Radio România Internațional

Tag: South Korea

December 14, 2024

NEGOTIATIONS In Bucharest, negotiations on a future coalition of the pro-European parties in Parliament have made progress with respect to the structure of the new government. The Social Democratic Party will control 7 ministries, the National Liberal Party 4, Save Romania Union 3, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania 2, said the Social Democrats’ senior vice-president Sorin Grindeanu. It has not yet been decided which ministries will go to each party and the names of the new ministers. On the other hand, the Social Democrats and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians plead for a single presidential candidate of the coalition. After the Constitutional Court cancelled the election for president, the future executive will have to decide by the end of the year on a new presidential election calendar, the UDMR believes. The pro-European parties elected in Parliament hope to come up with a cabinet by Christmas.

EU FUNDING Romania has collected EUR 1.9 billion in EU structural and cohesion funds in 2021-2027, and the overall absorption rate, 6.11%, is close to the EU average of 6.19%, the minister of investments and European projects, Adrian Câciu announced. The absorption rate for the structural and cohesion funds under centrally managed programmes is higher, namely 7.3%, Caciu said in a Facebook post. He emphasised that Romania is yet to catch up on Regional Programmes, where the absorption rate is 3.2%, but he voiced confidence that the example set by the current coalition comprising the Social Democrats and the Liberals in terms of management and implementation of European funds, including decentralisation, will be followed by the new government, and the pace of EU fund absorption will be sustained, so as to replicate the success of the 2014-2020 period.

ECONOMY Romania’s trade deficit was EUR 5.5 billion higher in the first 10 months of the year than in the same period in 2023, according to data made public by the National Bank. More than half of this deficit is the result of growing imports of goods. The central bank also says that the total foreign debt went up over EUR 18 billion and exceeded EUR 186 billion. According to analysts, along with the very high budget deficit, these are the main problems of the Romanian economy, and they must be solved concurrently, which is very difficult. They believe that through a correct budget adjustment, expenses would be cut, and revenues could be raised by eliminating corruption and through a fair tax system.

ANNIVERSARY Timişoara marks 35 years since the anti-communist Revolution of December 1989, which broke out in this city in western Romania. Under the motto “35 years of freedom”, events dedicated to the 1989 heroes and celebrating the three and a half decades since Timişoara became the first city free from communism in Romania will take place between December 15 and 20. The agenda includes, as every year, religious services, wreath-laying, exhibitions and film screenings. A concert entitled Requiem in Memoriam is scheduled on Sunday at the Banat Philharmonic, Monday will see the inauguration of the Freedom Portal, a light installation that reproduces sounds from the Revolution, followed by the traditional march “Heroes Never Die”. Tuesday will be a day of mourning, and the events on December 20 will end with a concert called “Rock for revolution”.

IMPEACHMENT South Korea’s prime minister Han Duck-soo Saturday vowed to ensure a stable government after the National Assembly voted to impeach president Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed attempt to introduce martial law on December 3, AFP reports. Tens of thousands of protesters cheered outside the National Assembly building as the vote was announced. Citing difficulties in passing his budget, Yoon Suk-yeol stunned the country by imposing martial law overnight, but was forced to lift it 6 hours later under pressure from parliament and the street. Under investigation for mutiny, Yoon, 63, is banned from leaving the country, as are his former defence and interior ministers and the commander of the short-lived martial law. (AMP)

14 December 2024
April 24, 2024

Seoul – On the last day of the visit of Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, to South Korea, the official delegation visited, today, the Doosan Enerbility complex in Busan, a world leader in energy production. On Tuesday evening, the Romanian president participated in an exhibition of traditional Romanian art. During his visit to Seoul, Romania and South Korea decided to expand their bilateral cooperation, by signing a joint declaration on strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership and several cooperation agreements in the fields of defense, energy or emergency situations management.

Study – The number of Romanian children whose parents went to work abroad is five times higher than the official figures show, and the local authorities need more information about them, so as to be able to develop programs to help them. These are the main conclusions of a study carried out by the “Save the Children Romania” organization for the south-eastern region of the country, where 57,000 minors are in such a situation. The data also show that almost 14% of children in Romania had, in the last year, at least one parent who went to work abroad, and those left in the care of grandparents, relatives or, sometimes, left to fend for themselves run a higher risk of dropping out of school, are more prone to emotional trauma and more vulnerable to violence and bullying.

Cannes – Two Romanian films are in the official selection of the famous Cannes Film Festival in France: the feature film “Three kilometers to the end of the world”, the story of the complicated relationships between a teenager and his parents, directed by Emanuel Pârvu, and the documentary “Nasty”, about the life and career of the first world number one in men’s tennis, the Romanian Ilie Năstase, made by Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu and Tudor D. Popescu. “Nasty” will be presented in the Special Screenings section. The Cannes festival also invited in the competition an Iranian filmmaker who criticizes the fundamentalist regime in Tehran, Mohammad Rasoulof. A total of 22 films will compete in 2024 to win the Palme d’Or trophy. The 77^th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place between May 14-25.

Report – The US State Department published the annual report on human rights observance in Romania. The document shows that in 2023, human rights were affected by “serious government corruption” and the authorities sometimes did not do enough against officials who committed abuses. The report also shows that there is inefficiency and lack of accountability in relation to judicial oversight, and bribery was perceived to be common in the public sector. According to Washington, there are also problems in Romania regarding domestic violence and ethnic discrimination.

