THE WEEK IN REVIEW

30.09-4.10 2024

Corina Cristea, 05.10.2024, 13:00

German support for Romania’s accession to Schengen by land

The fastest possible accession of Romania to the Schengen area by land will contribute to ensuring the growth of economic exchanges, declared, on Monday, in Bucharest, the prime minister of the state of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, who was received by President Klaus Iohannis. The discussions focused on the development of cooperation in the economic, political, social, and educational fields, by expanding the successful projects regarding dual professional education. Two declarations of cooperation were signed – between the executive from Bucharest and that of the German federal state, and between the ministries of the interior respectively. Among German states, Baden-Württemberg is the main commercial partner of Romania, with a volume of commercial exchanges that last year reached the level of 8.32 billion euros, 12 times higher than 11 years ago. The German official also met with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. He told the latter that he wants the meetings of the mixed governmental commission to resume as soon as possible, and this is because all the new projects identified in areas of common interest such as economy, energy, environmental protection, culture, internal affairs, agriculture, education and health can be implemented as quickly as possible.

Diaspora summit

100 Romanians from the diaspora, who distinguished themselves in various fields of activity, such as entrepreneurship, management, health, art, science, or sport, were awarded during the 9th edition of the RePatriot summit, which took place on Thursday at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest. Romania is now one of the safest countries in Europe and investments are being made in all areas, was the idea highlighted at the diaspora summit. The citizens who left the country by the millions in the last 35 years must be encouraged to return, the representatives of the authorities who participated in the event argued in unison.

When will Romanians be able to travel visa-free to the USA

Romanians will be able to travel visa-free to the United States most likely next year. The Ambassador of Romania to the USA, Andrei Muraru, said

“The fiscal year in the United States has ended, and the last condition that Romania had to fulfill was satisfied. Of course, we are waiting for a confirmation from the American partners over the next period, but our assessment, based on the number of visa applications this year, as well as the strong downward trend in recent years, is that Romania has dropped below the 3% percentage of the rejection rate. Eliminating visas for the United States is the best recognition of an irreversible solidarity between Romanians and Americans.”

However, the United States ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec warned that Romania still has important steps to take in the coming months, in order to really be eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. She also said that additional consultations between the two governments will take place this fall to review Romania’s adherence to a series of previously agreed security measures.

Injured children in the Gaza Strip treated in Romanian hospitals

Foreigners are leaving Lebanon as Israel steps up its bombing of the capital Beirut. Several dozen Romanians were also evacuated in an aircraft of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense. On the other hand, in the first part of this week, eight children injured in the Gaza Strip and their 24 relatives were brought to Bucharest, in an aircraft of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, to benefit from medical treatment in hospitals in Romania. Bucharest grants this support based on the request for international assistance formulated by the World Health Organization, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

“Our support efforts are doubled by diplomatic efforts to restore security, conclude a cease-fire agreement, and release all hostages”, said the Romanian Prime Minister, who participated in the support action, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu, and Raed Arafat, the head of the Department of Emergency Situations.

Mugur Isărescu reconfirmed governor of the National Bank

The Governor of the National Bank, Mugur Isărescu, was reconfirmed by Parliament for another 5-year term. As the world’s longest-serving central bank chief, he has been in this position since 1990, with a brief one-year break during his tenure as prime minister. Leonardo Badea, first vice-governor, Florin Georgescu and Cosmin Marinescu, vice-governors, are also in the executive management of the Central Bank, voted in by Parliament. The Parliament also validated the mandates of some members of the Board of Directors of the Financial Supervisory Authority and the National Broadcasting Council. Also approved were the requests of the head of state regarding the deployment of NATO security assistance missions for Ukraine on national territory, and for the maritime training of Ukrainian personnel.