14 May, 2016

Joining the eurozone must be a country project for Romania, said presidential advisor Leonard Orban.

Newsroom, 14.05.2016, 12:00

Joining the eurozone must be a country project for Romania, as being part of the EUs hard “nucleus” is a “fundamental issue”, also in terms of decision-making powers, said presidential advisor Leonard Orban on Friday at a debate held by the European Parliament Information Office in Romania to celebrate Europe Day. Orban insisted on the need for Romania to continue its European integration and maintain clear goals such as joining Schengen and the eurozone. He also explained that, although the European Union is faced with an “existential threat”, there is no alternative to the European project. In his opinion, the main risk facing the Union are the “centrifugal political tendencies” and what for some is the temptation to leave the Union.

Russian president Vladimir Putin raised the stakes in the dispute concerning the new US missile defence shield deployed in Romania saying Russia will have to look for ways to “neutralise emerging threats”. According to the BBC, Putin said the shield is aimed at weakening Russias nuclear power and announced plans to increase Russian defence spending. The US on Thursday opened an estimated 800 million dollar missile defence station in Deveselu, southern Romania. On Friday, another phase of the project was launched in Poland. Relations between the West and Russia have deteriorated following the latters annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula in 2014 after a referendum on self-determination that has not been recognised by the international community.

Tens of thousands of Roman Catholic pilgrims are taking part in a Pentecost procession in Sumuleu Ciuc, in the centre. The Holy Liturgy mass is also attended by the Hungarian president Ader Janos and his wife. The presidential couple are on a visit to Romania but are not attending the procession in their official capacity. Thousands of pilgrims from Hungary and other countries in Europe, as well as from Australia and America, are taking part in the procession in Sumuleu Ciuc, which is now in its 449th year.

The minister delegate liasing with the Romanians living abroad, Dan Stoenescu, on Friday attended together with the Moldovan minister for foreign affairs and European integration Lilian Darii the second meeting of the Romania-the Republic of Moldova Mass Media Consultative Council held in the Moldovan capital Chisinau. According to a press release, talks highlighted the need for legislative measures to cut the costs of Romanian and international content with Romanian subtitles so that they may become accessible for purchase by cable networks in Moldova. Another subject discussed was the possibility for Romania to provide assistance for the development of the Moldovan media. The Romania-Moldova Mass Media Consultative Council is a platform for consultation with civil society, the management of media outlets and journalists from both states with the aim of harmonising the legislative frameworks and public policies in the field of mass media.

EU trade ministers discussed on Friday the draft of the future free trade agreement with the US, which is now in its third year of negotiations. The European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom said intense efforts are made to finalise the deal, but that talks should not yield to time pressures. She also said the Union must make sure that the agreed norms comply with the European standards of quality. The European Commission would like to finalise the deal US during the Obama administration. According to Radio Romanias correspondent, a number of states and organisations have protested against the lack of concessions on the part of the US with regard to the access of European productions on US markets. The next round of talks will be held in July in Brussels.

Former UK foreign secretary David Miliband has called for an end to the refugee camp system. Miliband, who is the president of the International Rescue Committee, said refugees should become residents of the countries they have fled to, where they should have the right to employment. Ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit, Miliband said the 10% most vulnerable of the worlds 60 million refugees should be relocated to the richer countries.

The 61st Eurovision final takes place in Stockholm today, with 26 countries competing. Romania was expelled from this years contest due to the debts owed by the public TV broadcaster to the European Broadcasting Union. The neighbouring Republic of Moldova, a country with a majority Romanian-speaking population, has not qualified for the final. The Eurovisions motto this year is “Come together”.

Romanias Irina Begu today faces world no. 1 Serena Williams in the semifinals of the WTA tennis tournament in Rome. Ranked 35th in the world, Begu eased past Japans Misaki Doi on Friday to the reach the semis, while Williams defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova. This is the first time Begu and Williams meet. In the second semifinal, third seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain faces the American player Madison Keys. (Translated by: C. Mateescu)