Radio România Internațional

Tag: summit

  • Summit for Europe

    Summit for Europe

    European leaders met in Brussels on Thursday for an emergency summit, where they agreed on an arms plan meant to bolster defenses on the eastern flank of the Baltic and Black Seas. With the United States withdrawing its support for Ukraine amid a European campaign to support that country and to counter Russia’s expansionist tendencies, the 27 leaders of the community bloc gave the green light to a European Commission plan to strengthen defense. European leaders reiterated their support for Ukraine in Brussels and for providing security guarantees, together with the United States, in the event of a ceasefire. This week, EC President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a plan called “ReArm Europe” that could mobilize close to 800 billion Euros, of which 150 billion in the form of loans, to strengthen the continent’s defense capabilities.

     

    Several options are mentioned, including the possibility that member states significantly increase their military spending, without this being taken into account in the calculation of their deficit, limited in principle to 3% of their gross domestic product. These funds must be used to invest jointly, between at least two member states, in areas where the needs are most urgent, such as air defense, missiles, drones and anti-drone systems or even artillery systems. The EC President Ursula von der Leyen assured that with this equipment member states will be able to massively strengthen their aid to Ukraine. The Baltic states, Poland and Romania have imposed their point of view for prioritizing the eastern flank within the framework of projects with European funding worth 150 billion Euros. The details of this plan will be finalized together with the NATO teams.

     

    Attending the summit in Brussels, Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan said: “Certainly, a good part of this equipment, of these investments will be located in this area, and the production part, the consortium part, will be distributed throughout the European Union. And I think this is an opportunity for our defense industry as well, for part of these products to be made in factories in Romania, thus creating jobs”.

     

    Bucharest will not send troops to Ukraine, but it could become a regional military center, for organization and support for troops sent by other states. Romania’s presence will be necessary to know whether there will be elements related to the use of our country’s infrastructure, military bases, for example, on Romanian territory or elements of other military infrastructure such as ports and airports, Ilie Bolojan also said. (LS)

  • Romania – Moldova summit meeting

    Romania – Moldova summit meeting

     

    Romania and the Republic of Moldova (a former Soviet republic, mostly Romanian-speaking) insist that no decision regarding peace in Ukraine and the future of the Ukrainian people can be made without Ukraine and without adequate security guarantees, the interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, said on Saturday, in a joint conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Maia Sandu.

     

    At the end of a meeting in Chișinău, he pointed out that ‘the way to achieving peace for Ukraine will decisively influence’ the common security of Romania and the neighbouring Republic of Moldova.

     

    Ilie Bolojan believes that extensive dialogue between Europe and the United States of America is ‘a very good condition’ for reaching a consensus on the war in Ukraine.

     

    As regards the talks between the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the US president Donald Trump, Ilie Bolojan voiced moderate optimism with respect to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, but said he hoped that ‘wisdom will prevail’. He explained that neighbouring Ukraine needs a lasting peace and warned about the danger posed by Russia’s aggression:

     

    Ilie Bolojan: “If Russia’s expansionist views remain a constant in the years to come, it means that we can imagine a new conflict starting over, and Ukraine may be only the first victim”.

     

    On the other hand, Ilie Bolojan promised that Romania will ask for more financial support, know-how and projects for Moldova at European level. Also, Bucharest will continue to cap prices for a large part of the electricity the neighbouring country buys from Romanian producers. According to him, the Romanian authorities ‘continue to work on strengthening the interconnection with the Republic of Moldova in the electricity sector’.

     

    In turn, president Maia Sandu said Romania is the “best friend” and “most important partner” of the Republic of Moldova, on which Chişinău has relied in all circumstances. Over the years, Bucharest has stood by Chişinău, “with concrete support, with projects that improve people’s lives, with a clear and firm voice in supporting our European path,” Maia Sandu added.

     

    “Romania is a reliable partner in our efforts to become a modern, European state. Beyond common projects, we are linked by a vision for the future, we are linked by the desire to live in peace, freedom, and democracy,” Maia Sandu also said. She also explained that the people of the Republic of Moldova will not forget the times when Moscow tried to erase their identity and kill their language and culture.

     

    Maia Sandu: “We will continue to protect free elections, fight electoral corruption in any form it may take, and defend the right of our citizens; people, the nation should decide what kind of life they want, not Moscow.”

     

    As for the war on the border, Chișinău supports Kyiv in its efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace. (AMP)

  • February 21, 2025 UPDATE

    February 21, 2025 UPDATE

    UKRAINE The interim president of Romania Ilie Bolojan takes part on Monday in an online summit on ‘Defence and Security Strategy of Unity. Action Plan’, organised in the neighbouring Russia-invaded Ukraine, the Romanian presidency announced. On Wednesday, Bolojan took part in a meeting on Ukraine and the security challenges in Europe in Paris. The interim president stated that participants in the meeting in Paris concluded that the best way to solve the crisis is collaboration between European countries and the United States of America, so that there is a ceasefire and a just peace, which cannot be achieved without the participation of Ukraine and the European Union in the negotiations.

