Radio România Internațional

Tag: support for Ukraine

  • July 4, 2024

    July 4, 2024

    ELECTIONS – The PSD-PNL ruling coalition has today reached consensus on the exact dates of the presidential and parliamentary elections following the talks Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had earlier this week with political parties. Thus, the first round of the presidential election will be held on November 24, with the second round slated for December 8. The parliamentary election has been scheduled for December 1. Originally, the Social-Democrats and the Liberals agreed to organize the presidential election in September, but the latter changed their mind. We recall local and European Parliament elections were held on June 9.

     

     

    FOURTH OF JULY – Romanian-American friendship is stronger than ever, evidence of which is the Strategic Partnership between the two states, the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, said in a message marking the national day of the United States. “Happy Independence Day to the United States of America and the American people”, the president wrote on X. On Wednesday, the head of state attended a reception organized by the American Embassy in Bucharest. In her opening remarks, US Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec referred to the long-lasting friendship between the two countries and the nearly 30 years of strategic partnership, built on shared democratic values, trade relations, strong interpersonal relations and security and defense cooperation. “As NATO allies and partners, our commitment to Romania is unwavering and essential to protecting our shared values and way of life”, Ambassador Kavalec added. The theme for this year’s reception was the world of film and cooperation between the two states’ film industries.

     

     

    SURVEY – Europeans continue to stand with Ukraine and its efforts to fight off the Russian invasion, are overall in favor of supplying weapons but oppose the deployment of troops to the former, a European Foreign Affairs Council survey reads. 20,000 Europeans were interviewed as part of the survey, the majority arguing the war in Ukraine will end through a negotiated truce, and Ukraine will not prevail on the battlefield. Ukrainians and Estonians interviewed believe, however, that the Ukrainian army will be victorious. Most Ukrainians oppose the idea of Ukraine conceding Russian-held territories in exchange for NATO accession. Additionally, nearly half of Ukrainians fear the United States could negotiate directly with Russia without Kyiv’s consent should Donald Trump get re-elected at the White House this autumn.

     

     

    WHITE HOUSE – US president Joe Biden has no intention of withdrawing his candidacy for a second term at the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has told journalists. Meanwhile, Americans continue to ponder Joe Biden’s mental health after his disastrous performance in last week’s debate against Republican Donald Trump. The Democrat president stays in the race, Jean-Pierre told a briefing. Aged 81, president Biden on Friday will give an exclusive interview to ABC News, and the White House promised the president will hold a press conference next week to show he’s able to speak freely with no teleprompter. According to a survey published on Tuesday by the CNN, 75% of Americans believe the Democratic Party would have bigger chances of winning the November election were they to replace Biden as their candidate.

     

     

    QUALIFIERS – Romanian football champions and Cup winners FCSB and Corvinul Hunedoara are tonight playing in the Romanian Supercup. Both teams are this month competing in European interclub competitions. In the first preliminary round of Champions League, FCSB will play AC Virtus 1964 of San Marino. In the first preliminary round of Europa League, Corvinul Hunedoara will take on Hungarian vice-champions Paksi FC. In the second preliminary round of UEFA Conference League, CFR Cluj will play FC Neman Grodno of Belarus, while Universitatea Craiova will play the winner of the match pitting PFC Botev Plovdiv of Bulgaria against Maribor of Slovenia. (VP)

  • Europe – focus on Ukraine

    Europe – focus on Ukraine

    Russia is and will remain the most significant and direct threat to NATO security, and allies will work on a strategy to challenge, restrict and counter Russia, including by limiting Moscow’s ability to rebuild its military, the co-chairs of the B9 summit hosted by Riga said on Tuesday. The summit was chaired by the presidents of Romania, Poland and Latvia, Klaus Iohannis, Andrzej Duda and Edgars Rinkevics, respectively. “We remain committed to our efforts to maintain international pressure on Russia, including by means of sanctions and other measures, as long as Russia continues its hostile policies and actions, including blatant violations of international law”, the joint statement signed by the three officials reads. At the same time, the three presidents reiterated their unwavering support for “independent and sovereign” Ukraine. It is important that NATO’s deterrence posture remains strong, and that the defense capacity is at maximum potential. Romania supports Ukraine, Romania stands with NATO, with Ukraine, together with other NATO allies, as long as it is required, president Klaus Iohannis pointed out.

