has also said that intolerance and the rejection of people with a different ethnic origin, by either a minority or a majority group, trigger a blockage of the country as a whole. He has also said that, in spite of the fact that they have a tourist potential, the counties of Harghita and Covasna hardly attract any investors. The Hungarian community in Romania, made up of around 1.5 million members, is concentrated in Transylvania, in central Romania. This community has been represented in Romania’s Parliament uninterruptedly, since 1990, by the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) which has been part of many coalition governments in Bucharest.




    BRUSSELS – Four months after the European Commission presented its White Paper on the Future of Europe, the debate on the future of Europe is picking up speed with potentially over 30 million citizens reached so far, the European Commission has announced today. The Commission offered five scenarios for how the EU could develop in the next decade. A broad debate has since been taking place, supported by political institutions and by civil society at large. To date, over 270,000 citizens have attended over 1,750 events organised or supported by the Commission with many more participating online (see figures here). Citizens are invited to continue to express their views, notably prior to the annual State of the European Union speech on 13 September 2017, when President Juncker will outline his vision for the future of Europe.




    PROJECT – Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose has proposed his Bulgarian counterpart, Boiko Borisov to connect Bucharest to Sofia and Athens though a fast railway line. The two PMs have also discussed over the phone about speeding up projects for the construction of two new bridges over the Danube. Tudose and Borisov have agreed to hold a joint meeting of the Romanian and Bulgarian governments in September, when the details of a Romania, Bulgaria, Greece trilateral are to be set.




    EXERCISE — Saber Guardian 2017, one of the largest and most complex NATO exercises in recent years continues in Romania. From Cincu, in the centre, to Mihail Kogalniceanu, in the south-east, many military bases in Romania are playing host to the military exercise this month. The exercise involves more than 25,000 service members and 2,000 technical resources from over 20 allied states. The military will train in the fast movement of combat equipment, tanks and armoured vehicles backed by air forces, combat shooting, crossing water courses, medical evacuation and the treatment of the wounded.




    RATING – Fitch Ratings has improved Romania’s economic growth outlook for 2017 from 4.8% to 5.1%. The Agency forecasts that Romania’s budget deficit this year will reach 3.7% of the GDP, which is more than the Romanian government’s estimation of 2.9% of the GDP. The structural deficit is expected to reach 3.9% of the GDP, the current account deficit 3.1% of the GDP and the public debt 39.9% of the GDP, Fitch agency has also announced. The Romanian government’s projection for 2017 is 5.2% economic growth while the European Commission has put it at only 4.4%.


    (Translated by Elena Enache)


  • Saber Guardian 2017

    Saber Guardian 2017

    From Cincu, in
    the centre, to Mihail Kogalniceanu, in the south-east, many military bases in
    Romania are playing host this month to the Saber Guardian 2017 exercise. Hosted
    by other neighbouring countries as well and led by the US Army Europe, this is
    the largest and most complex exercise carried out on Romanian territory in
    recent years, as the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has pointed out.




    Around 20 NATO
    member and partner states are taking part with a significant number of troops
    and technical resources, which, according to the Romanian diplomacy, lends the
    exercise an important military role, contributing to the consolidation of
    defence and deterrence on the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance and
    the development of interoperability between the participating countries.




    The exercise
    also represents a confirmation of the solidity of the Trans-Atlantic
    relationship and of the bilateral strategic partnership between Romania and the
    United States, which was signed 20 years ago, the Foreign Ministry also notes. Lieutenant General Ben
    Hodges, the commander
    of U.S. Army Europe, also hailed the excellent bilateral military cooperation
    and the efforts made by Romania to modernise its army. Bucharest, which he
    described as a reliable partner, will this year allocate 2% of the GDP to
    defence, said the American army official, who praised the quality of the young
    Romanian military and their commanders and their commitment to contributing to
    the security of the Black Sea area.




    Romania is a consistent and
    trustworthy partner, the Czech general Petr Pavel, the Chairman of the NATO
    Military Committee, also said. He hailed Romania’s contribution to NATO’s
    operations, saying this country is one of top ten contributors to the
    Afghanistan mission. Coming from a central-European country occupied by the
    Soviets for half a century, general Pavel was keen to emphasise, for Radio
    Romania, that NATO’s actions to strengthen its eastern flank are not meant as a
    threat to Russia. He said the Alliance simply wishes to be ready at any time to
    counteract any potential act of aggression, while being always willing to
    engage in dialogue with Russia.




    Romania’s president Klaus
    Iohannis also attended a Saber Guardian exercise at the shooting range in
    Cincu, where the Romanian military trained alongside troops from the United
    States, Ukraine, Armenia and Croatia backed by American and Romanian aircraft.




    Although the opponent was
    unnamed, the exercise comes at a time when the West is concerned about a more
    aggressive Russia, notes the American magazine Stars and Stripes, which recalls
    that in the last three years, the US has led larger and more intensive
    operations meant to boost the ability of allies to fight together.