     

    VISIT The Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that the talks held on Friday in Brussels with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, focused on Romania’s key priorities. Marcel Ciolacu mentioned stepping up the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, cutting down the budget deficit without increasing the VAT, and electoral security. “We also discussed a tax reform. The VAT is not being increased, nor will the flat tax rate be touched,” Mr. Ciolacu added. He mentioned that the talks also covered Europe’s role in the peace negotiations, emphasising that “Romania must be at the table. A strong European Union means a stronger Romania! Stronger together, the EU and Romania,” Marcel Ciolacu concluded.

     

    ELECTIONS The Romanian government has approved a budget of roughly EUR 240 million for the organisation of the presidential elections on May 4 and 18. The money comes from the budget reserve funds made available to the government and included in the 2025 state budget, reads a news release issued by the government. The presidential election will take place in May after a first round held in December was cancelled under a Constitutional Court ruling which mentioned interference in the election process.

     

    TALKS The president of France Emmanuel Macron will be in Washington on Monday to discuss with his US counterpart Donald Trump the Ukraine peace negotiations that the Americans have begun with the Russians in the absence of the Europeans and Ukrainians. Since the beginning of the week, the French president has been holding a marathon of consultations with leaders of European Union and NATO member countries. He launched these consultations in an attempt to make Europe’s voice heard, as Europe cannot be left aside after all its political and material involvement in supporting Ukraine over the past three years, since Russia launched a war of aggression against its neighbour.

     

    THEFT The Dutch police have announced they apprehended a 26 year-old man, who has become the fourth suspect in the theft of the Romanian ancient artefacts from the Drents Museum in Assen. According to police sources, the artefacts have not been recovered yet. On January 25, 4 extremely valuable golden items, part of Romania’s treasure on display at the Drents Museum, were stolen. The museum was hosting an exhibition entitled “Dacia, the Kingdom of gold and silver”, which was supposed to close a day before the robbery. (AMP)

  • December 19, 2024 UPDATE

    December 19, 2024 UPDATE

    TALKS The last thing Romania needs is a wide-scale governmental and Parliamentary crisis, the country’s president, Klaus Iohannis, said on Thursday. There is no time now for petty arguments and every leader must see themselves as a state-person and negotiate for a new government to propose a budget and stage presidential election as soon as possible next year, Iohannis went on to say. The Romanian president has announced he will summon the political parties for a new round of talks. His statement comes after the announcement by the country’s Prime Minister and Social-Democratic leader, Marcel Ciolacu that the PSD is going to withdraw from the talks for setting up an Executive and that it will be voting for a minority right-wing government. The interim PNL chair, Ilie Bolojan, says the Liberals are willing to contribute to finding a solution. In his opinion the country is already in a complicated situation and the inability to build up a ruling coalition will cost the Romanians dearly. The USR MP, Catalin Drula, whose party has been accused of far-fetched claims for carrying on the talks, has lashed out at Ciolacu’s statement and the UDMR has made an appeal to the coalition partners to come back to the negotiations table. After the cancellation of the presidential election, the pro-European parties, which won seats in Parliament following the election round on December 1st, namely PNL, USR and UDMR have kicked off talks with a view to forging a coalition government.

     

    SUMMIT ‘There would be no winners in a potential trade war between the United States and the European Union except China’, the EU’s Foreign Affairs High Representative, Kaja Kallas said on Thursday. Her statement comes against the uncertainties related to the future decisions by the Trump administration, due to take over on January 20th. There are fears the new US administration might raise import fees for European products up to 20%, an alternative being considered by heads of state and government at the European Summit underway in Brussels. The aforementioned summit, where Romania is being represented by its president, Klaus Iohannis, has high on its agenda the situation in Ukraine, migration, the Middle East, the bloc’s civil and military training, crisis-response as well as the situation in the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.

     

    FITCH The Fitch rating agency has worsened Romania’s outlook from “stable” to “negative” regarding the raring for long-term loans in foreign currency. Among the reasons cited, Fitch mentions political risk factors, including “eroded political credibility” and political uncertainty, as well as fiscal slippages and unsustainable spending. An important factor that has been taken into account is the large budget deficit. Among the causes, Fitch lists public sector wage spending and “unfunded pension increases ahead of the election”. In addition, the new Romanian Parliament is more divided and there is an increase in the share of extreme right anti-European parties, which reflects the rising polarization of Romanian society. On the other hand, a plus for Romania is, according to Fitch, the solid banking sector. Among the factors that can lead to a positive rating, the agency mentions the higher than projected fiscal consolidation, which supports the stabilization of the public debt (GDP) in the medium term and the reduction of external indebtedness and external financing risks.

     

    FOOTBALL The main shareholder of the football club Rapid Bucharest, one of the most popular in Romania, the businessman Dan Şucu, became the majority shareholder of the Italian club Genoa, the Serie A group announced on its official website. The source points out that, following a capital increase to 45,356,262 Euros, of which 5,356,262 Euros are free and another 40,000,000 paid on December 14, the Board of Directors approved the Romanian investor’s offer. He subscribed to the entire capital increase, obtaining, in return, a share in the share capital of about 77% of Genoa CFC and leaving the previous shareholders as a minority – the release also states. President of the Concordia Employers’ Confederation, Şucu (61 years old) is a prominent figure in the Romanian economy. He is the founder of Mobexpert, the largest furniture brand in Romania, with over 2,200 employees. He is also involved in the real estate sector and in the media, with a key role in the business daily “Ziarul Financiar”. Genoa is ranked 13thin Serie A after 16 matches, with 16 points.

