June 21, 2023 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 21.06.2023, 20:00
Visit. Romania supports the start of EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova as soon as possible, said Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu in Chişinău during his first foreign trip since taking office. He was received by Moldovas president Maia Sandu and met his counterpart Dorin Recean, with whom he discussed Romanian-Moldovan collaboration in areas like security, economy, investments and infrastructure. Dorin Recean said that everything must be done for the benefit of the citizens on both banks of the River Prut. He stood for the creation of a friendly economic environment and urged Romanian businesses to invest in his country. Marcel Ciolacu reiterated Bucharests readiness to provide all necessary support to step up Moldovas process of European integration. “We are obliged to put a special emphasis on the economic area. Trade relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova last year increased by 50%, we reached almost 3.6 billion dollars and I believe that this is the right way”, Ciolacu pointed out.
Gas. OMV Petrom and Romgaz have approved the development plan for the Domino and Pelican South commercial natural gas fields in the Neptun Deep perimeter, in the Black Sea. OMV Petrom is the operator, each of the companies having a 50% stake. Up to 4 billion euros will be invested for the development phase of the project, which will generate a production of about 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Former Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă stated that Romania will soon become energy independent. He stressed that, when the exploitation of the Neptun Deep perimeter is fully operational, the domestic production will be the double of what it is today, and Romania will become the largest gas producer in the European Union.
Ukraine. Leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries are attending in the British capital London a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine. Kyiv is trying to mobilize as many states, businesses and financial institutions as possible to support the reconstruction of the country, even before the end of the war. Ukraines immediate needs are evaluated at 14 billion dollars, but a study conducted by the World Bank estimates that the recovery of the Ukrainian economy would cost 411 billion. On the eve of the conference, the European Union announced its 4-year financial offer for Ukraine, amounting to 50 billion euros. This includes loans and grants and should provide predictability to other donors and investors. In exchange, Ukraine is expected to implement an ambitious reform program needed for it to join the European Union and to guarantee investments and reduce risks. The US has announced that it will provide an additional 1.3 billon dollar aid to the Ukrainian economy, especially for basic infrastructure. Romania is represented in London by its new foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu.
NATO. The NATO Battle Group in Romania, for which France is the framework nation, represents an “important contribution to strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of the collective deterrence and defense posture in the Black Sea region and a proof of the solidity and consolidated allied commitment in the region”, said the Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, on Wednesday. He met, in Paris, with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu. The two discussed cooperation in the field of endowment programs for the Romanian Army and stressed the importance of the European Unions support for the states in the Eastern Neighborhood affected by the security situation in the region. In this context, the particularly vulnerable situation of the Republic of Moldova was highlighted. The two Defense Ministers also discussed bilateral collaboration within the framework of European initiatives for the development of capabilities. (MI)