Fair – Today, the largest book fair in Transylvania – Gaudeamus, organized by Radio Romania, begins in Cluj-Napoca (north-west). The event reached its 23^rd edition. 16 pavilions host 60 stands of 85 publishing houses. The fair offers books, music and educational games. There are several thousand books in Romanian, in international languages and in the languages of the national minorities living in Romania. All in all, more than 40 launches and book presentations are scheduled, as well as meetings between writers and readers. The first launch is that of the volume “Naraton” by the late writer Cornel Udrea, one of the voices of the Cluj public radio, who passed away a few days ago.

Handball – The Romanian men’s handball champions, CS Dinamo Bucharest, defeated the Danish team Skjern Handbold, on Tuesday evening, at home, with the score 28-27, in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the EHF European League. More than 2,500 spectators were in the stands, and Dinamo’s coach, the famous Spanish technician Xavi Pascual, said he was delighted with the victory. The second leg takes place on April 30 in Denmark. The winning team advances to the European League Final Four in Hamburg, Germany.

Court – The Constitutional Court of Romania is going to debate, today, the notification submitted by Save Romania Union – USR and the opposition Force of the Right in relation to the law for amending and completing the ordinance on road transport. The opposition MPs criticize the law, on the grounds that it would once again postpone the real liberalization of the road transport of people, in order to defend what they call the interests of the politically protected mafia. Today’s agenda of the Constitutional Court also includes several notifications submitted by President Klaus Iohannis. (LS)

24 April 2024
April 22, 2024 UPDATE

VISIT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday started a three-day official visit to South Korea, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region which Romania has a strategic partnership with. Iohannis laid a wreath at the National Cemetery in Seoul. Political consultations will focus on issues related to the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership, political-diplomatic and defense cooperation, the main regional and global challenges and boosting trade and investments in various sectors. Among them are green and nuclear energy, new technologies, IT&C, environment and climate change management, infrastructure, health and education. The meeting will also emphasize the special inter-cultural exchanges, which have been consolidated in recent years. The Romanian president’s visit to South Korea is the first in 16 years.

MISSIONS – Parliament on Monday greenlit the participation of Romanian military in demining naval missions in the Black Sea following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in response to the Romanian president’s request. Romania will deploy general staff and a military vessel with an 85-strong crew. Parliament also approved the participation of the Romanian Army in the EU maritime security mission in the Red Sea. 3 Romanian servicemen will join the Prosperity Guardian mission led by US in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the territory of Bahrain.

AIRCRAFT – Three F-16 aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway, landed on Friday at the “General Emanoil Ionescu” 71^st Air Base in Câmpia Turzii (center). It is the second series of three such aircraft bought by Romania from the Norway, the first being received last November. According to the Defense Ministry, through the 32 multirole F-16 aircraft that will endow two more squadrons of the Air Forces by the end of next year, Romania is strengthening its air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region.

SERVICEMEN – The Romanian army faces a shortage of professional servicemen. The first conscription campaign held over February-April, over 6,400 people applied for the 5,100 vacancies, 24% failed the fitness test, 18% the psychological test and 12% the medical test. The total number of candidates who passed was 2,626. The Romanian Defense Ministry says the level of difficulty for the fitness test is average, allowing people aged 18-45 with normal fitness development to pass it without major difficulties.

EP – The European Parliament convenes in a new plenary sitting in Strasbourg, as of today until Thursday. The meeting’s agenda includes topics such as violence against women, the revision of the EU’s Agricultural Policy and combating money laundering. Iran’s attack on Israel, the ban on the EU market for products manufactured through forced labor, the effects of the so-called Russian interference in the European Parliament, the assessment of the results of the Russian elections and the situation of the state of law in Hungary will also be discussed. The plenary sitting this week is the last one of the current European Parliament makeup, before the European elections on June 9. (EE & VP)

23 April 2024
April 19, 2024 UPDATE

Visit – Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, will pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea from April 22-24, at the invitation of his counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol. The Republic of Korea is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region with which, in 2008, Romania raised relations to the level of Strategic Partnership. On the occasion of the upcoming visit by President Iohannis to Seoul, this Partnership will be consolidated through a document that will establish the directions of cooperation in the next 10 years. Relevant documents will be signed regarding defense, nuclear energy, investments and foreign trade, cooperation in emergency situations and disaster management, cooperation in the fields of culture, mass media, youth and sports. In the Republic of Korea, Romania’s President will also have meetings with representatives of the Romanian community and the business environment and will visit an exhibition of traditional Romanian art.

Brussels – Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, participated, on Wednesday and Thursday, in Brussels, in the extraordinary meeting of the European Council. The talks focused, among other things, on the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the EU-Turkey relations and the new European pact for the single market competitiveness. According to a Romanian presidency communiqué, Klaus Iohannis reiterated that Ukraine, along with the Republic of Moldova, remain issues of absolute priority and insisted on the need for a security approach that includes the entire Black Sea region. He also pleaded for the rapid advancement of the process of EU accession of the two states, within a predictable and sustained process. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the European leaders reiterated their solidarity with the Israeli people and called for the de-escalation of the situation in the region.