     

    (bill)

  • December 18, 2024

    December 18, 2024

    A roundup of local and international news.

     

    RATING – Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Romania’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Negative from Stable, meaning a further downgrade is possible, the rating agency said in a statement. According to Fitch, the assessment reflects the major risks Romania faces due to additional political tensions on the political scene after the cancellation of the presidential elections due to external interference, as well as the parliamentary elections that resulted in a more divided Parliament, with a rise in the far right and anti-EU parties, reflecting the increased polarization of Romanian society. The Fitch outlook, which measures a Government’s ability to fulfill its financial obligations, could lead to an increase in interest rates for the loans that the Government plans to take out from the foreign market.

     

    SUMMIT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is participating, today and Thursday, in Brussels, in the EU – Western Balkans Summit and the European Council meeting. On Thursday, the European Council agenda will include topics such as Ukraine, migration, the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s civil and military preparedness and response to crises, the EU’s role in the world and the enlargement of the Union, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and issues related to freedom, security and justice.

     

    PARLIAMENT – A reception center for the newly elected senators and deputies is open as of today until Friday at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest. The new MPs are being guided, these days, through the formalities needed in order to take over their mandates. The new Parliament resulting from the legislative elections of December 1 was convened, on Friday, for its constituent session. In the meantime, the first clear results are emerging after almost a week and a half of negotiations between the parties that want to form the future Parliament majority. PSD, PNL, UDMR and the national minorities other than the Hungarian one have presented the main directions of a 4-year governing program. After tensions in recent days, it is not yet known whether the USR will also be part of the future government.

     

    COMMEMORATION – In Timişoara, events dedicated to the anti-communist Revolution of December ’89 continue today. Tuesday, the city in western Romania was a day of mourning in memory of those killed at the outbreak of the Revolution. After the bloody repression of the uprising on December 17, the large factories went on strike, and the workers gathered in the city center. On December 20, Timişoara became the first Romanian city free from communism  and from here the flame of the Revolution spread throughout the country, to culminate, on the 22nd, in Bucharest, with dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife, trying to escape.

     

    INVESTIGATION – The European Commission has launched an official investigation into TikTok, for Russia’s interference in the Romanian presidential elections. The EC is collecting data to determine whether the platform violated EU law. Among other things, the risks to civic discourse or paid political advertising and content are being investigated. On the other hand, the leadership of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee condemned Russian interference and the role of TikTok, a Chinese-controlled platform, in destabilizing the democratic process in Romania.

  • EPC meeting in Budapest

    EPC meeting in Budapest

    European leaders met in Budapest to discuss security challenges facing Europe, with an emphasis on the situation in Ukraine, as well as the issues of migration and economic security. At the fifth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), they evoked the significant impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the entire continent and also at the global level. The officials emphasized the need for coordinated action at the European level to continue supporting Ukraine, which is fighting for the defense of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

     

    At the talks held in a restricted format within the working group on migration, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, present at the meeting in Budapest, drew attention to the fact that migration remains an important challenge at the European level, which requires a common and comprehensive response. According to a press release from the Presidential Administration, he emphasized that developments regarding migration continue to be alarming against the background of the conflict in the Middle East and the continuation of the war in Ukraine. Thus, Klaus Iohannis spoke about the importance of an effective implementation at the EU level of the Pact on migration, a tool that can also prove useful in the relationship with partners outside the EU.

     

    At the same time, Klaus Iohannis mentioned that Romania is already implementing some of the provisions of the Pact, through the Pilot Project carried out on the border with Serbia, which proved to be an example of good practices in terms of returns, asylum procedures and the prevention of illegal migration. Also, the head of state referred to the importance of regional operational cooperation, which, he says, proves to be an effective tool for effective management of the phenomenon. In this context, Klaus Iohannis pointed out that Romania remains committed both to implementing effective measures in terms of migration management and to ensuring the security of the EU’s external borders and to fully assuming its role as a member state applying the Schengen acquis. In this sense, he reiterated that for Romania, the completion of the process of joining the free travel area reflects the firm commitment to the European project.

     

    On the other hand, at the meeting devoted to supporting the Republic of Moldova, which took place on the sidelines of the EPC meeting, Klaus Iohannis appreciated, together with the other European leaders, the reform efforts of the last period in Chișinău, materialized in constant progress, despite the challenges generated by threats from Russia.  He also emphasized the need to maintain the speedy pace of reforms, the high degree of institutional vigilance, as well as the application of the lessons learned during the current elections and in the perspective of the parliamentary elections in 2025. The other European leaders also declared their firm support for the Republic of Moldova, after the presidential election and the referendum that confirmed its European course. Moreover, at the end of the meeting, the participants pledged to continue their support for Chișinău to achieve its goals of peace and democracy. (LS)

  • October 4, 2024

    October 4, 2024

    A roundup of local and international news.