     

     

    In this context, the Romanian official announced that next week the Supreme Defense Council will discuss whether or not Romania will grant Ukraine a Patriot military system. The Biden administration called on European NATO member states that have this type of systems to examine the possibility of donating some of them to Ukraine. Germany has already announced it will give Kyiv such a system. Last month, the Romanian president addressed a possible transfer of a Patriot system to Ukraine, dismissing the possibility Romania should remain without anti-missile defense. If Romania gives something up, it should receive something else in return, the president said.

     

     

    In Berlin, Western allies attending the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Ukraine promised support for this country, although concrete solutions are yet to be established. One such solution would be to boost investments in Ukraine. So far, the European Commission has announced agreements with various banks worth 1.4 bln EUR and an assistance package of 1.9 bln EUR. Italy announced 140 mln EUR in aid. Germany and Ukraine signed a Declaration of Intent to support Kyiv after the war. Chancellor Olaf Scholz also promised Ukraine IRIS-T systems, missiles and ammunition in the coming months, in addition to 100 Patriot missiles, in a joint initiative with Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. Romania also offered its assistance. Attending the conference in Berlin, the Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminița Odobescu, said Bucharest supports Ukraine with electricity and construction works designed at improving interconnectivity. Bucharest’s approach is regional, also targeting the Republic of Moldova, the Romanian Foreign Minister said. (VP)

  • Romania supports the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine

    Romania supports the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine

    Seen as a major security, defense and foreign policy event, the Black Sea and the Balkans Security forum in Bucharest served as an opportunity to reaffirm some key objectives of Romanian diplomacy. Romania will continue to support Ukraine with all its might, a country invaded by Russian troops, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday on the sidelines of the Forum. The Romanian official pointed out that Romania is one of the main energy suppliers of the neighboring country and is making investments in order to become the main logistic hub for Ukrainian goods. “We have started large-scale projects, worth more than 1.5 bln EUR, in the port of Constanța, because Ukrainian grain exports via Constanţa to the whole world thwarted yet another of Russia’s heinous plans”, the Romanian Prime Minister added.

     

     

    This week, the Border Police General Inspectorate announced that, starting February 2022, when the Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and until May 21, 2024 at midnight, over eight million Ukrainian citizens entered Romania at national level. Most of them were in route to Western European countries, but about 84 thousand, accounting for 1% total entries, chose to stay in Romania. Last week, Prime Minister Ciolacu also gave assurances that Romania will maintain its aid for Ukrainian refugees. The victory of Ukraine against the Russian Federation means the victory of all democracies, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on the sidelines of the Forum in Bucharest. “It is important to stop the Russians from destroying even more!”, said the Ukrainian official who, like all Ukrainian political leaders, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy first and foremost, asked his partners, including Romania, for more sophisticated weaponry. In his message, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, the pro-Western Dorin Recean, said it is essential to combat disinformation and Russian propaganda, which undermine peace and stability in the region. Trustworthy and strong media institutions are needed to inform the public correctly and objectively, the Moldovan Prime Minister also stated.

     

     

    Also on Thursday, the Government of Romania adopted a new support package for the Republic of Moldova, aimed at continuing energy exports, rehabilitating a student dormitory and providing public order and security structures. According to the Government spokesperson, Mihai Constantin, “the law stipulates in cases where the Republic of Moldova cannot ensure its national consumption of electricity through its own production, that electricity producers in Romania can sell energy products to traders or suppliers designated by the Government of the Republic of Moldova”. These electricity deliveries will exclusively cover the needs of end users in the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Constantin explained. (VP)

     

  • Romania – a key partner supporting NATO’s deterrence and defense efforts

    Romania – a key partner supporting NATO’s deterrence and defense efforts

    Stepping up NATO’s military presence on the Eastern Flank is a key element of Allied deterrence. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its subsequent invasion of Ukraine in 2022 are events that have prompted NATO leaders to rethink their defense strategies. Romania holds an important place within the Alliance, a true anchor in the southern part of the allied eastern flank and a riparian of the Black Sea, a region with strategic relevance for European and Euro-Atlantic security. At the NATO summits of Madrid and Vilnius, in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Romania raised the issue of consolidating NATO’s presence in the Black Sea region.