Abu Dhabi – The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, said in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, that the Romanian government wants to continue the partnerships it already has with companies from the Emirates. In this way, the Port of Constanţa is consolidating its strategic and logistic capacity in the run up to the recovery and reconstruction process of Ukraine, said the Romanian PM. Moreover, the Romanian Transport Minister, Sorin Grindeanu, announced that on May 15 the new terminal in the Port of Constanţa will be inaugurated, a joint project developed by the port company from Dubai and the Administration of the Port of Constanța, worth 82 million Euros. He pointed out that Romania was interested in attracting new financing to increase the port capacity in reducing ship unloading/loading times and smoothing the flow of ships in the port’s basins. The statements come in the context of the discussions that the Romanian delegation had on Friday with the management of the Dubai Ports company, at the end of the visit to the Middle East.

Attack – Friday’s attack near the city of Isfahan in Iran, apparently carried out by drones and attributed to Israel, worries the international community, which asks both countries to stop the confrontation. In turn, Iran minimized the impact of the explosions, did not directly accuse Israel and promised not to respond militarily. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Iranian nuclear facilities in the Isfahan region suffered no damage and reiterated the call for restraint. “We must do everything possible for all parties to stop the escalation of the conflict in this region,” said, in turn, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. And the G7 group announced that it would carry out a diplomatic effort to ease tensions between Israel and Iran. Tehran launched a missile and drone attack against Israel last Saturday in retaliation for the bombing – attributed to Israel – of the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, which killed seven members of the Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Republic’s ideological army. Israel threatened with reprisals for this attack.

Handball – The Romanian national handball team was assigned to Group B, along with the teams of Montenegro, the Czech Republic and Serbia, at the European Women’s Handball Championship – EHF EURO 2024, following to the drawing of lots held on Thursday evening, in Vienna. Romania, which won the first group of the preliminaries with the maximum score, was part of the second most valuable urn, while Montenegro was top seed. The 16^th edition of the EHF EURO for women will take place between November 28 and December 15, in Austria, Hungary and Switzerland, with the participation of 24 teams, eight more than in the previous editions. Romania participated 14 times in the European Women’s Championship, obtaining only one medal, bronze, in 2010.

Planes – Three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway landed, on Friday, at the 71^st Air Base ‘General Emanoil Ionescu’ from Câmpia Turzii (central Romania), and are to be assigned to the 48^th Fighter Squadron. According to a defense ministry communiqué, the purchase of the new planes and the related package of goods and services will ensure the increase of Romania’s security by ensuring the defense of the national and NATO airspace, in peacetime and in crisis situations. “Through the gradual arrival, throughout this year and the next, of the 32 multi-role F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, which will provide two more squadrons of the Air Force, Romania is strengthening its air defense capabilities at a level adapted to security challenges from the region”, Minister Angel Tîlvăr said.

Ukraine – NATO member states agreed on Friday to provide Kyiv with additional air defense systems, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after a special meeting of allied defense ministers. ‘In addition to the Patriot, there are other weapons that allies can provide, including the French SAMP/T system, and many others that do not have systems available have pledged financial support to acquire them for Ukraine’ Jens Stoltenberg also said in Brussels. Also on Friday, the foreign ministers of the G7 states pledged to “strengthen the air defense means of Ukraine” against Russian attacks. In the final statement issued at the end of the three-day meeting on the Italian island of Capri, they say they are examining ‘all possible options’ to use frozen Russian assets to help Kyiv ahead of the G7 summit of heads of state and government, scheduled to take place in mid-June also in Italy. On Saturday, in Washington, the House of Representatives will vote on the 61 billion dollar package proposed by the Biden administration for Ukraine. (LS)

19 April 2024
January 31, 2023

BUDGET In 2022 Romania saw a budget deficit
of roughly EUR 16.5 bln, nearly 1% smaller than in the previous year. According
to the finance ministry, the deficit dropped from 6.73% to 5.68% of GDP. Revenues
amounted to approx.. EUR 94 bln, up 21% since 2021, fuelled by the VAT rise,
growing EU funding and revenues in the energy sector. Expenditure exceeded EUR
110 bln, down 0.8% since the previous year.

DIPLOMACY Lithuania firmly
supports Romania’s Schengen accession and
voices willingness to carry on an active dialogue with the other EU partners in
this respect, especially in today’s extremely difficult security context, the
Lithuanian foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis told his Romanian
counterpart, Bogdan Aurescu, in a telephone discussion. The talks were held as
Romania is set to resume this year its participation in the air policing
missions in the Baltic Sea region. The 2 officials praised the very good
bilateral relations and the efficient coordination as part of the EU, NATO and
regional projects such as the Three Seas Initiative and The Bucharest Nine.

CORRUPTION The former manager of Romania’s national football team, Victor Piţurcă, has
today left the Bucharest Police Detention Centre, where he was held for 24 hours by
anti-corruption prosecutors in an influence peddling investigation. According
to judicial sources, Victor Piţurcă was placed under court supervision, and prosecutors
also initiated criminal proceedings against his son, Alexandru. The case
concerns the procurement of non-compliant production lines and the sale of face
masks to the Defence Ministry during the Covid-19 pandemic.Gabriel
Ţuţu, the head of military producer and exporter Romarm, was also involved in
the operation.