     

    FRANCOPHONIE – The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, is on a two-day visit to France, to attend the Francophonie Summit. According to the Presidential Administration, the 19th High-level Conference of the heads of state or government of the 88 member states, full members, associate members and observers of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) has the theme “Create , innovate and do business in French’ (“Creer, innover, entreprendre en francais”). The participation of the Romanian President in the Francophonie Summit is an opportunity to highlight the country’s contribution to the global effort to transform and adapt multilateralism, an effort that also concerns the OIF, in a context marked by major challenges to the rules-based international order.

     

    VISIT – The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is today making an official visit to the neighboring Republic of Moldova, to meet with President Maia Sandu, PM Dorin Recean and Parliament Speaker, Igor Gross. The Prime Minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacşu, the Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Ştefan-Radu Oprea, and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Florin Barbu. Ciolacu said previously that he was going to Chisinau to reaffirm Romania’s solid and unequivocal support for the Republic of Moldova, at all levels.

     

    SUMMIT – Romania’s development depends on investments and initiative, and our country needs people with a western attitude towards work, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, at a summit for Romanians everywhere held Thursday in Bucharest. According to Ciolacu, over 3 million Romanians emigrated between 2008 and 2022 alone, pointing out that last year was the first time that 190,000 Romanians returned to the country. Attending the event, Senate Speaker Nicolae Ciucă said that he very much wants Romanians from the diaspora to return home, adding that the involvement of the state in facilitating the return of Romanians to the country is “absolutely necessary and important”.

     

    EUROBAROMETER – The main motivation for Romanians to vote in the European Parliament elections was the economic situation, according to a Eurobarometer survey published by the European Parliament. The other main reason was the increase in prices and the cost of living. The study places Romanians above the average of the 27 member states in terms of optimism regarding the future of the Union. According to the Eurobarometer, other topics that led Romanians to go to the polls were social protection, well-being and access to healthcare, the international situation, democracy and the rule of law, but also defense and security.

     

    REPATRIATION – The 69 people repatriated from Lebanon on Thursday are Romanian citizens and first degree family members, most of them women, children and medical cases, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest. The flight was made with the support of the Romanian Defense Ministry, with an aircraft of the Romanian Air Force. The move was made in the context of the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

     

    EUROPA LEAGUE – The Romanian soccer champion, FCSB (Bucharest), won its second victory in as many games in the new Europa League format, after beating the Greek champion, PAOK Thessaloniki, 1-nil on Thursday evening. The Greek team is trained by the Romanian Razvan Lucescu. In the first match of the group, the Bucharest team defeated the Latvian RFS at home, 4-1. FCSB, Lazio, Lyon, Tottenham and Anderlecht are the only teams with maximum points after two stages in the Europa League. The next match of the Romanian champions is also away, against the Scots from Glasgow Rangers.

     

     

  • August 29, 2024

    August 29, 2024

     

    FARMERS – An insurance system for agricultural land will be approved by the Romanian Government as part of a series of measures to help farmers whose crops have been ravaged by drought, Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu said on Wednesday. The measures, to be adopted next week, include funds for this summer’s damage, but also a mechanism to ensure autumn and spring crops. Minister Barbu, specified that compensation of up to 3,000 lei ($671.14) per hectare will be granted, which will lead to unblocking lending for Romanian farmers. The necessary funds will be provided from the national budget, while 17 million euros will come from the EU’s risk fund. Also, the state aid scheme called “Farmer’s Credit” will be supplemented with approximately 80 million euros.

     

     

    ELECTIONS – The Romanian government has set the dates for this year’s presidential elections. The first round will take place on November 24, and the second on December 8. Last week the Government also decided the calendar of the legislative elections, scheduled to take place on December 1, when Romania’s National Day is celebrated. We remind you that on June 9, Romanians have already elected their representatives in the European Parliament, as well as mayors and heads of local and county councils.

     

     

    MUSIC – The 2024 George Enescu International Competition kicks off in Bucharest on Saturday. Until September 27, a record number of candidates – 667 musicians aged 13 to 35 from almost 60 countries are competing in the Composition, Cello, Violin and Piano categories. This year’s edition of the Competition will also include a Masterclass consisting of musical workshops for young artists specializing in conducting, violin, cello or piano. The workshops will be held by the acclaimed Romanian conducter Cristian Măcelaru, principal conductor of the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra and musical director of the National Orchestra of France. The George Enescu Competition started in September 1958 and this year it reaches its 19th edition.

     

     

    DIPLOMACY – The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu, is today taking part in an informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers hosted in Brussels by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, talks are mainly focused on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Taking part in the talks regarding the Russian aggression against Ukraine is the head of diplomacy from Kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba. The presentation of recent developments on the ground and the European Union’s multidimensional support for Ukraine are on the agenda. The situation in the Middle East is addressed in the context of increasing tensions in the area and the escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as the sustained efforts of the US for a cease-fire agreement between the parties and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

     

     

    CELEBRATION – The Romanian Academy celebrates, in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca (north-west) and Iasi (north-east), Romanian Language Day, established by law on August 31. Today, in the Hall of the Bucharest Academy, a festive session has been scheduled. The Institute of Linguistics and Literary History in Cluj organizes cultural, academic and educational activities registered under the aegis of “Romanian Language Week – Words that connect us”. Moreover, on August 31, the Iaşi Branch of the Romanian Academy meets the public, in the Botanical Garden, for an event named “Romanian Language Day – the celebration of Romanians everywhere”. During this period, events are also organized in the diaspora, the Romanian Language Day being one of the most important cultural diplomacy events, aimed at highlighting the diversity and cultural heritage of the various Romanian-speaking communities around the world.

