December 10, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 10.12.2024, 20:00
SCHENGEN – Austria will not oppose Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of the Schengen European free movement area, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country holds the six-month presidency of the EU Council, said in turn that EU Interior Ministers will vote on December 12 in the Justice and Home Affairs Council on Hungary’s proposal to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen area with their land borders. Romania and Bulgaria received partial access to the Schengen area starting March 31, with the opening of air and sea borders. Land border checks, however, remained in force due to Austrian opposition, motivated by Vienna’s concerns about illegal migration. Romania could thus fully join the Schengen area 17 years after becoming a EU member.
GOVERNMENT – The leaders of pro-European parties in the Romanian Parliament, PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR and the group of the national minorities, are holding talks this week to form a new government. The Social-Democrats, who came first in the December 1 election, would like the party to decide on the future government structure and continue the projects started by the current PSD-PNL government. They want to maintain the pace of investments, increase purchasing power, support the Romanian private sector and reform the state. The Liberals say they have understood the need for change coming from the electorate and want negotiations to start from a clear program of reforms to the benefit of citizens. USR representatives want a government to be formed as soon as possible, while UDMR calls for solidarity for a common vision for Romania. Negotiations between PSD, PNL, UDMR, USR and the national minorities to form a new government are taking place after these parties had signed, before the presidential election was cancelled, a resolution for a pro-European majority in Parliament. They commit to implementing reforms and supporting the country’s development and rejecting any collaboration with the political parties in the sovereigntist (ultranationalist, populist) bloc formed by AUR, SOS Romania and POT.
CLIMATE CHANGE – Romania made an argument during Tuesday’s public hearings regarding the UN General Assembly’s request to the International Criminal Court to issue an opinion concerning the obligations of states in respect of climate change. According to the Foreign Ministry, Romania joined other states as part of a core group of countries to negotiate the draft resolution of the UN General Assembly, whereby it called on the ICC to issue a consultative opinion. Participation in the proceedings reflects the importance Romania gives to the legal aspects of climate change and related effects, the Romanian MFA writes.
MOLDOVA – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday announced a new 60 mln EUR support package for Moldova, to help reform the country’s judiciary and ensure economy stability. The EU official made the announcement following talks with Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, in Brussels. President von der Leyen said she expects EU accession negotiations with Moldova to kick off next year. In turn, president Sandu said talks focused on reforms required to bring Moldova closer to the EU. The Moldovan President is on a two-day official visit to Brussels, where she is meeting EU and NATO officials to discuss various topics, including Moldova’s integration on the European single market, judicial reforms, combating corruption and consolidating the rule of law.
HANDBALL – Romania lost to Poland 24-29 in its final match in Group 1 at the European Handball Championship hosted by Austria, Hungary and Switzerland. In the first phase, Romania defeated Serbia and Czechia and lost to Montenegro. In the main group phase, our handballers defeated Sweden but lost to Hungary. The 16th edition of the European women’s championship for the first time has 24 teams in the lineup, compared to 16 in previous editions. Romania has taken part 14 times in the European Championships, winning bronze in 2010. (EE & VP)