GOVERNMENT The government of Romania is to pass today a
bill authorising 2 loans from the European Investment Bank. The nearly EUR 294
mln will be used for investments, upgrade and rehabilitation works in 26 hospitals in Romania. Another bill on today’s agenda
provides for up to 50% increases of the monthly allowances paid to the county
council chairpersons and deputies and to the mayors and deputy mayors of the
administrative units that implement projects financed from non-reimbursable EU
funds, foreign loans and under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. The
government is also to amend an order regulating energy subsidies and other
support measures for vulnerable citizens.

NATO NATO will continue to strengthen its partnership
with Japan amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens
Stoltenberg said on Tuesday during a visit to Japan, where he had a meeting
with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Jens Stoltenberg’s tour, which included a
stop in South Korea, is designed to strengthen ties with the Asian allies in
the context of the war in Ukraine and rising competition with China. In an
address in Seoul, the NATO official called on South Korea to increase its military
support to Ukraine.

KOREA Also in Seoul, the US defence secretary Lloyd
Austin and his South-Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-sup, promised to extend the
scope of the 2 countries’ joint military exercises, in a move by Washington to
reassure its Asian ally of its support amid growing threats from North Korea. Tensions
in the Korean Peninsula deepened in 2022, following North Korea’s frequent
military tests, including launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles. (AMP)

31 January 2023
The Week in Review 19-25.12.2022

The Romanian Revolution, 33 years ago

Ceremonies commemorating the heroes of the anti-communist Revolution of 1989 were organized, this week, in Romania. In the big cities, religious and wreath-laying ceremonies took place in the significant places for the historical moments that occurred 33 years ago. President Klaus Iohannis laid a wreath at the roadside monument in the University Square in the center of Bucharest, where he also observed a moment of silence. We remind you that the Romanian anti-communist Revolution started on December 16 in the city of Timisoara (west), to later extend to Bucharest and other cities. In the capital, the uprising that led to the fall of the communist regime broke out on December 21, with a large rally organized by Nicolae Ceauşescu, in the hope that he would be able to calm the population and remain at the helm of the country. After the failed rally, the revolt extended across Bucharest. Demonstrations against the regime took place, to which the law enforcement forces responded also by shooting at the demonstrators, killing around 50 people, injuring several dozen and arresting more than 1,000 people. Despite the reprisals, the demonstrations resumed on December 22, and the street pressure made the former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu flee in a helicopter from the roof of the former Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party. All in all, more than 1,000 people died and around 3,000 were injured in the fighting that took place in the only country in Eastern Europe where the regime change included a bloodshed.

Visit of the President of the European Parliament to Bucharest

‘There is no justifiable reason not to welcome Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area, because all the conditions for accession are met the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola said, on Monday, in Bucharest. In a press conference with President Klaus Iohannis, she also stated that efforts were being made for this situation to be solved as soon as possible, even next year. ‘The external border of the European Union is defended. We see that all countries, including Romania, apply all components of the Schengen acquis, which answers any concern that might exist from this point of view, the Brussels official added. In turn, the Romanian head of state stated that the Schengen topic would not be on the agenda of the extraordinary European Council due in February 2023, and the discussions were to take place only on the sidelines of the meeting. We remind you that, at the beginning of the month, Romania’s admission to Schengen was blocked by Austria in the Justice and Home Affairs Council, which invoked issues regarding illegal migration. Documents provided by Frontex – the European Border Police and Coast Guard Agency – contradict the Austrian Chancellor’s statements.

Romanian delegation in South Korea

A Romanian official delegation, which included several ministers, as well as the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, visited South Korea this week. Romania is interested in the development of major economic projects alongside the big Korean companies, in essential fields such as: transport, energy, defense, the IT industry, ITNs and semiconductors. Defense and energy industries dominated the talks with the South Korean officials, including the Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. They also approached such issues as how to manage the situation generated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, security in the region and cooperation between NATO and South Korea. The Romanian delegation also had a meeting with the representatives of the Romanian community, to whom the Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the way in which they managed to integrate into that society, keeping, at the same time, the identity, language, culture and values of their native country close to their hearts.

The Romanian FM Bogdan Aurescu pays visit to Chisinau

Romania will continue to support the neighboring Republic of Moldova (with a majority Romanian-speaking population) in order to successfully overcome the crises which it is facing, the Romanian FM Bogdan Aurescu reiterated, on Monday, in Chisinau. The Romanian official had meetings with the president Maia Sandu, the prime minister Natalia Gavrilița, with his counterpart Nicu Popescu and with the president of the Parliament, Igor Grosu. The two sides emphasized the importance of developing electricity interconnections between the two states, of streamlining cross-border traffic, including through the construction of bridges over the Prut River. They also discussed the implementation of the agreement regarding the non-refundable financial assistance worth 100 million Euros Bucharest offered to Chisinau, as well as about the operationalization of the support platform for the Republic of Moldova, initiated by Minister Aurescu with his German and French counterparts. The European path of the Republic of Moldova and Romania’s concrete support for achieving this goal, including through the opening of EU accession negotiations, were also on the agenda.

