RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

The Week in Review, February 26 – March 4

A review of the week's main stories.

The Week in Review, February 26 – March 4
The Week in Review, February 26 – March 4

, 04.03.2017, 13:51

Reactions to the scenario concerning a two-speed Europe


On Wednesday, the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker presented 5 potential scenarios regarding the future of the EU after Brexit. The so-called ‘white paper’ marks the beginning of a process through which the 27 EU members will decide together the future of the Union. The paper analyses the way in which Europe will change in the next ten years, from the impact of new technologies on society and jobs, to doubts concerning globalization, security threats and the rise of populism. The five scenarios range from the EU becoming nothing but the single market to the possibility of a federalized Europe. One of the scenarios is that of a multi-speed Europe, with some of the member countries developing faster, without forcing the community bloc to follow the same pace. The option has already raised concern in the east, including in Romania. Bucharest stands against a multi-speed Europe, as Romanian authorities believe that such a differentiated integration might widen the economic and social gaps between the member countries. In Brussels, the Romanian MEP Victor Bostinaru called for a political debate at national level on the concept of a double-speed Europe. The issue was also tackled by Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis during the meeting he had with the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat, whose country is holding the six-month rotating presidency of the Union. The head of state stood firmly against the idea of a multi-speed Europe, saying that such a reconfiguration formula might lead to the dismantling of the Union. Both the president and Prime Minister Grindeanu stressed the need for a unitary stand on maintaining the single market and the rights of the European citizens in Great Britain, after the Brexit. The two prime-ministers also discussed the preparation process for Romania’s taking over the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of 2019.



Attracting more European funding — a priority for the Grindeanu Government


The main priority of the Romanian government is to attract European funds worth 5.2 billion Euros by the end of this year, according to the Minister of Regional Development Sevil Shhaideh, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Romania. Romania lost 3.5 billion worth of EU funds that it could have accessed between 2007-2013. From the 30 billion Euro budget earmarked for the 2014-2020 financial framework, Romania has only managed to spend one percent. At European level, the absorption rate stands at some 3% for the 2014-2020 period. In Warsaw, where he attended the meeting of the ministers in charge with cohesion policy of the Visegrad countries, plus Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia, the Romanian Minister for European Funds Rovana Plumb said that the cohesion policy after 2020 should remain the main investment pillar at EU level. Plumb also said that a strong and effective cohesion policy would generate a smart and sustainable growth, favouring inclusion in all Europe’s regions.



Investigation into the double standards used for foodstuffs sold in eastern and western Europe


The existence of double standards regarding the quality of food products sold in eastern and western Europe will be checked by the Romanian authorities as well, the Romanian Agriculture Minister Petre Daea has announced. The decision was made following accusations by several east European governments, according to which some food producers include in the products they sell in central and eastern Europe ingredients that are cheaper than those used in the West, although prices are the same. European legislation does not ban this practice, but the EU requires that the ingredients used must be clearly indicated on packaging. Producers say that the differences in composition are just a matter of local taste. The leaders of the countries members of the Visegrad Group, namely the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, want the EU to take firm measures against the food producers who include ingredients of poorer quality in the products sold on the markets of the poorer member countries.



The Romanian Foreign Minister’s visit to Budapest


Early this week, the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu paid a visit to Budapest, where he met with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto and with the Prime Minister Viktor Orban. During talks, the officials stressed the idea that the relation between Romania and Hungary must become a model, including for other countries in the region. The Romanian Foreign Minister said that the parties were considering a joint session of the two governments, preceded by a session of the Joint Romanian — Hungarian Collaboration Commission. The Hungarian Minister said that dialogue was needed in the relation between Bucharest and Budapest, and voiced hope that sensitive issues, such as the minorities’ situation, would be settled. Melescanu’s agenda also included a meeting with representatives of the Romanian community in Hungary and, as a first for a Romanian minister, a speech given at the annual meting of Hungarian diplomacy.

Eveniment top
The Week in Review Saturday, 02 November 2024

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Electoral campaigns in Romania The electoral campaign for the parliamentary elections in Romania started on the night of Thursday to Friday and will...

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Eveniment top
The Week in Review Saturday, 26 October 2024

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

The electoral campaign at the start The electoral campaign for the presidential elections in Romania started at midnight from Thursday to Friday and...

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Eveniment top
The Week in Review Saturday, 19 October 2024

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, at the European Council meeting in Brussels The leaders of the EU countries, including the Romanian President...

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Eveniment top
The Week in Review Saturday, 12 October 2024

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

The Central Electoral Office announced, on Thursday, the final list of candidates for this year’s presidential elections. There are 10...

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
The Week in Review Saturday, 05 October 2024

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

German support for Romania’s accession to Schengen by land The fastest possible accession of Romania to the Schengen area by land will...

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
The Week in Review Saturday, 28 September 2024

22-29 September, 2024

The first budget adjustment in 2024 This past week, the Romanian Executive adopted the first budget amendment this year. Although it was operated on...

22-29 September, 2024
The Week in Review Saturday, 21 September 2024

The Week in Review 16-20.09.2024

Aid for victims   Like the authorities in several European states, the Romanian authorities have also been on alert this week, after the severe...

The Week in Review 16-20.09.2024
The Week in Review Saturday, 14 September 2024

The Week in Review 9-15.09.2024

A new school year in Romania Schools must be absolutely safe for the students, the teaching staff and the rest of the educational staff, said, on...

The Week in Review 9-15.09.2024

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company