August 27

Newsflash

România Internațional, 27.08.2013, 13:46

The beginning of the works on the Iasi — Ungheni gas pipeline, which links Romania and the Republic of Moldova, is a remarkable moment in the cooperation between the two countries and the EU. The statement was made today by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca, at the inauguration ceremony. Attending the event, the European Commissioner for Energy, Gunther Oettinger, stated that this pipeline has a strategic importance for both countries. The ceremony was also attended by the Romanian PM, Victor Ponta, who had previously congratulated the Moldavan citizens on the 22nd anniversary of their country’s independence from the Soviet Union.

Bucharest is these days hosting the annual meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy, organized by the Foreign Ministry. The special guests to the event are the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevicous and the Viceprime-minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gherman. The 3 day meeting will approach topics regarding European affairs, eastern vicinity, Romania’s relations with global players in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, economic and cultural diplomacy.

The Romanian Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian is paying a formal visit to Kiev today, accompanied by a governmetn delegation. The purpose of the visit is to resume negotiations on the recovery of the expenses made by Romania as partner to the building of the Acid Ore Enrichment Works in Krivoi Rog, which started in 1983, during the time of the Soviet Union. Also involved in the project were the Democratic Republic of Germany, Cechoslovakia and Bulgaria. Constructions works stopped in 1990, after 70% of the project had been completed.

Romania’s President Traian Basescu has voiced worries over the rise of unemployment and the accelerated drop in foreign direct investment in Romania. According to the head of state, who quoted figures provided by the National Statistics Institute, the unemployment rate in Romania reached 7.6% in June, one percent higher than in the same month in 2012. In the first quarter of 2013, foreign direct investment dropped by 20%. Against this background, the president called on the Romanian government to boost public investment and use European funds.