     

     

    TENNIS – The Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse qualified, on Wednesday, to the third round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, after defeating the Czech Barbora Krejcikova, the winner of this year’s edition of Wimbledon in two sets, 6-4, 7-5. In the next round, Gabriela Ruse, who reaches the third round for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament, will be up against the Spanish Paula Badosa. The Romanian won the only direct match with her so far, in February 2022, in the first round in Dubai.

  • June 27, 2024 UPDATE

    June 27, 2024 UPDATE

    LAW – In Romania, the sentence for slavery and human trafficking can no longer be suspended prison, in keeping with a law promulgated by President Klaus Iohannis. The document also provides for harsher penalties for these crimes, which can reach up to 15 years in prison and the prohibition of certain rights. If the crimes in which minors are involved are committed by a public official, a family member or a person in charge of the child’s upbringing, the penalties reach up to 20 years in prison. The law punishes with deprivation of liberty from 3 to 10 years the production, storage, exposure, promotion and distribution of pornographic materials with minors. Moreover, watching such images will be punished with 5 years in prison and from 1 to 3 years the unauthorized access to pornographic materials with minors through computer systems or other means of electronic communication. According to the document, attempts to commit the crimes of slavery and human trafficking are also punished.

     

     

    NATO – The Dutch Premier Mark Rutte is officially the future NATO Secretary General. The 57 year-old politician has benefitted from support from all 32 representatives of the North Atlantic Council, the alliance’s main decision-making body and his mandate is to kick off on October 1st. Rutte will replace the Norwegian chief Jens Stoltenberg and is known for his critical position against Russia and for supporting Ukraine in terms of its NATO and EU accession. The Netherlands is supporting Ukraine also militarily, including with F-16 jet fighters, which have been given the permission to strike Russian targets. Besides the war in Ukraine and the tense international political background, Rutte will have the task of negotiating with a possible US administration led by Donald Trump, if the latter wins the upcoming election where he runs against the incumbent president Joe Biden.

     

     

    BRUSSELS – EU leaders started a two-day summit in Brussels on Thursday, focused on the appointments at the top of European key institutions and the approval of its strategic agenda for the mandate resulting from the European parliamentary elections. The 27 leaders, writes the EFE agency, arrived at the European Council with the nominations for the top positions already agreed between the three pro-European political groups, favorable to the deepening of European integration and the consolidation of the prerogatives of Brussels, respectively the European People’s Party (EPP), the Social Democrats (S&D) and the Liberals (Renew). According to the agreement between the respective three groups, Ursula von der Leyen, from the EPP, will keep her position as president of the European Commission, that of European Council president will go to the former Portuguese social-democratic prime minister Antonio Costa, and the head of the Estonian government, the liberal Kaja Kallas, will be High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy. The summit also marks the end of the Belgian presidency of the Union, which will be taken over by Hungary for the next six months. Romania is represented at the summit by President Klaus Iohannis.

     

     

    DECLARATION – The United States applauds Romania’s leadership in consolidating the Ukrainian air defense, particularly Romania’s recent decision to provide one Patriot system to Ukraine and it deeply appreciates Romania’s crucial role in promoting Euro-Atlantic security and its leadership on NATO’s eastern flank, according to a statement released by the Governments of the United States of America and Romania on the occasion of the U.S. – Romania Strategic Dialogue.  The meeting was held on June 21 and was opened by consultations between the Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The United States commends Romania on its successful opening of Europe’s first F-16 regional training center this year, the statement also says. The United States and Romania underlined that Russia’s continued aggression has made the Black Sea region host to a number of serious threats. The two sides remain strongly committed to strengthening their efforts to ensure a secure, stable, and prosperous Black Sea region, with the implementation of the United States Black Sea Strategy being an integral part of this effort.

     

     

    FOOTBALL – Romania’s national football side qualified for the round of 16 of the European Football Championship after a one-all draw against Slovakia in Frankfurt on Wednesday night. Razvan Marin scored the equalizer from a penalty shot and his performance pushed the side coached by Edward Iordanescu on top of the group. Our footballers will be up against the Netherlands on the famous Allianz Arena in Munich. Thousands of fans took to the streets of Romania to express their joy for the performance. (EE)

  • June 26, 2024 UPDATE

    June 26, 2024 UPDATE

     

    SUMMIT The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, attends the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Support for the neighbouring Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as the new structure of the European Parliament, are on the meeting’s agenda, according to a press release from the Presidency. EU leaders will also continue discussions on appointments at the top of the EU institutions, following the recent European elections.