     

     

    NATO’s advanced posture currently includes 8 multinational battle groups, provided by framework nations and supplemented by other allies. They are deployed in the 3 Baltic States, in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania, thus covering the entire eastern flank. In Romania, the battle group is led by France, whereas the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg are contributing troops. Currently, the group is at battalion level, but it is expected that, starting next year, it will grow to a brigade totaling 4,000 soldiers. Also in Romania, NATO also has several command structures: the South-East Multinational Corps in Sibiu (center) and the South-East Multinational Division in Bucharest, but also the South-East Multinational Brigade in Craiova (south) and the NATO Forces Integration Unit in Bucharest.

     

     

    Romania is a key partner in the development of the Alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts on the Eastern Flank by operationalizing the anti-missile shield at Deveselu (south) and by strengthening security in the Black Sea, jointly with its allies. A good example in that regard is the beginning of construction works for the expansion of the “Mihail Kogălniceanu” military base in Constanța County (southeast), which will be able to accommodate 10,000 NATO soldiers. The Romanian government pledged to invest 2.5 bln EUR in this project. Romania currently hosts around 5,000 foreign troops.

     

     

    The need to establish a permanent NATO naval group in the Black Sea region has been increasingly discussed of late. Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey must identify a common solution for ensuring security in the Black Sea. The model of the Baltic Sea, which practically became a so-called ‘NATO lake’ after the accession of Sweden and Finland, can be a good example in that respect. Strengthening relations between NATO and Ukraine or even accepting Ukraine as a NATO member can open up new possibilities for strengthening the Black Sea region.

     

     

    The fact that our country has the largest land border with Ukraine has impacted Romania’s role and position at NATO level. With respect to support for the neighboring country, Romania might offer Ukraine one of its Patriot air defense systems. It is a hypothesis advanced by president Klaus Iohannis following his visit to the USA. The decision can only be taken after consulting the Supreme Defense Council. Romania has four such Patriot systems, one of which has already been field-tested, and the other three are in advanced stages of operationalization. Should Romania press forward in that direction, it would be on these three systems that would reach Ukraine. “It is a rather intense discussion about who can provide Ukraine with Patriot systems. Romania has such systems at its disposal and Ukraine has approached us. President Joe Biden brought this up and I said I’m open to it. I will have to further discuss this back home, in the Supreme Defense Council, to see how we can solve the problem, what we can offer and, obviously, what we can receive in return because it is unacceptable that Romania remains without anti-aircraft defense”, president Iohannis said. (VP)

  • Romania at the World Economic Forum

    Romania at the World Economic Forum

    Nearly two years ago, when
    Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, ordered his troops to invade Ukraine,
    Romania immediately expressed solidarity with its neighbor. Over seven million
    Ukrainian citizens fled the country, crossing the Romanian border. Most of them
    went on to travel to countries in Western Europe, although approximately one
    hundred thousand chose to stay. Last year, the port of Constanța reported the
    largest volume of processed goods – 92.5 mln tons, accounting for a 22.5%
    increase compared to 2022. Of these, over 14 mln tons were Ukrainian grain and
    products from Ukraine, a country whose maritime and river ports have long been
    subject to Russian bombings and blockades. Overall, Bucharest remains one of
    the most consistent supporters of Kyiv in diplomatic, political, logistic and
    humanitarian terms. Things won’t change in 2024. Romania’s Foreign Minister,
    Luminița Odobescu, again condemned Russia’s war of aggression and reiterated
    Romania’s firm support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial
    integrity of Ukraine on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum hosted by Davos.
    The Romanian official highlighted the risks Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian
    citizens and infrastructure also pose for regional security. Romania is an
    active presence at regional and EU level, Luminița Odobescu told Radio Romania.