  • Saber Guardian 2017

    Saber Guardian 2017

    From Cincu, in
    the centre, to Mihail Kogalniceanu, in the south-east, many military bases in
    Romania are playing host this month to the Saber Guardian 2017 exercise. Hosted
    by other neighbouring countries as well and led by the US Army Europe, this is
    the largest and most complex exercise carried out on Romanian territory in
    recent years, as the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has pointed out.




    Around 20 NATO
    member and partner states are taking part with a significant number of troops
    and technical resources, which, according to the Romanian diplomacy, lends the
    exercise an important military role, contributing to the consolidation of
    defence and deterrence on the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance and
    the development of interoperability between the participating countries.




    The exercise
    also represents a confirmation of the solidity of the Trans-Atlantic
    relationship and of the bilateral strategic partnership between Romania and the
    United States, which was signed 20 years ago, the Foreign Ministry also notes. Lieutenant General Ben
    Hodges, the commander
    of U.S. Army Europe, also hailed the excellent bilateral military cooperation
    and the efforts made by Romania to modernise its army. Bucharest, which he
    described as a reliable partner, will this year allocate 2% of the GDP to
    defence, said the American army official, who praised the quality of the young
    Romanian military and their commanders and their commitment to contributing to
    the security of the Black Sea area.




    Romania is a consistent and
    trustworthy partner, the Czech general Petr Pavel, the Chairman of the NATO
    Military Committee, also said. He hailed Romania’s contribution to NATO’s
    operations, saying this country is one of top ten contributors to the
    Afghanistan mission. Coming from a central-European country occupied by the
    Soviets for half a century, general Pavel was keen to emphasise, for Radio
    Romania, that NATO’s actions to strengthen its eastern flank are not meant as a
    threat to Russia. He said the Alliance simply wishes to be ready at any time to
    counteract any potential act of aggression, while being always willing to
    engage in dialogue with Russia.




    Romania’s president Klaus
    Iohannis also attended a Saber Guardian exercise at the shooting range in
    Cincu, where the Romanian military trained alongside troops from the United
    States, Ukraine, Armenia and Croatia backed by American and Romanian aircraft.




    Although the opponent was
    unnamed, the exercise comes at a time when the West is concerned about a more
    aggressive Russia, notes the American magazine Stars and Stripes, which recalls
    that in the last three years, the US has led larger and more intensive
    operations meant to boost the ability of allies to fight together.

  • July 9 – 14

    July 9 – 14


    Romanias new prime minister, the Social Democrat Mihai Tudose traveled to Brussels this week on his first foreign trip



    He gave assurances that Romania remains a reliable partner that will rigorously fulfill its commitments. He met the presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker respectively, the head of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and the Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu. The talks tackled a series of subjects, from the latest economic developments to Romanias Schengen accession, the state of the judiciary and the absorption of European funds. Regarding this latter subject, the prime minister said he was seeking better collaboration between his ministers and European officials:



    “All ministers involved in European projects are to travel to Brussels at least once a month to discuss with the Commissioners; there will be regular contacts with the Council and the Commission to make sure that what we do in Romania does not reach Brussels in a distorted way and that there are no major discrepancies between reality and perception.”



    Speaking about the economy, Tudose said Romanias budget deficit would not exceed 3% of the GDP and that his government was no longer planning to introduce the controversial turnover tax.



    Romanian military are taking part the Saber Guardian 17 multinational exercise



    Romanian military are taking part, until the end of next week, in the Saber Guardian 17 multinational exercise hosted by three allied states, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. The exercise involves more than 25,000 service members and 2,000 technical resources from over 20 allied states. The military will train in the fast movement of combat equipment, tanks and armoured vehicles backed by air forces, combat shooting, crossing water courses, medical evacuation and the treatment of the wounded. On Thursday, president Klaus Iohannis travelled to Mihail Kogalniceanu, in southeastern Romania, where a Saber Guardian exercise was taking place.



    The president said Romania requested an offer from the United States with regard to the acquisition of Patriot missile systems. Klaus Iohannis:


    “We have requested an offer from the American side and you probably heard that our request has been published on the State Departments website. The request is still to be approved and then negotiations will begin and when we have a clear result we will make it public.”



    The Patriot missile system is a surface-to-air advanced system that can be used in the event of an attack by aircraft and ballistic and cruise missiles.



    The Romanian Education reform is back in the spotlight



    The baccalaureate pass rate stands at 72.9% this year after the first session, up almost 5% compared with 2016, the education ministry has announced this week. At a debate held recently and attended by representatives of employers and the authorities, the idea was put forward that introducing a dual education system, which would allow graduates to enter the labour market while continuing their studies, is the number one factor that could support Romanias reindustrialisation. Participants said the elimination of vocational training was a mistake that needs to be corrected as soon as possible because the lack of skilled personnel is an obstacle to development. Parliament had passed a bill that changes the organisation and structure of dual education in Romania, but president Klaus Iohannis refused to sign it into law, sending it back to Parliament. Iohannis says that in its current version, the bill would have negative effects on the quality of the education process. His decision was welcomed by the main opposition party, the National Liberal Party, which called on all parliamentary parties to re-examine the bill as soon as possible.