     

    CURRENCY Romania does not meet the conditions for switching to the single currency, the European Commission said after assessing judicial compatibility and the fulfillment of the so-called convergence criteria. The European Commission looked at price stability, the soundness of public finances, the currency exchange rate stability and the stability of long-term interest rates, areas in which Romania still has a lot to do. Bulgaria, on the other hand, does meet the criteria, but it is not yet a member of the exchange rate mechanism. One of the requirements for joining the Euro zone is a minimum 2-year participation in the mechanism, without major monetary tensions.

     

     

    CITIZENSHIP A bill modifying the Citizenship Act was endorsed by the Parliament of Romania on Wednesday. A provision allowing foreign citizens who are married and living together with a Romanian national abroad for at least 10 years to be granted Romanian citizenship has been scrapped. The prerequisite for applicants to obtain Romanian citizenship is for them to have legally resided in Romania for at least 8 years or, if they are married to Romanian citizens, for at least 5 years. Refugees may also be granted Romanian citizenship after 3 years, instead of 8 years previously. The document also provides for biometric checks such as fingerprints and face recognition, for those who apply for Romanian citizenship, so as to prevent fraud. Also on Wednesday, Romanian MPs passed legislation binding business operators to card customers who purchase alcohol, energy drinks and tobacco in order to make sure they are over 18. The fines for failure to comply range from EUR 2,000 to 6,000.

     

     

    REHAB Detoxification and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts will be established in each of the 8 development regions in Romania, under a bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies in this respect. Dan Tănasă, a member of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR, in opposition) says drug trafficking is a topic on the agenda of the Supreme Defence Council, which is a clear sign that Romania has been hijacked by drug trafficking networks. Tănasă also said setting up such centres does not tackle the core issue. In response, the Social Democrat Florin Buicu, whose party is the main partner in the ruling coalition, said prevention is necessary with respect to drug consumption, but that the need for addict treatment centres is undeniable. The bill is to be submitted to the president of Romania for promulgation.

     

     

    USR The ex-journalist Elena Lasconi, the mayor of Câmpulung Muscel (southern Romania), was elected president of Save Romania Union (in opposition, affiliated to RENEW in the European Parliament) with 68% of the online votes of party members. Lasconi said the reconstruction of USR would now begin, with a party congress scheduled for this weekend, when the members of the party’s leading structure, the National Bureau, will also be elected. The former USR leader Cătălin Drulă resigned following the local and EP elections of June 9, when the United Right Alliance, comprising USR, the People’s Movement Party and the Force of the Right came below the Social Democrats and the Liberals (in the ruling coalition) and AUR party.

     

     

    NATO The 32 NATO member countries Wednesday confirmed the nomination of the Dutch PM Mark Rutte for secretary general. France Press says the withdrawal of the candidacy of Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis and of the objections raised by Hungary and Slovakia paved the way for Rutte securing the top NATO post. He is to take office on October 1, when the last extension of the current secretary general Jens Stoltenberg’s term in office expires. Appointed in 2014, Stoltenberg saw his term in office extended 4 times in the context of the war in Ukraine. (AMP)

  • Summit for Ukraine

    Summit for Ukraine

     

     

    Romania has supported the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan from the very beginning, and Russia’s “so-called peace proposal” lacks credibility, says the Romanian diplomacy chief Luminiţa Odobescu, who took part in the international Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held this past weekend in Switzerland.

     

    Luminița Odobescu pointed out that Romania’s view is that peace in the neghbouring country should be based on the UN Charter and on the principles of international law. The Romanian foreign minister stated that the peace summit hosted by Switzerland was a success, both in terms of the large number of participants, and in that the participants agreed that peace in Ukraine should rely on the UN Charter and international law.

     

    The event was organized at the request of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy concerning the start of a process aimed at fair, comprehensive and sustainable peace in Ukraine. Extensive international participation was reported, with over 100 countries and international organisations from around the globe taking part.

     

    In a national statement, the Romanian foreign minister highlighted the exclusive responsibility of the Russian Federation for its aggression against Ukraine, which is a serious violation of fundamental principles of international law. She also dismissed the Russian propaganda’s narratives concerning Moscow’s alleged willingness to negotiate.

     

    “Three top-priority themes on Ukraine’s agenda have been discussed, as part of the peace plan presented by president Zelenskyy, namely nuclear security, food security and humanitarian aspects. Basically, the participants discussed in detail the core principles on which future peace should rely,” Luminița Odobescu explained.

     

    She also added that while the process is lengthy, the large number of participants from all parts of the world is an indicator of the international community’s interest in finding solutions, and of the fact that a rule-based international order remains a critical foundation of international relations.

     

    At the panel on food security, the Romanian diplomacy chief presented Romania’s dynamic role in facilitating Ukrainian exports, and the efforts made by Romania, either alone or together with foreign partners, to further improve the transit capacity for Ukrainian food products. The Romanian official also discussed the efforts made by Romania jointly with Bulgaria and Turkey to secure traffic in the Black Sea, under the mine clearance agreement signed by the three countries.