High-level Romanian-Portuguese talks

The presence of the Portuguese soldiers from the South-East Multinational Brigade in Caracal (south), together with soldiers from North Macedonia and other allies, has an important contribution to strengthening Romania’s defense and security, said President Klaus Iohannis on the occasion of his visit to the ‘Olt Training Battalion 1, in Caracal, on Tuesday, where he was accompanied by his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The high-level discussions focused on the security situation in Ukraine, with an emphasis on the intensification of humanitarian assistance to the neighboring country, as well as on support in facilitating grain exports. The two presidents also discussed the intensification of Romanian-Portuguese cooperation in the fields of defense, economy, trade, the digital agenda, renewable energy sources, health and education. (LS)

24 December 2022
March 28, 2020

Pandemic measures — The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has stated today that Romania is ready to cope with the pandemic after he visited the mobile military hospital set up near Bucharest. He underlined that after this crisis, which is going to last and get worse, the authorities will rigorously assess the situation of the entire hospital system in Romania and will take all the measures needed to equip hospitals so as to be able to face any situation, from epidemics to disasters. The president reiterated his appeal to the citizens to observe the measures adopted by the authorities. In another development, the plane of the Romanian Defense Ministry that made the 2nd transport of medical materials from South Korea has landed today in Bucharest. It brought 100 thousand pieces of protection equipment that was purchased by the Romanian state as part of the effort to combat the effects of the pandemic.

COVID-19 Romania — Latest figures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania show 1452 infected people and 29 deaths. 139 people have recovered and have been discharged from hospital. The National Public Health Institute has updated the COVID-19 testing algorithm. Therefore, tests will be made with priority on the people who travelled abroad, close contacts of the confirmed cases who show symptoms, the medical and sanitary staff and the cases of pneumonia without other etiology. All parks in Bucharest have been closed as of Saturday, in a move of the municipality to contain the spreading of the coronavirus pandemic. In Romania, which is in a state of emergency, traffic restrictions are imposed both during the day and night, with a few exceptions.

Repatriation — 365 Romanian citizens who were temporarily in Italy returned to Romania on Friday evening, the Romanian Foreign Ministry — MAE announced on Saturday. They were transported from Venice in two charter planes operated by a private airline. MAE and the Transport Ministry continue efforts to facilitate the return to Romania of non-resident Romanian citizens who are seasonal workers affected by the closing down of companies in Italy as well as of the Romanian citizens from Italy who are in special situations. Bucharest authorities have renewed appeals to the citizens to avoid trips abroad that are not essential and to the Romanian citizens residing or having their domicile abroad to strictly observe the recommendations of the authorities from those states.

COVID -19 world — Over 600 thousand cases of COVID-19 infection have so far been reported in the world, with the number of deaths exceeding 27 thousand. 133 thousand of the people diagnosed with the new coronavirus have been cured. The US is the only country of the world where the number of contaminations exceeded 100 thousand. The US is followed by Italy with almost 90 thousand cases and more than 9 thousand deaths, the most numerous at global level. Other European states that have been severely affected by the new virus are Spain, Germany, France, Great Britain and Switzerland.

Daylight Saving Time – Romania will switch to summer time on Saturday night. 3.00 hours local time will become 4.00 hours and Sunday will be the year’s shortest day. During the daylight saving time period, the difference between Romania’s official time and GMT is 3 hours, as compared to 2 hours at present. Switching to winter time will take place in the last weekend of October 2020 when clocks will be set back one hour. The European Commission has proposed giving up the daylight saving time in Europe, allowing member states the freedom to decide on their own if they want to continue switching to summer or winter time. The states that decide to permanently maintain the summer time will make the last switch in the last Sunday of March 2021, and those that prefer sticking to the winter time (the standard time) will make the final switch on the last Sunday of October 2021. (translation by L. Simion)

28 March 2020
November 23, 2018

BREXIT– Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will attend on Sunday a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels. EU leaders are meeting to endorse the Brexit withdrawal agreement . The summit was called by President Donald Tusk on 15 November 2018, after his meeting with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who presented to him the draft text as agreed with the UK at the level of the negotiators. Leaders are also expected to approve a political declaration on future EU-UK relations that will accompany and be referred to in the withdrawal agreement. The Commission intends to agree with the UK a final draft for this declaration, building on the outline agreed by the negotiators on both sides.

BUDGET REVISION — The second budget adjustment for 2018 is being discussed in today’s government meeting, Romanian PM Viorica Dancila has announced. She has also said that the budget adjustment is a positive one, and is aimed at maintaining the budget deficit target of 2.97% of the GDP, ensuring the necessary funds for the implementation of the government policies and programmes and for the well-functioning of the public institutions. The finance ministry, the labour ministry and the healthcare ministry will receive the biggest amount of additional funds. The justice, internal affairs and development ministries will also receive more money, as will the health insurance fund, the state social securities fund and the unemployment fund. The ministries of transport, research and innovation, culture, education, communication and information society, European funds, waters and forests, the environment and agriculture will receive less money.

HEALTH REPORT – The European Commission’s Health at a Glance: Europe report has been made public this month. Developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in cooperation with the European Commission, this publication provides analysis of the state of health of EU citizens and the performance of EU health systems. In addition to chapters containing statistical indicators for 35 European countries, the 2018 report includes two cross-cutting chapters on EU political priorities: promoting mental health and reducing inefficient spending. According to the report, Romanians’ life expectancy rate is among the lowest in the EU, with cardiovascular diseases and cancer as the main cause, while infectious diseases, TB in particular, are major health risks. The report also says that Romania has the lowest expenditure among all EU’s health systems, while the amounts that patients spend are very high as compared with the average spending in the community area. The insufficient staff, especially in the underproviledged areas, the underdevelopment of infrastructure are also problems of the Romanian health system. The report also says that the authorities have taken a series of measures to improve the situation.

