Radio România Internațional

Tag: Ukrainian

  • Romanian competent aid for Ukrainian refugees

    Romanian competent aid for Ukrainian refugees


    The Workshops without Frontiers Association this past weekend organized a Jobs market for Ukrainian refugees. The event was hosted by the Viilor Economic College in Bucharest. Among other things, participants were offered help in composing their CVs and letters of intention. Also available were interpreters/translators for those Ukrainian refugees who were in need of that, as well as mediations between candidates and employers.



    The Workshops without Frontiers Association has made public the fact that they were among the first such associations to have accepted the employment of refugees from Ukraine, in their own workshops but also via a string of services meant to facilitate the refugees access to jobs in Romania. In 2022, the Association organized free-of-charge Romanian language courses for 224 people, as well as workshops focusing on facilitating the understanding of the legal framework of the work environment in Romania. The Association also organized CV writing workshops, labor market counselling and assessment activities, but also community events for the Ukrainian refugees. The aforementioned event was part of a project financed by the United Nations High Command for Refugees. The event was carried with the support from Ilfov Countys Employment Agency.



    The Municipality of Brasov, a city located in central Romania on October the 2nd inaugurated a services hub for the refugees from Ukraine. Involved in the undertaking were 10 associations or foundations from across Brasov municipal city. Attending the event was the representative in Romania of the United Nations High Command for Refugees, Pablo Zapata. The associations involved in the hub labelled KATYA offer educational services for children, support for the job seekers as well as mental health assistance and psycho-social support. Also, the associations provide facilitators for translations in the case of the Ukrainian refugees who intend to access healthcare services in Romania. The hub is a project of Brasov Metropolitan Agency for Sustainable Development Hub-ul, carried in partnership with the Terre des Hommes Foundation in Romania. The hub has the support of the United Nations High Command for Refugees. As present, KATYA has roughly 500 beneficiaries. The Ukrainian citizens who need the services of the hub can ask for help or additional info accessing an email address, at katyahub@metropolabrasov.ro.



    Tulcea County Employment Agency, in the south-east, on September 27 staged an event themed The Entrepreneurial and digital competencies in the context of todays labor market current demands. The event targeted a group of 13 Ukrainian high-school students from the town of Izmail. Accompanying and guiding the group of high-school students was an information, communication and selection officer of Suceava Cross-Border Regional Cooperation Office. As part of the event, the young pupils got info on the free-of-charge services offered by the Tulcea County Employment Agency, for job seekers. Basically, the information focused on the required labor market competencies, with a view to enhancing productivity and providing decent jobs, as well as on the importance of entrepreneurial and digital skills. Also, the pupils visited the entrepreneurial consultancy Centre and were given detailed info on howe to access and use the CREDA-DEBUS portal. CREDA -DEBUS is a communication platform providing info on the improvement of quality and access to entrepreneurial education. CREDA-DEBUS seeks to develop at least 75 business plans, for a 12-month timeframe.



    Border policemen in western Romanias Timis County this past weekend stopped nine citizens of Nepal and Pakistan, in their attempt to illegally cross the Romanian-Serbian border. Aged 25 to 46, the foreign citizens trespassed the Romanian territory having a work permit, yet they stated they intended to reach western Europe. The case is definitely not a one-of-a-kind one. On September 29, Timis County border policemen caught other 11 citizens from Nepal and Egypt, aged 22 to 38, in their attempt to cross Romanias Serbian border illegally. Just as in the aforementioned illegal border crossing case, those citizens had entered Romanian territory illegally having work permits, yet they intended to reach countries in Western Europe.



    Every week, dozens of foreign workers arriving in Romania and having a labour contract are caught at the countrys western border, in their attempt to flee Romania illegally. They are detained for fraudulent crossing of state border. In such cases, legal sentences range from a fine to imprisonment from 6 month to 3 years.




  • European funds for Ukrainian grain exports

    European funds for Ukrainian grain exports

    Ukraine is dependent on the
    European transport corridors after its exports and imports by sea have been
    suspended by the blockade imposed by Russia. According to present data, over
    May 2022 and August 2023, these solidarity corridors have allowed Ukraine to
    export over 53 million tons of farm products, including roughly 48 million tons
    of cereals and other similar products. These exports are estimated to have brought
    Ukraine 38 billion euros in income. At the same time, Ukraine imported via the
    solidarity corridors goods with a total value of roughly 70 billion euro. ‘This
    proves that our economic partnership leads to an increase in exports and
    imports’, the European Commissioner for Transport, Romanian Adina Valean, said
    during a meeting she had with the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure,
    Oleksandr Kubrakov.

    The European
    Commissioner has also announced the launch by the European Commission of a new
    fund scheme for the infrastructure used in the Ukrainian exports through the
    member states. We want to ensure the future integration of the Ukrainian
    railway system with the EU transport system through the introduction of the
    European standard gauge with a view to having a railway connection along
    Ukraine from the city of Lviv to Iasi, in eastern Romania, and farther to Chisinau,
    in the Republic of Moldova. The infrastructure resulted and that we have
    streamlined in the past 16 months is here to stay and represents a ‘de facto’
    integration from the viewpoint of infrastructure of Ukraine in the EU single
    market, the EU commissioner went on to say.