    Romania is facing the biggest measles epidemic in recent history



    Since September last year, when the epidemic broke out, 31 persons have died and 7,500 have become sick. The immunization rate has dropped significantly, mainly because parents refuse to vaccinate their children. In a government meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said 180,000 children have not received vaccination against measles. He called on the healthcare minister Florian Bodog to come up with a wide-scale information campaign:


    “By next week at the latest, Im expecting you to put together, jointly with the media and any other means of communication, a campaign that would make it clear for all Romanians that they need to have their children vaccinated. The situation is unacceptable! I understand that while the vaccines are available, they havent reached the beneficiaries.”



    The World Health Organisation has described the measles outbreak, which has caused 35 deaths in Europe, mostly in Romania, an “unacceptable tragedy”.



    The first edition of the NeverSea Festival was held at the weekend on the beach of Constanta



    For three days, some 150,000 people danced to the electronic music tunes in what organizers termed a success. It was the largest such festival held on a beach in Romania, and the only one of its kind in Europe. Some 150 international artists electrified the audience, putting on a memorable show with amazing choreographies on the seven stages of the festival. NeverSea put Constanta on the map of top-level music events, alongside the Untold festival, which turned Cluj-Napoca in northwestern Romania into a favourite destination for music fans in summertime. Organized by the same team behind NeverSea, this year Untold will reach its 3rd edition, running from August 3 through 6.




  • July 14, 2017

    July 14, 2017

    SABER GUARDIAN — The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the 2017 Saber Guardian multinational military exercise, held on Romania’s territory by the United States Ground and Service Forces Europe. According to a Ministry press release, the exercise brings together over 20 NATO and partner states, with a significant number of troops and technical equipment, being the largest and most comprehensive military drill hosted by Romania in recent years. Saber Guardian is a key military exercise, contributing to consolidating defense and deterrence capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank and to developing interoperability between participant countries. The exercise is also a sign of solidarity, highlighting the robust trans-Atlantic relation and the bilateral strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, signed 20 years ago.



    JULY 14 — The National Day of France is today marked at the French Embassy in Bucharest. The theme at this year’s cocktail party is sports, with famous Romanian and French athletes among the guests of honor. Attending the event will be Prime Minister Mihai Tudose. Last week former Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu met in Paris with his counterpart, Edouard Philippe. It was the first official meeting for Philippe after taking over as Prime Minister in May. Romania currently has a strategic bilateral partnership with France, signed in 2008.



    ROMANIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS — Romania plays a key role in Central and Eastern Europe, promoting fundamental European values, French Ambassador to Bucharest Michele Ramis said. In an interview to RFI, Ramis said she wants to strengthen bilateral economic relations, which are good right now against the backdrop of economic growth in Romania. On the other hand, France will support Romania in preparing its term at the helm of the European Council in the first semester of 2019, Michele Ramis said.



    WORLD EXHIBITION — Romania’s pavilion at the World Exhibition hosted by Astana, Kazakhstan, has a daily average number of 1,500 visitors, Mihail Dediu, the head of the Romanian delegation told Radio Romania. The theme this year is the energy of tomorrow. Romania’s pavilion is devoted to the high-power laser in Magurele, southern Romania, the largest research project in Romania in the last 50 years. Romania thus wants to promote Romania’s potential for innovation in the field of research, Mihail Dediu said.



    CLIMATE CHANGE — Climate change will prompt a swift temperature spike, intensifying extreme meteorological phenomena and heavy downpours, causing crop failures and coral loss in the Asia-Pacific area, climatologists have warned. These developments are the result of the failure to observe the Paris Accord on Climate Change. Signed in 2015 and enacted in November 2016, the agreement provides for keeping a global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius as compared to pre-industrial levels. To reach this target, swifter and harsher measures are needed, climate experts argue. If the world’s population keeps emitting greenhouse gases fueling global warming, the average global temperature will rise by at least 4 degrees by the end of the century, and even by 6 degrees Celsius in some regions.



    WIMBLEDON — The pair made up of Monica Niculescu of Romania and Hao-Ching Chan of Taiwan is today playing Markota Ninomiya of Japan and Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic in the women’s doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon. Niculescu and Chan previously knocked out Catherine Bellis of the United States and Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic. This is Niculescu’s best performance in a Grand Slam doubles competition, after reaching the Roland Garros quarterfinals in 2010 and the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2012. The best-rated player from Romania right now, Simona Halep, WTA no. 2, was knocked out in the quarterfinals after losing to Johanna Konta of Great Britain.



    FOOTBALL — Romanian football club Astra Giurgiu defeated 3-1 Zira FK of Azerbaijan in the first leg of the Europa League second preliminary round. The return leg will be played on July 20 in Baku. The other teams representing Romania in Europa League are Dinamo Bucharest and CSU Craiova. Playing in the Champions League preliminaries will be Viitorul Constanta and FCSB. (Translated by V. Palcu)