<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Ludovic Orban on a
\nvisit to Brussels<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Upon his first official visit to
\nBrussels since his Government took office last November, Prime Minister Ludovic
\nOrban met with several high-ranking EU and NATO officials over the course of
\nthe three-day visit. Prime Minister Orban and NATO Secretary General Jens
\nStoltenberg on Thursday discussed, among other things, cooperation within NATO,
\nthe developments in the Middle East and security in the Black Sea region. Secretary
\nStoltenberg hailed Romania’s contribution to the training mission in Iraq, stating
\nNATO has the possibility of doing more in the Middle East, just as President
\nDonald Trump has asked. Ludovic Orban said the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance
\nis a major partner of Romania, reiterating Bucharest’s full support for the
\nfulfillment of the organization’s goals. The Romanian Prime Minister said
\nRomania would continue to take part in NATO missions and initiatives concerning
\nNATO’s advanced presence on its eastern flank, as well as in Afghanistan,
\nKosovo and Iraq. Secretary Stoltenberg hailed Romania’s efforts to earmark 2%
\nof its GDP to defense spending, pointing out the Black Sea region is of
\nstrategic importance to NATO. Also in Brussels, Prime Minister Orban met with
\nthe European Council President, Charles Michel, saying Romania would promote
\nthe EU’s strategic agenda, which is bound to protect citizens and liberties and
\nbuild a green, equitable and climate-neutral Europe, as well as help promote European
\nvalues and interests at global level. Orban subsequently had talks with the EU
\nChief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, both highlighting the importance
\nof the agreement struck with Great Britain regarding its withdrawal, especially
\nin terms of protecting citizens’ rights. During his meeting with European
\nParliament President, David Sassoli, Ludovic Orban reiterated Romania’s plea to
\njoin the Schengen Area, an objective supported by the European Parliament.
\nTalks also focused on negotiations over the upcoming multiannual financial framework
\nand the European Ecological Pact. Orban expressed concern over the possible
\nnegative consequences the implementation of the Green Pact would have on the
\ncompetitiveness of European companies. Measures to reform the Romanian
\njudiciary as well as Bucharest’s economic policies were high on the agenda for
\ntalks with the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The two
\nalso tackled topics pertaining to the future of Europe. Romania is a serious,
\nresponsible partner committed to attaining EU goals and implementing
\nregulations adopted by community institutions, Romania’s Prime Minister Ludovic
\nOrban said. The EU is Romania’s ally as it prepares for the digital era,
\nrelying on Bucharest’s support, which enjoys an outstanding reputation in this
\nfield, the EU official said in turn. <\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Romania and the developments in the
\nMiddle East<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The headline-grabbing event this week
\nwas the US-Iran crisis, triggered by the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani,
\nthe commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In retaliation, Teheran
\nlaunched missile attacks on US military bases in Iraq. The attacks have outraged
\nthe international community, including Romania, which decided to temporarily
\nrelocate its 14 military deployed to Iraq. Bucharest authorities have called
\nfor a calm and diplomatic solution to the crisis. Foreign Minister Bogdan
\nAurescu:<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Romania firmly reiterates its call
\nfor the de-escalation of tensions. Our Romanian military part of the anti-DAESH
\ninternational coalition haven’t been affected, which is good news. Also,
\nconsidering some of the missiles targeted the Erbil region, which is home to some
\n180 Romanian citizens, our General Consulate in Erbil has confirmed the absence
\nof any casualties.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
In turn, president Klaus Iohannis
\ncalled for a larger implication of NATO in the Middle East, both in terms of
\nsecurity and reconstruction, the latter being to Romania’s particular interest.
\nPresident Iohannis said the latest developments in the Middle East might impact
\nEurope’s security as well, not just the actors involved. The President said
\nRomania is in permanent contact with its European and NATO partners, especially
\nthe United States, and that our country supports the integrity, unity and
\nsovereignty of Iraq. Klaus Iohannis said the fight against terrorism should continue,
\ncalling on the sides involved to resume dialogue and observe their pledged
\ncommitments. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The President pays an official visit to Bavaria<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
On Tuesday the Romanian President
\nKlaus Iohannis paid a working visit to the State of Bavaria where he attended a
\nmeeting of the local government. The Romanian head of state met with the prime
\nminister of Bavaria, Markus S\u00f6der, who is the president of the Christian Social
\nUnion (CSU). The two discussed bilateral relations as well as European issues
\nsuch as the upcoming multiannual financial framework of the EU, Brexit and the
\nmigration policy. Klaus Iohannis promised Romania will get involved alongside
\nthe other member states to make the EU stronger and more united. Romania is
\nstill waiting for the go-ahead for our country’s Schengen accession, without
\nwhich the travel-free area cannot fully function, the President told MPs from
\nthe Christian Social Union. On the other hand, Klaus Iohannis launched a plea
\nfor unity, cohesion and solidarity in efforts to consolidate the European
\nproject. President Iohannis also said the EU’s top priority should be achieving
\nan undivided Europe that should bring Member States more convergence and
\nequity, with tangible benefits to its citizens. <\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
(Translated by V. Palcu)<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A roundup of the week’s top stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":124694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40944],"tags":[29912,28945,30168,31319,33238,35311],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-124712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-week-in-review","tag-bavaria","tag-klaus-iohannis","tag-ludovic-orban","tag-romania-and-nato","tag-romania-and-the-eu","tag-us-iran-crisis"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n