    60% of the goods shipped through
    the solidarity corridors is transiting Romania. We are speaking here about
    roads as well as the Danube and the Black Sea port of Constanta – the most
    important points in the Ukrainian exports.


    Under these circumstances,
    Romania could obtain a big part of the funding scheme if it came with projects
    until the deadline in January, when the scheme is closed. Down the Danube
    along its border with Ukraine and then the port of Constanta are two points,
    which could attract consistent European funding, Adina Vălean added. On one
    had we are talking about measures of streamlining the operations in the port of
    Constanta, on the other hand we are talking about increasing the capabilities
    of transferring the goods from one ship to the other. We are having talks about
    the purchase of specific equipment to be shipped to the port of Constanta the
    Commissioner has explained. The novelty of the aforementioned 7 billion euro
    funding scheme resides in the permission granted to the Republic of Moldova and
    Ukraine to apply with projects in conditions similar to those of the member
    states, without having to have a community partner.


    (bill)

  • March 19, 2023 UPDATE

    March 19, 2023 UPDATE

    VISIT The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis, currently
    on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, Sunday travelled to Masdar
    City, a model of sustainable urban development with solutions centered around
    energy efficiency and environment protection. The Romanian official was presented
    solutions for transport and urban cooling and ventilation, building energy
    generation and optimum usage of natural light in schools and research
    institutions. The solutions tested in Masdar City may be an inspiration for
    other cities increasingly interested in sustainability, including in Romania. Contributions
    to these solutions come, among others, from Romanian researchers as well,
    affiliated to research institutes in Masdar City, the Romanian presidency said
    in a news release. President Iohannis will be in the UAE until Tuesday, at the
    invitation of his counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The main
    goals of the visit include strengthening the political and diplomatic dialogue
    on topics of mutual interest, encouraging bilateral economic relations, which
    are already on a significant positive trend, and attracting investments in the
    Romanian economy through projects in fields like infrastructure, energy,
    climate change, cybersecurity and food security.


    REFUGEES The Romanian Border Police Inspectorate General
    announced that on Saturday as many as 86,342 people entered Romania using
    border checkpoints around the country. Of them, 8,510 were Ukrainian nationals.
    Since February 10, 2022, two weeks before the Russian invasion of their
    country, nearly 3.8 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. Most of them have
    travelled further on to western European countries, but around 100,000 of them
    have chosen to stay in Romania, according to the authorities in Bucharest.


    DIPLOMACY The Romanian diplomacy chief Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Monday in the Foreign Affairs Council, a meeting of EU foreign ministers in
    Brussels. He will also attend the joint meeting of EU foreign and defence
    ministers, as well as in a conference of international donors for Turkey and
    Syria, in the aftermath of the February earthquakes. The Foreign Affairs
    Council will focus on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the dialogue between
    Belgrade and Pristina, the situation in Tunisia and the latest developments in
    Iran. Bogdan Aurescu will plead for continuing multidimensional support for Ukraine,
    both at EU level and from the member states, with a focus on the quick
    provision of military equipment and training for the Ukrainian army. According
    to the Romanian foreign ministry, Mr. Aurescu will also support a consolidation
    of the sanctions against Russia and a more efficient implementation of current
    restrictions.


    MILITARY Over 3,000 troops from Romania and 12 Allied and partner
    states will take part in the Sea Shield 2023 multinational exercise, the most
    complex event planned and spearheaded by the Romanian Navy this year. Taking
    part in the event between March 20 and April 2 are forces from Albania,
    Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Greece, Poland, Portugal, UK, the Netherlands, the Republic
    of Moldova, Romania, the US and Turkey. The exercise contributes to promoting
    Romania’s interests and initiatives at regional and international level, as
    well as to enhancing inter-operability among the participating countries. Sea
    Shield, a complex concept designed for the training of NATO forces, was
    proposed by Romania at NATO’s summit in Warsaw in 2016, to boost security on
    the Eastern flank.


    HANDBALL Romania’s women’s handball champions, Rapid Bucharest, were
    defeated on Sunday by Slovenia’s Krim Ljubljana, 29-24, in the first leg of the
    playoffs for the Champions’ League quarter-finals. The second leg takes place
    in Bucharest. This is Rapid’s first presence in the Champions’ League, and the
    match against the Slovenian champions is also the team’s first march in European
    competitions with the Danish manager Kim Rasmussen, who replaced Carlos Viver (Spain).
    If they qualify into the quarter-finals, Rapid will be facing Kristiansand (Norway).
    Romania’s vice-champions, CSM Bucharest, have already qualified into the
    quarter-finals, where they will take on the winner of the playoff between the
    French side Brest and the Danish team Esbjerg. (AMP)

  • November 6, 2022 UPDATE

    November 6, 2022 UPDATE

    GAS
    According to data released by the national company Transgaz, on Monday morning
    Romania will rely on 3 billion cubic meters of stored gas, which is tantamount
    to a storage degree of 97.7% of its total capacity. Romania has exceeded the
    quantity of stored gas in the same period last year by 701 million cubic meters.
    The minimum threshold of 80% approved for Romania in the new European
    Commission regulation was attained on September 17.