    Our active involvement in the
    enlargement process, not only with partners from the Western Balkans, but also
    from the Eastern Partnership, remains a priority on our agenda. A number of
    leaders from the Balkans and Eastern Europe attended the proceedings. We’ve
    talked and discussed future steps in terms of EU rapprochement. Romania is
    actively involved not only in terms of political support, but also in terms of
    diplomatic action it undertakes to support and prepare the administration, to
    adopt legislation for various reforms.


    Also this week, Romania’s Defense
    Minister Angel Tîlvăr had a videoconference call with his counterpart from
    Ukraine, Rustem Umerov. I have assured Minister Umerov Romania strongly
    condemns the Russian aggression, the attacks on the civilian population and
    infrastructure, actions that have intensified in recent weeks. Romania
    continues to support Ukraine alongside its allies and partners, Minister Tîlvăr
    went on to say. The two officials also discussed concrete measures to
    consolidate bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, with a focus on
    training Romanian and Ukrainian pilots at the F-16 European Training Center in
    Romania. (VP)

  • Regional meeting in Athens

    Regional meeting in Athens

    Two decades since the summit held in Thessaloniki,
    Greece, which laid the foundations of the EU enlargement in the Western
    Balkans, heads of state and governments are now attending an informal summit,
    called by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Aimed at reviewing
    progress reported in recent years in terms of development cooperation in
    South-Eastern Europe, as well as challenges linked to the conflict in Ukraine,
    the summit brought together leaders from Serbia, Montenegro, the Republic of
    Moldova, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Bosnia
    Herzegovina, as well as the presidents of the European Council and European
    Commission, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, respectively.

    Attending
    the summit was also the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting
    sent a strong message of support for Ukraine, as well as for the Euro-Atlantic
    perspective of the entire region. We must bring our friends, future members of
    the EU, closer to us and faster. We will continue to bring down barriers
    between our regions, the European Commission president wrote on social media.
    With regard to EU enlargement, the meeting focused on energy security and
    sanctions against Russia, to which Belgrade has not yet subscribed. In fact,
    following the objection of Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić, the call for new
    sanctions against Russia was eliminated from the final resolution of the
    meeting in Athens. Participants also highlighted the importance of continuing
    constant dialogue and coordination in terms of ensuring regional economic cooperation
    and security and reiterated solidarity with Ukraine and the Republic of
    Moldova. In addition, participants reiterated support for the EU enlargement
    process in the Western Balkans and in the eastern vicinity.

    In his address,
    Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu outlined Romania’s support for Ukraine, as well
    as challenges facing Romanian farmers with regard to regulations on Ukrainian
    grain exports. In this context, Marcel Ciolacu suggested the creation of a
    European mechanism for the management of grain transports and earmarking
    additional funds for the food industry and for the development of related
    infrastructure. In addition, the Romanian Prime Minister underlined the need
    for Romania quickly joining the Schengen Area. In his talks with European
    Commission president, Marcel Ciolacu asked for stepping up joint efforts to
    ensure Romania’s Schengen accession. Last but not least, the Romanian official
    called for greater unity at European level and suggested the development of
    joint regional projects in the fields of energy, trade and combating hybrid
    threats. In Athens, Marcel Cioalcu also discussed with his Greek counterpart
    about expanding bilateral and regional cooperation. In his meeting with
    Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Marcel Ciolacu assured the Ukrainian president of Romania’s
    support for Ukraine until the end of the conflict and for its assistance in the
    country’s reconstruction. (VP)



  • The Romanian Prime Minister’s visit to Germany

    The Romanian Prime Minister’s visit to Germany

    Germany supports Romania’s bid to become a full member of Schengen,
    Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said upon meeting his Romanian counterpart,
    Marcel Ciolacu. The Romanian Prime Minister paid a two-day visit to Berlin,
    hailing Germany’s unconditional support for Bucharest’s efforts to join the visa-free
    travel area and outlining the main lines of cooperation between the two states.
    The two officials also discussed security on NATO’s eastern flank and the
    upcoming NATO summit due in Vilnius next week. Support for consolidating NATO’s
    eastern flank is exemplary, Chancellor Scholz argued, saying that Romania is a
    trusted ally and partner. As regards bilateral ties, the German official said
    the two countries enjoy very good and close relations, while bilateral
    economic prospects are encouraging. In turn, Marcel Ciolacu said he wants to
    reduce the trade deficit between the two countries:


    We discussed economic cooperation and vistas for development including in
    terms of trade as well as investments, by using European resources as well.
    Germany is Romania’s top trade partner. There is, however, great potential for
    development between the two countries and together we have identified ways to
    work together to cover the emerging markets. For instance, we will actively
    take part in the reconstruction of Ukraine and help support the development of
    Moldova. In this context, I want to stress our full support for Ukraine.


