24-29 November

A review of the m ain events this past week

Florentin Căpitănescu, 30.11.2013, 13:40

The Republic of Moldova takes one step closer to the EU

The Republic of Moldova this week has signed the association and free trade agreement with the EU in Vilnius. The event occurred at the Eastern Partnership Summit, but was overshadowed by Ukraine’s decision to refrain from doing the same. On that occasion, PM Iurie Leanca said that signing these agreements symbolizes the mutual trust between his country and the EU, and said he hoped that Moldova would join the community of European states. Technically, this act signals the first step towards committing to EU integration, which the country of Georgia also took. Before the summit, the European Commission adopted a proposal to lift visa requirements for Moldovan citizens who travel with passports in compliance with biometric requirements. The European commissioner for internal affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, and the commissioner for expansion, Stefan Fule, spoke appreciatively about the decision taken by Moldova. The EC proposal will be discussed in the European Parliament and the EU Council. This improvement in relations between the former Soviet republic and the European Union is supported by Romania, its neighbor, which as of late has taken on the role of mediating this process, acting as a guarantor state for the poorest country in Europe.

Cortina

China shows increasing interest in Romania

The prime minister of China, Li Keqiang, visited Bucharest this week, a visit dedicated to improving bilateral relations and boosting trade with Romania and the other countries in the region. He was received by the head of state, Traian Basescu, who told him that Romania is totally open to increasing Chinese investments in CEE. Prime Minister Victor Ponta said, in turn, that Bucharest has the potential to be an important trading partner for Beijing, as part of the EU. Prime Minister Li expressed his agreement in the speech he held in the Romanian Parliament, and said that Romania is an important pillar for China’s cooperation with CEE. On the occasion of his visit, during which he was accompanied by a delegation of government and business representatives, Romania and China signed several agreements, especially in energy. The Chinese prime minister took this opportunity to attend the CEE- China meeting of premiers, as well as an important economic forum.

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The Romanian justice system continues to be under scrutiny in the EU

This week, European Commission experts came to Bucharest as part of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism to evaluate the progress made by Romania in reforming its judicial system. The main event during their visit was the meeting they held with Justice Minister Robert Cazanciuc. The main topics for discussion, attended by the most important magistrates in the country, were the future strategy for the development of the judicial system, judicial independence, and integrity among magistrates. The next report on this topic from the EC is due early next year. The European executive has been monitoring closely evolutions in the Romanian justice system since the country joined the Union in 2007.

Great Britain’s stance on migrant workers is criticized by the European Commission

The European Commission reiterated that the freedom of movement within the EU is non-negotiable, and criticized the proposals made by the Conservative British Prime Minister, David Cameron, with regard to changing legislation on the circulation of labor force. The president of the European executive, Jose Manuel Barroso, said that British legislation barring Romanian and Bulgarian citizens from working in Britain until 1 January 2014 borders on violating freedom of movement. In an interview with the BBC, European Labor Commissioner Laszlo Andor said that Cameron’s reaction was excessive and regrettable, and distorts reality. European officials made these statements after the British premier said in London that he plans to extend restrictions for Romanian and Bulgarian workers, and to make it harder for migrants to access social benefits. After Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU, several European countries slapped restrictions on the citizens of the two who wanted to work abroad. However, these restrictions, in compliance with standing European treaties, must expire irreversibly at the end of this year. Extending of these restrictions has sparked heated debates in the UK.

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And Romanian football teams get left behind in European competitions

The two Romanian football teams who were playing in European competitions, standing champions Steaua Bucharest and vice-champions Pandurii Tg-Jiu, failed to qualify for the European spring. Steaua drew a blank at home, nil-nil, against German side Schalke 04, in the fifth and next to last stage of the Champions League. With only 3 points, Steaua is now at the low end of its group, after Chelsea London, FC Basel of Switzerland, and Schalke 04. in the Europa League, Pandurii were thrashed in an away game by Ukrainian team Dnepr Dnepropetrovs, 4 to 1. The Romanian team has managed to gather only one point, in a group that it shares with Fiorentina from Italy and the Portuguese team Pacos Fereira.