December 22, 2015 UPDATE

Romanias National Defence Minister, Mihnea Motoc on Tuesday received the ambassador of Turkey in Bucharest, Osman Koray Ertas. High on the agenda was the complex character of the present security environment with emphasis on the latest developments in the Black Sea region. Referring to the NATO summit due in Warsaw, in 2016, the Romanian official highlighted Bucharests interest in the Alliances long term adjustment to the new types of threats, with special attention to the Black Sea, an area of common interest for both Romania and Turkey, as riparian countries, as well as the adoption of a deterring and defence stand based on a robust allied presence in NATOs eastern flank.

Newsroom, 22.12.2015, 20:03

Romanias National Defence Minister, Mihnea Motoc on Tuesday received the ambassador of Turkey in Bucharest, Osman Koray Ertas. High on the agenda was the complex character of the present security environment with emphasis on the latest developments in the Black Sea region. Referring to the NATO summit due in Warsaw, in 2016, the Romanian official highlighted Bucharests interest in the Alliances long term adjustment to the new types of threats, with special attention to the Black Sea, an area of common interest for both Romania and Turkey, as riparian countries, as well as the adoption of a deterring and defence stand based on a robust allied presence in NATOs eastern flank.

The Romanian minister delegate for the Romanians all over the world, Dan Stoenescu, on Tuesday met representatives of the Iorgu Iordan – Al Rosetti Institute of Linguistics with the Romanian Academy for talks on setting up cultural centres in the historical communities, through which the Romanian state will be promoting the preservation of the Romanian language and national identity. The Romanian official has highlighted the importance of carrying on research projects concerning the Romanians all over the world, which should lay emphasis on the unity of the Romanian language at the north and south of the Danube. According to unofficial data, over 12 million Romanians are leaving outside Romania.

Ion Sturza, the Prime Minister designate of the Republic of Moldova, an ex-soviet country with a Romanian-speaking majority, has commenced negotiations with Parliament parties in a bid to forge a government of technocrats. The Democratic Party and the 14 MPs, who on Monday defected from the Communist Party, have said they will not meet the Prime Minister designate and will not back his cabinet. Neither are the Socialists, who have called for snap election, to endorse the new government. Experts believe that under the current political conditions, Ion Sturza stands slim chances to get Parliament endorsement.

Over 51% of the Romanians trust the Presidency, which is top of the list when it comes to citizens trust in state institutions, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Romanian research center INSCOP. Among the executive institutions, first come the fire fighters with 77.5%. There follow the army, the gendarmerie, the National Anticorruption Directorate, the Romanian Intelligence Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service. As for the social and private institutions, Romanians seem to trust the church the most, with a rate of approximately 56%. Next in line come universities, the press and civil society organization. The research has also shown that the international institutions most trusted by the Romanian citizens are NATO, the UN and the EU. The barometer was made over November 26th – December 2nd 2015, on a representative sample of 1,071 Romanians aged over 18.

26 six years ago, the Communist regime in Romania saw its demise on December 22nd. Various events, including religious services were being held in Bucharest and other cities across the country to commemorate those who died back then for freedom and democracy. On Monday, the Romanian Parliament convened in solemn session to mark 26 years since the anti-Communist revolt of 1989. The Revolution started in Timisoara on December 16th and soon spread all across the country, culminating, on December 22nd, with dictator Nicolae Ceausescus flee. Over 1,000 people died and more than 3,400 were wounded between the 16th and the 25th of December 1989. Romania is the only country in the Eastern Bloc where the communist regime changed violently and where the communist leaders were executed.