October 10, 2013
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Bogdan Matei, 10.10.2013, 12:00
Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean is paying a two-day formal visit to London at the invitation of his British counterpart William Hague. High on his agenda are ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, the eastern partnership and the upcoming summit in Vilnius as well as the energy security issue. Another topic on the agenda is the opening of the British labour market to the Romanian citizens as of January the 1st 2014. In an article carried by the Huffingtonpost.co.uk, the Romanian ambassador to London, Ion Jinga has pointed out to an increased hostility towards migration ahead of the liberalization of the local labour market for Romanians and Bulgarians. According to this, the Romanians who’ve found employment in Britain might find their lives and reputations ruined by deceiving statistics and the alarmist rhetoric of the politicians and the mass media.
As of today the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Romanian Dacian Ciolos is paying a visit to the Republic of Moldova, (an ex-soviet country with a Romanian speaking majority). His visit comes after the European Commission decided to open the community market to wine imports from the Republic of Moldova. The measure, which could come into effect within a couple of months, has been taken after Russia ceased its wine imports from the Republic of Moldova. In another move the European official’s visit comes before the endorsement of the association and free trade agreement between the former soviet republic and the EU ahead of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November.
Romania and Bulgaria reject the idea that there is any connection between the Schengen zone and other files, such as the Roma issue. According to a communiqué issued by the Foreign Ministry, the idea was made public following the discussion between the Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean had with his Bulgarian counterpart Kristian Vigenin. According to the communiqué, Bucharest and Sofia are reiterating the fact they have completely met the technical criteria of accession to Europe’s border free area. We recall that Paris has recently voiced reluctance concerning the two countries’ Schengen accession against the backdrop of heated debates in France over the issue of the Roma people coming from Romania.
Bucharest Auto Show 2013 has kicked off today in Bucharest with over 17 brands of cars available on view until October the 20th. Visitors will be able to see the latest makes of cars, heavy and light utility vehicles, electric and hybrid cars and motorcycles. The show also puts on view various audio and navigation systems, equipment and gears for service workshops and car washes, as well as auto and moto tuning equipment.
Three weeks after the election, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party starts exploratory talks with the environmental Greens in a bid to forge a government coalition. The move is regarded with skepticism in both camps, but the Conservatives, which got 41.5% of the votes, coming close to Parliament majority, are looking for new allies after their traditional Liberal allies have failed to clear the election threshold. The Conservatives have two alternatives, an alliance with the Social Democrats, which secured 25.7% of the votes and the Greens, which got more than 8%. Most of the Germans are waiting for an executive made up of conservatives and social democrats under the already consecrated formula, die Grosse Kolition, which worked out well during Mrs. Merkel’s first mandate between 2005 and 2009.
The incumbent president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev won the election on Wednesday by a landslide. Aliev, who took over the presidential seat from his father in 2003 has mustered almost 85% of the votes in the present election. He secured a second mandate in 2008 and backed a constitutional amendment that removed the two-term limit for holding the presidency. Although criticized for human rights violation his regime remains popular because of the country’s sustained economic growth and rising standards of living, which have come about in large part due to the country’s lucrative energy exports to Europe.