VISIT — Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu travelled to Seoul on Friday for a three-day official visit that marks 10 years since the signing of the strategic partnership between Romania and South Korea. On this occasion, the South Korean Foreign Minister, Kang Kyung-wha, has called on Romania to play a key role in supporting the peace process in the Korean peninsula, especially next year, when Bucharest takes over the EU Council presidency. In turn, Teodor Melescanu said that Romania hopes to find ways of supporting the continuation of the peace process in the area, at a time when South Korea’s efforts focus on the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

RadiRo – The 4th edition of the International Radio Orchestras Festival — RadiRo, organized by Radio Romania, continues on Friday with another concert by the BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Ben Gernon. Also on Friday, Marilyn Mazur & The Danish Radio Big Band are giving a concert under the baton of Miho Hazama. RadiRo is the only event devoted to European and world radio orchestras. All concerts are broadcast live by Radio Romania’s channels, recorded and subsequently rebroadcast by the public television. The concerts are also rebroadcast by the radiobroadcasters that are members of the European Broadcasting Union.

NATIONAL DAY – Around 4,000 military and experts from the defence ministry, the interior ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service and the National Prisons Administration, and over 200 pieces of equipment and 50 planes, as well as military from a number of allied and partner countries will take part in a military parade on the 1st of December in Bucharest on Romanias national day. The approximately 500 foreign troops taking part will come from Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the Republic of Moldova, Slovakia, the US, Turkey and Ukraine. The Romanian military in foreign missions and theatres of operation will also be holding special military ceremonies and activities to celebrate the national day.

(Translated by Elena Enache)

23 November 2018
October 11, 2018 UPDATE

SOUTH KOREA – Romanias President Klaus Iohannis said in Bucharest on Thursday that Romania will further pay special heed to strengthening the EU-South Korea Strategic Partnership. He made the statement during the talks he had in Bucharest with the Chairman of the National Assembly in Seoul, Moon Hee-sang. On that occasion, the president underlined the special relations between the two countries, given that South Korea is the first Asian country that Romania established a Strategic Partnership with, 10 years ago. President Iohannis also encouraged all efforts to capitalise on the economic cooperation potential, also by attracting new South-Korean investments on the Romanian market. In turn, the Seoul official said Romania is currently one of his countrys most important strategic partners in South-Eastern Europe.

TRANSDNIESTER – Romania supports a thorough, peaceful and sustainable settlement of the Transdniester conflict, with the observance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet state with a predominantly Romanian speaking population, Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Melescanu said on Thursday. He met in Bucharest with Franco Frattini, Special Representative of the Italian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniester Settlement Process and the new head of the OSCE Mission in the Republic of Moldova, Klaus Neuekirch. Teodor Melescanu underlined, among others, that Romania will further pay special attention to monitoring the implementation of and compliance with the commitments made with regard to the situation of schools with Latin script teaching in the separatist region. Transdniester de facto got out from under the control of the central authorities in Chisinau in 1992, following an armed conflict which left hundreds of dead, and which ended with the intervention of the Russian army on the separatists side.

TRANSPORTS – The Federation of Romanian carriers, FORT, has announced the resumption of transport activities across the country, after the relevant committee with the Chamber of Deputies announced it would organise a debate demanded by the protesters. Intercity passenger transport was severely disrupted in almost half of Romanias counties, where carriers protested the line ministrys plans to change the rules for the award of licenses. The protest was organised after the Transport Ministry announced it would change the scoring system for the companies taking part in bids for transport routes, on grounds that the current system has led to a monopoly in the market.

JUDICIARY – The Public Ministry has all the resources required in order to make the Section investigating magistrate offences operational, the Prosecutor General Augustin Lazăr has announced. The statement comes after the Government passed an order on Wednesday regarding the establishment of that section, which is to take over all pending and finalised cases from the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, as of October 23. Augustin Lazăr said the act has already been made public in the Official Journal. Under the law, the new Section is to start working within six months after the law has taken effect, and the Higher Council of Magistrates is yet to initiate the procedures for making it operational. The new unit will be made up of 15 prosecutors, and its chiefs will be appointed further to a selection process run by a commission of 3 judges and a prosecutor from the Higher Council of Magistrates.

PENSIONS – In Romania, a new Pension Bill is to be sent to Parliament, after having been passed by the Government. The Labour Minister Olguta Vasilescu says no pension will be reduced under the new law, nor will the standard retirement age and contribution period be amended. Novelties include the introduction of masters degree and doctoral degree studies as corresponding to pension fund contribution periods. The new law is to come into force in several stages until 2021, when it has taken full effect. Its provisions will regulate the benefits paid to over 5 million Romanian pensioners.

