THE WEEK IN REVIEW
April 17-21, 2023
Corina Cristea, 21.04.2023, 17:25
President Klaus Iohannis on tour in Central America
President Klaus Iohannis is on tour in Central America until April 26. The official visits to Brazil, Chile, and Argentina are aimed to relaunch political and diplomatic relations, as well as relations in other areas of interest. In a press release, the presidential administration recalled that Latin America is home to countries that are full or aspiring OECD members, with emerging economies, which contribute, or could significantly contribute, globally, to food security, energy and climate security, post-pandemic economic recovery, and sustainable development. Another main aim of these official visits is also to present Romania’s positions and evaluation – as a member state of the EU and NATO – regarding the illegal war waged by Russia in neighboring Ukraine, and ways to counteract its effect. Brazil condemns the Russian invasion in Ukraine, according to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, speaking at a joint conference with President Klaus Iohannis. During the talks, the head of the Romanian state presented to his counterpart the consequences of this war on multiple levels, from the refugee crisis to the food and energy one. Klaus Iohannis reiterated that Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression, and that the international community has the duty to support Kiev in its war to liberate the country. In turn, President da Silva said that, in addition to the trade and political relations his country has with Romania, human relations are also important, because more than 40,000 citizens of Romanian origin live in Brazil. The two leaders also adopted a common declaration regarding the development of bilateral relations between Brazil and Romania in various areas. The visit to Brazil concluded in Rio de Janeiro, where the Romanian head of state held talks to local authorities, and signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in climate change, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as forest management and monitoring.
Measures to support farmers
Romanian farmers affected by imports of cheap Ukrainian grain will get from the state an aid budget of 10 million Euro, according to a government statement on Thursday in Bucharest. This amount is added to the 10 million Euro granted so far by the EC. The money will be granted to grain producers for expenses related storing their last year product in their own spaces or with third parties. Romanian farmers, who had recently been protesting, claimed that their losses reached more than 200 million Euro because of grain imports from Ukraine, which is around 100 Euro cheaper per ton. Meanwhile, the EC announced a second aid package for farmers, 100 million Euro, shared between five countries – Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. Romania is the only country close to Ukraine that still allows in grain from that country. Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have banned such imports in order to protect their farmers, and will be joined by Bulgaria in a few days time. Hungary also banned imports of honey and some meat products until 30 June. From Brussels, the EC called on the four states to reverse the restrictive measures they took individually, which are considered by the commission to be illegal, and in violation of the treaty of integration, as well as of the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine.
Simple motion against the Minister of Agriculture
The simple motion in the Romanian Parliament against Minister of Agriculture Petre Daea was voted down. Opposition parties were accusing Daea of being personally responsible for the rise in basic foodstuffs, but also of failing to obtain sufficient European funds for Romanian farmers affected by grain imports from Ukraine. The minister rejected the accusations, and specified that his intervention in managing the cheap Ukrainian grain crisis led to the distribution of the first batches of European money for farmers. Daea said that these accusations are not based on real data. He added that he had continual dialog with EC representatives, which he sustained in help of the farmers. He concluded that there was no risk that Romanian farmers would fail to obtain this year’s subsidies.
Medals for Romanian athletes
Romania prevailed in the European weightlifting competition in Armenia, which is a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It got first place with 14 medals, of which 9 gold. Mihaela Cambei grabbed three gold medals in the 49 kg category, Andreea Cotruta got three gold in the 55 kg category, while Loredana Toma got the other three, in the 71 kg category. Of the 3 silver medals, two were won by Cosmina Pana, 45 kg, and the other by Valentina Iancu, 55 kg. The two bronze medals were grabbed by Valentina Iancu, who won it in both contests. Romania had a delegation that was nine strong, three men and six women, with the aim of winning at least four medals and six 4th to 6th places. Also this week, Romanian women athletes won accolades and medals at the European wrestling championships in Zagreb, Croatia.