     

    At the end of the summit, a joint communiqué was signed, emphasizing the need for all future talks or peace efforts to be based on the UN Charter and to comply with the principles of international law. (AMP)

     

  • June 10, 2024

    June 10, 2024

    Local elections – The incumbent general mayor of Bucharest, the independent Nicuşor Dan, won a new mandate in Sunday’s local elections, obtaining almost 47% of the votes, according to the partial results. On second position, at a great distance, is the social-democratic candidate Gabriela Firea. In the General Council, the Social Democratic Party – PSD (in the governing coalition together with the National Liberal Party – PNL) and the United Right Alliance, which supported Nicusor Dan, are tied, with about 27% of the votes. PSD and PNL won, in this order, the most county councils. European Parliament elections were also held in Romania on Sunday, which were won by the joint list proposed by PSD and PNL. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians – AUR (sovereigntist, ultranationalist) is on 2nd position, at a big distance, followed by the United Right Alliance and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania – UDMR.  Romania will be represented by 33 MEPs.

     

    European elections – The partial results of the European elections held between June 6-9 show that the first position is held by the European People’s Party group, which obtained 191 mandates, 15 more than in the last elections. The Social Democrats are in second position, with 135 mandates, which means a decrease of four mandates compared to 2019. Renew loses almost 20 mandates but keeps the third position. The two far-right Eurosceptic parties, the Conservatives and Reformists group, as well as the Identity and Democracy group, climb to fourth and fifth place. The Greens lose fourth position and fall to sixth, with 53 mandates, compared to the 71 they held following the 2019 elections, and the extreme left remains in seventh position with 35 mandates. The independents got 50 mandates, and the unaffiliated parties 45 mandates. According to these partial data and according to last night’s declarations of the political leaders, Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels reports, the future majority will be formed through the negotiation between the first three groups, just as happened in the past. Together, they hold a comfortable majority of 409 parliamentary mandates out of a total of 720, so the vote for the future European Commission should not pose any problems. The European People’s Party wants Ursula von der Leyen to get a second term as head of the Commission, for which only 361 votes are needed. The president of the European Commission has said that her centre-right alliance will act as “a bastion against extremes” in the European Parliament, following a surge in people’s support for nationalist parties. Far right and radical rightist parties won the elections in France, Austria and Italy and came second in Germany and the Netherlands. Following the results in France, President Emmanuel Macron decided to hold early elections in three weeks’ time.

     

    Deficit – Romania’s trade balance deficit in the first four months of the year was just over 9.3 billion euros, 440 million Euros higher than the one recorded in the same period last year, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) announced on Monday. During the analyzed period, exports totaled almost 31.3 billion Euros, and imports over 40.6 billion Euros. According to INS, in the first four months of the year, important shares in the structure of exports and imports are held by machines and transport equipment, as well as by other manufactured products. The value of intra-EU27 exchanges of goods accounted for about 73% of both total exports and total imports.

     

    Tech Week – Bucharest hosts between June 10-16 the eighth edition of Bucharest Tech Week, an emblematic event that transforms the city into the epicenter of technological innovation and where more than 25,000 technology enthusiasts are expected. With a focus on redefining the human experience through technology, the event promises to inspire industry professionals and enthusiasts alike, giving them the opportunity to discover the latest trends and innovations. Bucharest Tech Week maintains the same successful structure, the organizers announced: 5 days of Business Summits, followed by Tech Expo, the largest tech exhibition in Romania, dedicated to the public at large, held throughout the weekend. This year, the five business summits bring together over 50 local and international speakers, and over 60 partner companies respectively, that will bring to the attention of those present over 450 technology solutions dedicated to the business environment. Among the participants in the opening ceremony is Mircea Geoană, NATO Deputy Secretary General.

     

    Summit – Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, will participate on Tuesday, in Riga, in the Bucharest Format Summit 9 (B9), which he will co-chair alongside the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, and the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will also participate in the event. The meeting takes place one month before the NATO Anniversary Summit in Washington, D.C., which marks 75 years since the Alliance was founded. In Riga, the leaders will have the opportunity for an in-depth exchange of views on the major objectives and the main expected results for the Washington Summit, with focus on strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank, as well as on intensifying support for Ukraine, writes a press release from the Romanian presidency. (LS)

  • April 19, 2024 UPDATE

    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 16th 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 71st Air Base ‘General Emanoil Ionescu’ from Câmpia Turzii (central Romania), and are to be assigned to the 48th 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)

     

  • April 18, 2024

    April 18, 2024

    Summit – President Klaus Iohannis said that he wanted to solve as quickly as possible the problems that the Romanian citizens still have at the airports of some European countries, despite the fact that Romania entered Schengen with air borders. The statement was made before the European summit in Brussels, where a report requested by the Council mentions the need for the total integration of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Area, as a measure that will boost the single market. The Council’s agenda includes the situation in Ukraine, a country that needs more military aid and is facing problems in the energy infrastructure, following the Russian bombings. The European leaders will also discuss the tense situation in the Middle East, generated by the crisis in Gaza and the tensions between Israel and Iran.

     

    Eurobarometer – Romania is among the top countries in the European Union where the voting intention in this year’s European Parliament elections has increased. According to the most recent Eurobarometer survey, the voting intention reached 74%, after it increased by 19% compared to the elections five years ago. The data show that Romanians continue to have a positive image of the European Parliament. A little more than half of Romanians say that for them personally it is important to vote in the European elections, 40% say that the vote has an average importance, while only 5% say that the election has low importance for them. At the same time, Romanians are more optimistic than the EU average that their standard of living will increase in the next five years, and equally more optimistic than the EU average that the state of the country’s economy will be better in a year’s time.