    REFUGEES According to the Romanian border police, roughly 187 thousand
    people crossed Romania’s borders either to enter or to leave the country on
    Saturday. They were Romanian and foreign citizens who used over 50,500 vehicles.
    Out of them 9,158 were Ukrainian nationals, 16.81% more than the previous day.
    According to a press release, since February 10th, two weeks before
    the Russian invasion, 2.7 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. Most
    of them transited the country for other destinations and over 86,500 decided to
    stay in Romania.










    SUPPORT Authorities in Bucharest are presently
    considering a series of alternatives to ease the access of population to firewood, after
    the initial cap of 80 Euros per cubic meter has led to a market crisis. One of
    the options could be the idea of granting vouchers to the needy. According to
    the country’s Environment Minister Tanczos Barna, the ordinance on capping
    firewood prices will be amended next week so that it may truly protect those
    who use firewood for heating in winter. He explains that the law, formerly
    endorsed by the Senate, will be amended in the Chamber of Deputies so that
    firewood may become available on the market again. A couple of days ago, the
    country’s Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca admitted the initial capping measures
    had failed to yield the desired result. The opposition USR has drawn attention
    to the fact that the law has already caused irregularities on the firewood
    market.






    THEATRE The National Theatre Festival (NTF)
    continues in Romania until November 13. Theatre performances during this event
    will have in-person attendance, after two years of pandemic with online
    performances. The NTF includes over 60 theatre shows that have been mounted by
    state and independent theatre troupes from Romania and abroad. The festival,
    which this year unfolds under a suggestive motto, ‘Fragile borders. Fluid
    histories’ also boasts an on-air section including a series of exquisite radio
    shows.










    ENERGY Romania is presently covering over 90% of
    the neighboring Republic of Moldova’s need for electricity, Romanian Foreign
    Minister Bogdan Aurescu has told a TV channel. According to him, the situation has
    become severe in the neighboring country, which relies 100% on foreign supplies
    of gas and electricity. Aurescu has also mentioned Romania’s support for the
    neighboring country consisting in firewood and oil fuel. Romania has also called on the international community to give
    grants to the Republic of Moldova so that the country may buy energy on the
    free market. After the Russian invasion, Ukraine became unable to export energy
    to the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, Russian giant Gazprom announced
    in October its intention to diminish gas supplies to the Republic of Moldova due to
    the alleged disputes over the payment and the refusal of the Ukrainian pipeline
    operator to provide an all-out service for the transport of the Russian gas.
    According to Moldovan president Maia Sandu her country is presently seeing the
    severest energy crisis in its history.


    (bill)

  • Bucharest is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East

    Bucharest is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East

    Through its Foreign Ministry, Romania
    has announced it is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East after
    Iran acknowledged against the political turmoil last week that it had shot down
    a Ukrainian passenger plane. According to the diplomacy in Bucharest, the
    monitoring includes the observance of the Vienna convention, which regulates
    the diplomatic relations and the liberty to associate in public places.








    Hundreds of students gathered in
    Tehran on Saturday night to bring homage to the 176 victims mostly Iranian and
    Canadian of the 737 Boeing plane shot down by mistake by an Iranian missile
    shortly after its take-off from the Tehran airport. Iran’s Islamic
    Revolutionary Guard Corps have assumed responsibility for shooting down the
    passenger plane of Ukraine Airlines International.






    Missiles fired due to human error
    have regrettably caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane and the death
    of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify and prosecute this
    great tragedy and unforgivable mistake. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply
    regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning
    families. I offer my sincerest condolences, Iranian president Hassan Rohani
    wrote on Twitter.








    In response his Ukrainian
    counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev expects Tehran to conduct
    complete investigation so that the culprits may be punished and Iran offer
    compensations. In turn, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he expects
    the Iranian authorities to fully cooperate in the investigation over the
    incident and that his government is working together with foreign partners to
    make sure the investigation is complete and detailed.








    The EU High Representative for
    Foreign, Security and Defence Policies Josep Borrell has summoned the EU
    foreign ministers, Romania’s Bogdan Aurescu included for a special session on
    Middle East issues. During the session, the head of the Romanian diplomacy has
    urged the EU members to get actively involved in easing tensions and boosting
    dialogue in the region. Aurescu has equally voiced Romania’s support for NATO’s
    increased role in the Middle East and in fighting terrorism. Bucharest believes
    in the EU & NATO complementary action.




    (translated by bill)