CLARIFICATIONS – The Craiova University has not signed and does not intend to sign any Memorandum with the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the higher education institution in south-eastern Romania announced on Thursday. The University makes clear that it hasnt received any cooperation request from and does not cooperate with the Russian Foreign Ministry or other institutions from Russia, other than universities. The reaction comes after the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zaharova, quoted by TASS news agency, announced plans to set up a Russian-Romanian commission for public diplomacy and cultural-scientific dialogue. The setting up of the commission is reportedly stipulated in an alleged memorandum that the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the University of Craiova intend to sign to mark 140 years since the inception of diplomatic relations between Russia and Romania, TASS quotes Zaharova, as saying. (Translated by AM Popescu and D. Vijeu)

11 October 2018
March 29, 2018

WEATHER Weather is getting slightly warmer across Romania, so much so that temperature readings are getting closer to the season’s values for the most part of the country, save for the northwest and the far western part of the territory, where the skies are overcast and rainfalls have been reported, while temperature readings stand at unseasonably cold values for this time of the year. Sleet and snowfalls have been reported for high-altitude regions. The wind blows slightly to moderately, temporarily intensifying in the mountain regions, in the northwest and center, while fog has been forecast for the lower areas in the south and east. The highs of the day range from nine to seventeen degrees Celsius. The noon reading in Bucharest stood at 9 degrees Celsius. Hydrologists have renewed their code yellow and orange alerts for flooding, in place until Friday afternoon, for 12 rivers in the south, southwest, center and northeast. In the wake of the heavy rainfalls in the past days, some of the segments of the Danube have been placed under the incidence of a series of code yellow and orange alerts for flooding, in place until the beginning of April.

KOREA South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in is to meet north-Korean leader Kim Jong-un on April 27th. The meeting was announced after officials from South and North Korea had held talks in the border village of Panmunjom. Kim Jong-un has reiterated his pledge to scrap his country’s nuclear programme during a surprising visit that he paid to China this week. South-Korean government has said this is going to be the most important topic of discussion because there is concern the north-Korean leader is not ready to give up his arsenal so easily. The meeting will try to pave the way for the possible meeting between US president Donald Trump and the north-Korean leader.

ORDINANCE The government in Bucharest is today tackling an emergency ordinance, which brings fresh amendments to the Fiscal Code. One of these amendments is allowing companies to choose between the profit tax and turnover if they are under the one million euros threshold. According to Public Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici, another amendment deals with reimbursing the environment tax for applicants who can produce their personal numeric code. The amendments also include a decision to raise from 2% to 3.5% the income tax share for natural persons, which could be earmarked for the NGOs.

PROTESTS Trade unions from Romania’s healthcare system on Thursday picketed the Labour Ministry in Bucharest. The protest today comes after the similar actions medical personnel mounted in front of the field ministry on Tuesday. The protesters have called for pay rises beginning March 1st for the entire medical and social assistance employees. They have also asked the authorities to stop keeping the bonus ceiling at 30% at the same time allowing the employees to offset the losses they suffered after new payment regulations had come into effect on January 1st. According to Health Minister Sorina Pintea, the executive’s agenda today also includes bonus regulations for the medical personnel. The minister has explained the personnel will benefit from bonuses according to their skill levels. Against the background of severely underfunded medical services, Romania has for years seen a massive exodus of doctors and nurses who left for better jobs abroad.

BNR Romania’s Central bank had to raise the reference interest rate twice due to accelerated inflation rate with major effects over the economic environment, Central Bank governor Mugur Isarescu said on Thursday before the Senate’s economic committee. According to him, the current account deficit has increased more than in other countries in the region and the pressure on the national currency has been higher. Data released by the National Institute for Statistics show that the annual inflation rate showing the evolution of consumption prices in the past year reached 4.72% in February, a record high since 2013. At the same time the Central Bank has recently raised for the second time this year the reference interest rate from 2% to 2.25% a year.

translated by bill

29 March 2018
December 4, 2017

JUSTICE – The changes that Romania’s ruling coalition intends to operate in the judiciary will be discussed in Parliament starting this week. A first draft regulation, concerning the status of judges and prosecutors, is currently on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies, after having been approved by a special parliamentary committee. The bill stipulates that the head of state may no longer challenge judge and prosecutor appointments, makes prosecutors part of a hierarchy topped by the justice minister, and prohibits magistrates from working as covert intelligent service agents, by having them submit annual statements in this respect. The changes promoted by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, have again been contested in the street in Romania’s biggest cities.

TOUR – US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarks this week on a diplomatic mission to shore up alliances in Europe. His trip is structured around ministerial conferences of the NATO allies in Brussels and the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Vienna. Tillerson will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the OSCE talks late in the week. The American official assured his European allies that the US remains firmly committed to defending Europe’s security.

ORTHODOXY– Russian President Vladimir Putin is today meeting with the delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarch Daniel. They travelled to Moscow to attend festivities marking 100 years since the re-establishment of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Daniel met with head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kiril, and held the Devine Liturgy in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. It is first time when a Romanian Patriarch held a religious service here.

BREXIT — British Prime Minister Theresa May is today holding decisive talks in Brussels on Brexit negotiations. She will try to convince the Europeans that her promises are enough for them to agree to open negotiations on commercial topics that London has insistently asked for. Theresa May will meet with the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Junker and with the European Council President, Donald Tusk. Brexit has been scheduled for end-March 2019.

MILITARY DRILL – The air forces of the United States and South Korea are holding a joint drill as of today, deploying over 230 fighter jets among which six F-22 Raptor stealth fighters in the exercise. The drill called “Vigilant Ace” is held between december 4th and 8th. The Vigilant Ace drill is a biannual, bilateral training event held by the United States and South Korea to simulate wartime defenses. The exercise comes as North Korea continues to move forward with the development of its nuclear and missile program in defiance of international sanctions.