    Germany has expressed an interest to invest in the petrochemical sector
    in Romania, in the production of fertilizers as well as the raw materials
    industry. Marcel CIolacu’s visit to Germany also included meetings with
    representatives of the Bundestag, the German business and defense sectors and
    the Romanian diaspora. According to the Romanian Prime Minister, German
    investment is expected in such fields as construction materials and foodstuffs.
    As regards green energy, Marcel Ciolacu recalled Romania is developing a wind
    park on the Black Sea, arguing that once the proper legislation is adopted,
    large corporations in this field might be interested to invest. Marcel Ciolacu
    also presented the main projects of the Government addressing the Romanian community
    in Germany. We need to find ways to develop a communication between this
    community and those at home. We will come up with a start-up program for the
    Diaspora, the Prime Minister also said. (VP)







  • February 10, 2023 UPDATE

    February 10, 2023 UPDATE

    EUROPEAN COUNCIL – European Council president Charles
    Michel has expressed the EU’s firm support for Ukraine for as long as it is
    necessary. On the sidelines of the European Council summit in Brussels,
    Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has called on EU leaders to deliver
    additional support for his country, including fighter jets. Romania’s
    president, Klaus Iohannis, in turn met with president Zelensky as part of a
    broader meeting with EU leaders. The president highlighted the importance of
    maintaining EU support for Ukraine at all levels, underscoring the need to also
    maintain pressure on the Russian Federation. On the other hand, the Romanian
    president called for flexible rules and procedures for the swift implementation
    of the Recovery and Resilience Plans and REPowerEU, which will ensure the
    sustainable modernization and competitiveness of European economy. Klaus
    Iohannis said the USA remains the EU’s top partner.




    WAR IN UKRAINE – Russian forces on Friday targeted
    key infrastructure objectives in several regions of Ukraine by means of air
    raids. Missiles hit the city of Zaporizhzhia in the early morning hours on
    Friday. Air raids blared across the country, and local officials have urged the
    population to take shelter as the possibility of new attacks remains high. The
    air strike on Zaporizhzhia was the strongest reported since February last year,
    local officials claim. Key infrastructure buildings were also targeted in the
    city of Kharkiv, in northern Ukraine, as well as in Dnipropetrovsk in the
    center.




    MOLDOVA – Moldova’s president, Maia
    Sandu, has designated Dorin Recean, presidential security adviser, to form a
    new Cabinet after Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița resigned on Friday. Maia
    Sandu said the top priorities include defense and security, energy supplies
    over the cold season as well as the fight against corruption. Recean currently
    serves as secretary of the Supreme Security Council of the Republic of Moldova.
    He served as Interior Minister over 2012-2016. Outgoing Prime Minister Natalia
    Gavrilița was sworn in a year and a half ago and had to cope
    with multiple crises generated by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, including
    energy security, rampant inflation, losing access to eastern markets and the
    Ukrainian refugee crisis. Prime Minister Gavrilița said that Moldova obtaining
    EU candidate status is the greatest achievement of her Cabinet. Also on Friday,
    the Russian ambassador to Chișinău, Oleg Vasnetsov, was summoned at the
    Moldovan Foreign Ministry after a Russian missile targeted against Ukraine
    transited Moldovan air space.




    EARTHQUAKE -
    Chances of finding survivors in Turkey and Syria have now diminished. 22,000
    dead is the provisional death toll of one of the most devastating quakes in the
    region in the last century. The toll already exceeds the devastating 1999
    earthquake in İzmit, northwestern Turkey and experts expect it to rise. Romania
    will send disaster relief products to Turkey from the EU reserve on national
    territory, including tents with electric heaters, beds, mattreses and bedheets.
    The decision was taken by the National Emergency Situations Committee summoned
    on Friday by Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă. At the same time, the Romanian
    Defense Ministry will send experts to Turkey to train the locals how to use the
    said materials.