     

    Abu Dhabi – The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is paying a working visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and Friday. An important objective of this visit is the consolidation of the economic component, with an emphasis on attracting Emirati investments. The Prime Minister is to meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with other senior Emirati officials, with representatives of relevant companies in the United Arab Emirates, as well as with members of the Romanian community there. The agenda of the visit also includes a plenary meeting of the delegations, during which there will be an exchange of bilateral documents in areas of common interest. The PM Ciolacu stated that he wanted to strengthen cooperation relations with the United Arab Emirates, from a political and economic perspective. ‘Romania continues to attract Emirati investors in the air infrastructure, the modernization and expansion of Otopeni Airport being a viable project of our collaboration’, said Marcel Ciolacu. He added that projects in the fields of digitization, energy and agriculture also correspond to Romania’s interests. In the first part of his tour in the Persian Gulf area, Marcel Ciolacu had discussions, on Wednesday, in Qatar, on economic topics. He stated that he wanted Romania to become the entry gate of this state’s investments in the European Union.

     

    Strike – The employees’ trade union of the National Office of the Trade Register (SAONRC) goes on a Japanese-style strike on Thursday, across Romania, requesting the Romanian Government to take urgent actions to increase salaries by 15%. According to trade unionists, the National Office of the Trade Register is the public institution with the lowest salary level in the judiciary. The union accuses salary inequities and discrimination of the Office employees compared to other categories of employees in the justice domain. The Japanese-style strike will last until April 22. Between April 23-25, rallies will take place at the national level in all counties, and on April 26 a rally will take place at the headquarters of the Justice Ministry. As of August, the collective labor conflict will be started, announced the National Office of the Trade Register trade unionists. (LS)

  • April 11, 2024 UPDATE

    April 11, 2024 UPDATE

    Vilnius – Romania believes that the entire eastern flank of the European Union and NATO must be connected by road and rail, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. President Klaus Iohannis insisted on this issue at the summit of the Three Seas Initiative in Vilnius. He also spoke about the Initiative’s strategic partners, Japan being one of them. Iohannis had a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on which occasion he reiterated the firm support that Romania gives to Ukraine on all relevant levels, as well as the determination to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the field of energy security. The Three Seas initiative offers a platform for collaboration between EU and non-EU states, with benefits including increasing the quality of life of the citizens and stimulating opportunities for multidirectional cooperation. The previous edition of the Initiative took place in Bucharest, and the next one will be in Poland.

     

    Barometer – Half of the Romanians believe that the current economic situation in their region is rather good than bad, while 13% think that it is very bad, according to a Eurobarometer of the European Commission. Thus, 7% of Romanians believe that the economic situation is very good, percentages above average being recorded in the regions of Bucharest-Ilfov (from the south of the country), West, North-West and Center. As to the quality of life, 58% of Romanians think that it is rather good and 10% very bad. The most important problems they face are the cost of living and health, followed by the economic situation and unemployment and the education system. The figures are close to the European average, which also includes housing concerns.

     

    Banking – The governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Moldova (BNM), Anca Dragu, said the Stock Exchange in Chişinău stands good chances to develop and Moldova could be a market for the foreign companies that are already in Romania. Anca Dragu was in Bucharest where she held talks with representatives of the local Stock Exchange, the Financial Supervisory Authority and the National Bank of Romania. The talks focused on the opportunity of the double listing of the Moldovan companies at stock exchanges abroad and on transaction mechanisms for bonds and other financial instruments. We recall that Anca Dragu has dual citizenship, Moldovan and Romanian and for a year she held the presidency of the Senate in Bucharest.

     

    Heritage – The European Commission awarded the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest the ‘European Heritage Label’ for the significant role played by this edifice in the history and culture of the continent. The label was granted by a jury made up of independent experts from all over Europe. In order to receive the ‘European Heritage Label’, edifices must meet three criteria: demonstrate their European significance, make their European dimension known to the public and demonstrate their operational capacity to carry out these activities. The Romanian Athenaeum was built by the company of the same name at the end of the 19th century to host a public library, conferences, classical music concerts, exhibitions and other cultural and artistic activities, as part of its mission to popularize culture by any means.

     

    Drill – The Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday attended the multinational exercise ’Sea Shield 24’ on board of the Queen Marie frigate. The exercise, due to last from April 8th to 21st has brought together over 2,200 servicemen, 135 sea and river vessels, planes and vehicles. 12 countries such as Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Great Britain, the Republic of Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and the United States are participating in the aforementioned drill due to unfold on the Black Sea and the Danube Delta. The exercise includes missions combating illegal activities at sea and rivers, maritime and river control operations, search and rescue missions, providing assistance to vessels in distress and ensuring security at the level of the critical infrastructure. The multinational exercise ’Sea Shield 24’ is the most complex event led by the Romanian Navy in 2024 and contributes to the promotion of Romania’s initiatives and interests at regional and international levels as well as to raising the level of interoperability between the participant countries. The first edition of the multinational exercise ’Sea Shield’ took place in 2015.