VISIT – Romanian Defence Minister Mihai Fifor continues his official visit to Belgrade. Today he will meet with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vulin. Talks will focus on regional security and on boosting bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. Chief of the Romanian Army’s General Staff, General Nicolae Ciuca, accompanies Minister Fifor in Belgrade.

HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s handball team will be up against Spain on Tuesday. On Sunday, the Romanians scored their second victory in Group A of the World Women’s Handball Championship hosted by Germany, by defeating Slovenia, 31 to 28. On Saturday, the Romanians defeated 29-17 the team of Paraguay in their debut match. Also on Tuesday, in Group A, Slovenia will be up against Angola and France against Paraguay. In the previous World Championship of 2015 Romania won the bronze medal, being the only team to have participated in all the 22 editions of the championship held so far.

(Translated by E. Enache)

4 December 2017
November 7, 2017 UPDATE

CETA – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Tuesday a decree for the submission to the Bucharest Parliament of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). According to the Presidency, the Agreement that stipulates the removal of most customs duties and allows Romanian citizens who hold a valid visa for the US or have been granted a visa for Canada in the last 10 years to travel visa-free to Canada, entered into force last year. CETA also stipulates that staring December 1st 2017 all Romanian citizens will be allowed to travel to Canada without a visa. On 21st of September this year CETA entered into force provisionally. National parliaments in EU countries will need to approve the agreement before it can take full effect.

MEETING – The Government will cover cuts in town halls budgets, Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said Tuesday during a meeting with representatives of the Association of Municipalities in Romania, on the fresh fiscal amendments planned by the executive. On Monday, Bucharest’s mayor, Gabriela Firea, said the measures would also lead to cuts in investment budgets in town halls all over the country. Also on Monday, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose explained that the new fiscal measures are meant to strengthen economic-financial discipline, step up efficiency in the anti-smuggling fight and improve the VAT collection.

PROTEST – Employees of Romania’s largest carmaker, Dacia, owned by French giant Renault, on Tuesday staged a protest rally against the government’s decision to transfer social insurance contributions from employers to employees. They also protest the delayed construction of the Pitesti Sibiu highway. The Government is to approve on Wednesday a series of fiscal measures such as the aforementioned transfer of the social insurance contribution from employer to employee, the payment by the employer of the so-called workmen’s compensation insurance, which should cover unemployment and medical leaves, as well as to bring income taxes down from 16% to 10%. These measures have been criticised by trade union confederations, the country’s president and the right-wing opposition.

VISIT – US president, Donald Trump on Tuesday travelled to South Korea, the second leg of his Asian tour and met with his counterpart Moon Jae-in. The two heads of state held a joint press conference after the meeting. Talking about North Korea, president Trump said the country is a worldwide threat that requires worldwide action. Also, Donald Trump said the United States stands prepared to defend itself and its allies using the full range of military capabilities if need be. On Monday, president Trump visited Japan and is to go to China on Wednesday. His tour, which is the biggest by an American president in the past 25 years, also includes Vietnam and the Philippines.

MOTION – The Liberal opposition in Bucharest on Tuesday tabled a motion against Energy Minister Toma Petcu. According to the National Liberal Party, the sector is facing many problems related to soaring energy prices, stored natural gas, insufficient infrastructure investment and undercapitalised state companies. According to the Liberals, all these problems have been caused by mismanagement and the Minister has to be sacked or step down.

FAIR – 50 businesses are representing Romania this year at the largest international travel fair underway in London. The Alba Iulia tourist destination in central Romania, the cultural circuits, spa and adventure tourism are all promoted during the fair. The theme of the Romanian stand illustrates the 100 years that have passed since the Great Union of 1918, which created the Romanian unitary state, when Bucharest gained authority over all the Romanian historical provinces. The Tourism Ministry is due to present the Centenary logo, a unique element of identification for all the events Romania is to stage next year.

(Translated by Elena Enache)

7 November 2017
March 7, 2016 UPDATE

The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, who is on a state visit to Israel, met on Monday in Jerusalem with his counterpart, Reuven Rivlin. Romania, the President said, pays special attention to its relations with Israel, and his visit is intended to honour the tradition of the 68 years of constant diplomatic ties and, more importantly, to pave the way for further bilateral cooperation. The President added that Romania intends to become a regional centre in fighting anti-Semitism and promoting Holocaust education. Also on Monday, Iohannis had talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu. On Tuesday, Iohannis will have a meeting with the president of the Israeli Parliament, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, and will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. From Jerusalem, Iohannis will travel to the Palestinian territories, for official talks with President Mahmoud Abbas.

Five thousand employees of Dacia, the largest carmaker in Romania, controlled by the French group Renault, took part in a protest on Monday in Mioveni, in the south of the country. People are primarily disgruntled with the delays in the building of the Pitesti-Sibiu motorway. This is a major route, because it reduces the way out of Romania for the vehicles intended for export. The Mioveni-based plant loses 30 euro/vehicle because of the infrastructure. The unionists also demand legislative measures to discourage the imports of second-hand cars, changes in the labour legislation and in healthcare laws.

The largest military exercises ever organized by South Korea began on Monday, against the backdrop of tensions with the communist regime in Pyongyang. Some 300,000 South-Korean troops and 15,000 American ones take part in the manoeuvres, which will end in late-April. The UN Security Council decided last week to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang, after its recent nuclear and ballistic tests. The draft resolution introduced by the USA was unanimously approved, including by North Koreas only ally, China.

7 March 2016