    AWARDS -
    Radio Romania’s radio drama production The Sixties by Ema Stere and adapted
    and directed by Mihnea Chelaru is one of the three to be shortlisted for the
    BBC Radio Drama Awards in the Best European Drama category. The winners will be
    announced on Sunday in London. The Sixties explores the drama of the first
    generation of young people separated from the free world at a time when the communist
    regime was tightening its grip on power in Romania. The other two shortlisted
    productions for Best European Drama are Czech Radio’s Burning by Sudabeh
    Mohafez and Polskie Radio’s Let Me Tell You by Marta Rebzda. (CM & VP)

  • Ukraine can rely on its friends

    Ukraine can rely on its friends


    Ukraine will be facing the toughest winter since the end of World War II, and both Kyiv and its friends must prepare for this challenge, Alexandru Victor Micula, Romania’s ambassador in Kyiv, has said. No one must however get intimidated by Putin’s attacks on civilian infrastructure, the Romanian diplomat added, arguing that Bucharest will get involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine by means of projects carried out at EU level, but also by means of national initiatives.




    We need to understand this is a complex process. If we’re referring to the Lugano conference in early July, at the time there were some 40,000 objectives that were partially or completely destroyed and needed restoration. Before I took office, their number had already doubled, and the more Ukrainian territories are liberated, the larger the extent of the damage we notice, so the needs increase exponentially as hostilities continue. We need to recognize the efforts of Ukrainian authorities, first of all in order to have an updated list of objectives that need rebuilding. Secondly, we should praise the way they use the methodology developed by the World Bank to estimate the construction costs for each objective. And thirdly, the way they associate the objective that needs to be reconstructed with the potential donor, the country or international organization that pledges to rebuild the objective, which results in that particular objective being taken off the list of those that still need funding. Right now, jointly with the European Commission, the World Bank or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, we are working on the fourth component, namely the mechanism for reconstruction financing. We also want to have a number of reconstruction projects where Romania can get involved, a number of national initiatives, and we are currently in the phase where we are assessing potential areas where we might implement such projects before choosing the field to specialize in.




    Apart from government projects or projects held jointly with other Member States or the European Commission, there are also many other programs of local authorities in Romania or NGOs, foundations or even volunteers. Every piece of assistance provided to Ukraine is important. The needs of this country are so great, that any support given is but half a drop in an ocean, ambassador Alexandru Victor Micula also pointed out.




  • October 3, 2022 UPDATE

    October 3, 2022 UPDATE

    WAR IN UKRAINE – Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, as
    well as the presidents of seven other members of NATO from Central and Eastern
    Europe, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro,
    Poland and Slovakia on Monday signed a
    joint statement reaffirming their support for the sovereignty and territorial
    integrity of Ukraine. We firmly stand behind the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit
    decision concerning Ukraine’s future membership, the Romanian president also
    tweeted.


    EDUCATION – Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, on
    Monday said the education laws should stipulate clear provisions for the
    prevention and punishment of plagiarism, which he described as a toxic
    phenomenon in the education system. Attending the opening of the academic year
    at the Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest, the
    president pointed out that obtaining an academic degree is an honor
    exclusively based on real merit. An educated Romania must be fair, without
    exception, Klaus Iohannis said. Some 500 thousand students on Monday started a
    new academic year. Also on Monday, Ligia Deca was sworn in as the new Education
    Minister, replacing outgoing minister Sorin Cîmpeanu, who resigned in the wake of a plagiarism scandal. Ligia Deca was
    nominated by the National Liberal Party after previously serving as
    presidential adviser. Deca was in charge of coordinating Educated Romania, a project
    that will be treated as a top priority during her mandate.


    CAR INDUSTRY – Although the world car industry was
    strongly hit by the global semiconductor chip shortage, with losses to
    companies in the field amounting to 100 billion EUR, the car manufacturing
    industry in Romania saw a growth rate of over 15%, while car sales grew by 5%
    in the first 8 months of the year compared with the same period in 2021,
    according to a study published on Monday. With chip supply chains still at
    threat, state support should remain high for this sector, which makes up more
    than 25% of GDP, the study also writes. Romania is home to two big car
    manufacturing plants: the Ford factory in Craiova, in the south-west, and the
    Dacia-Renault factory in Mioveni, in the south of the country.


    ENERGY – The Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest is
    expected to finalize this week debates on the government emergency decree in the
    field of energy. The draft law was previously adopted by the Senate with
    certain amendments. Therefore, in the current form, the list of social
    categories that benefit from capped prices for electricity and natural gas
    until August, 2023 includes families with a maximum of three children, places
    of worship officially sanctioned in Romania and medicine manufacturers. The list
    of legal entities that benefit from capped prices also includes SMEs, public
    utility services and economic operators in the food industry. On the other
    hand, this week Romanian MPs are expected to cast their votes on the final law in
    the justice law package, more specifically the one regulating the status of
    magistrates. USR in opposition has called on the ruling coalition to suspend
    the debate of these draft laws until December pending the publication of the opinion
    of the Venice Commission, according to a timetable published on Monday.


    GAS – Romania has reached 87% natural gas storage capacity,
    Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă said on Monday. The
    Romanian Prime Minister said Romania will be able to provide assistance to the
    Republic of Moldova in case the Russian energy giant Gazprom suspends gas
    deliveries to this country. Romania will be able to deliver as much as 5
    million cubic meters per day, the Romanian official added.


    NOBEL – Swedish paleogeneticist Svante Pääbo on Monday was
    awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2022. The 67-year-old
    researcher was rewarded for his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct
    hominins and human evolution. Last year, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or
    Medicine was scooped by Americans Ardem Pataputian and David Julius for their
    discoveries of thermal and mechanical transducers. The Nobel Prizes in Physics
    and Chemistry will be announced on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, while
    the recipients of the Nobel Prizes in Literature and Peace will be made public
    on Thursday and Friday, respectively. The final prize in economy will be
    announced next week. Each Nobel Prize is accompanied by a 10-million Swedish
    Krona (the equivalent of some 920 thousand EUR). (VP)

  • August 23, 2022 UPDATE

    August 23, 2022 UPDATE

    BLACK RIBBON DAY – The Day of
    Remembrance for the Victims of Fascism and Communism is the best opportunity to
    pay tribute to all those who experienced the horrors of totalitarian regimes
    and to reiterate our firm commitment to reject extremism, intolerance and
    hatred, said president Klaus Iohannis in a statement. He recalled that on August
    23, 1939, the entire world, not just Central and Eastern Europe, was condemned
    to a cruel future, adding that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was a criminal
    conspiracy in the wake of which entire generations were exposed to the toxic
    and barbarian effects of totalitarian ideologies with grave long-term
    consequences. Iohannis also spoke of King Michael I’s decision to break off
    Romania’s alliance with Hitler’s Germany on August 23 1944 and to join the
    United Nations, a decision which contributed to shortening the war. August 23
    was established by the European Parliament in 2008 as a Europe-wide Day of
    Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, also
    known as Black Ribbon Day.


    UKRAINE – The Parliament and Government
    buildings in Bucharest were on Tuesday lit blue and yellow to mark the
    Ukrainian Flag Day and the Ukrainian Independence Day. Romanian authorities are
    thus reasserting their solidarity, joining initiatives designed to boost
    international support for this country. Romania has taken a firm position
    together with Ukraine and against the unprovoked, illegal and irrational
    military aggression launched by Russia. Our solidarity with Ukraine is owed not
    just to geographical proximity, but to democratic values and principles
    underlying the resistance of our Ukrainian neighbors, Prime Minister Nicolae
    Ciucă said in a press release. The Romanian official pointed out Romania will
    continue to support Ukraine and provide a home to people who are forced to flee
    their homeland due to the war.


    DROUGHT – The Mediterranean regions
    remain threatened by abnormal drought until November, when close to
    normal conditions are expected in most of the EU, the European Commission
    says. The areas worst hit by the lack of precipitation are central and southern
    Portugal, the whole of Spain, the south of France, Hungary, Romania and the
    Republic of Moldova. Linked by scientists to global warming, these
    exceptionally hot and dry weather conditions have significantly reduced the
    yield of summer crops, according to experts quoted by France Presse. The corn,
    sun flower and soy harvests are worst hit.


    EXPORT – In the first five months of
    the year, Romania exported grain and grain-based products worth 2.155 billion
    EUR, up 77% compared with the previous period last year, according to figures
    published by the National Institute for Statistics. The largest amount of
    exports was recorded in March. Between January and May, however, Romania also
    imported grain and grain-based products worth 683.5 million EUR.


    FORESTS – The National Forest Strategy
    for 2030 which was unveiled on Monday at an event hosted by the Transylvania
    University in Braşov lays emphasis on making owners themselves more responsible
    and involved and proposes a new approach to checks and restrictions, said the environment
    minister Tanczos Barna. He underlined that this new strategy was drafted in the
    last two years with the help of forestry experts, NGOs, institutions and other
    persons interested in this field and said this is a historic step
    for Romanian forests. Expanding forested areas is one of the most important
    elements of the strategy. Romania is the first country to present its forest
    strategy after the publication of a similar document at European Union level.


    AWARDS – The Government has decided to increase
    by 50% financial awards bestowed to athletes reaping medals in international
    competitions, Romania’s Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă has announced. The
    Romanian official said a law would be adopted in next week’s government
    meeting. Right now, this is all the budget allows us, and I hope your
    achievements will also inspire us to report better economic and financial
    results so as to reward your efforts appropriately, the Prime Minister told
    athletes. In a special ceremony, government officials congratulated athletes
    who grabbed medals at the European table tennis and rowing championships, as
    well as at the world judo and fencing championships. (VP)



  • International support for Ukraine

    International support for Ukraine

    Western states and institutions will continue to provide support in any
    way possible to Ukraine, including by adopting new sanctions against Russia and
    continuing to isolate Moscow on the global stage. These are the conclusions of
    the first round of consultations called by US president Joe Biden and attended
    by NATO, EU and G7 leaders. Representing Romania was president Klaus Iohannis.
    According to the Presidency, global leaders analyzed the security context and prospects,
    as well as the serious humanitarian crisis resulted from the withdrawal of
    Russian troops from occupied regions. They condemned the crimes against
    civilians and the massive destruction caused in residential areas and the
    damages to civilian infrastructure, and reiterated their firm support for the activity
    of the International Criminal Court in investigating, judging and sentencing
    those responsible.

    In his address, president Iohannis highlighted the crucial
    importance of maintaining close cooperation and unity at Euro-Atlantic level,
    as well as with all partners who share the same vision. The Romanian president firmly
    condemned the crimes committed by Russian troops against the civilians and the
    continuous bombing targeting civilian targets. On the other hand, Klaus
    Iohannis referred to Romania’s actions to support Ukraine at political,
    logistical and humanitarian level. Additionally, Romania helps hundreds of
    thousands of Ukrainian refugees who enter the country, including by providing
    them with accommodation. The president also underscored the broad impact of the
    current crisis on the security framework on the eastern flank, especially in
    the Black Sea. Klaus Iohannis reaffirmed the importance of swiftly implementing
    the decisions of the extraordinary NATO summit of March regarding the
    accelerated setup of a battlegroup in Romania, as a first step towards balancing
    and consolidating NATO’s long-term presence on the eastern flank.

    According to
    the Romanian president, the serious security situation once again proves the
    need to consolidate NATO’s deterrence and defense posture in the region, and
    also referred to the decisions regarding the transformation and long-term adaptation
    of the Alliance, which are expected to be discussed at the NATO Summit in
    Madrid in June. Romania’s president also underlined the need to support the
    efforts of the Republic of Moldova at political and economic level with a view
    to managing the flow of Ukrainian refugees, as well as to help this country
    deal with the energy crisis. The Romanian official also called for firm and
    coordinated action in order to eliminate energy reliance on Russia, saying that
    sanctions turned out to be an effective instrument. (VP)