October 16, 2017
New proposals for ministers in Bucharest
Newsroom, 16.10.2017, 14:09
Govt reshuffle — The Romanian PM Mihai Tudose is today presenting President Klaus Iohannis with the proposals for new ministers to replace several outgoing ministers. Paul Stănescu was proposed for the Ministry of Development to replace Sevil Shhaideh, Felix Stroe is the proposal for the Transport Ministry replacing outgoing Răzvan Cuc and Marius Nica is the proposal for the Ministry for European Funds to replace Rovana Plumb. Shhaideh and Plumb are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) in a corruption case while Cuc will be replaced for the bad performance of his ministry. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, partners of the Social Democrats in the ruling coalition, announced they would not withdraw their representative, Viorel Ilie, minister for the relation with Parliament, who is also being investigated by the DNA in an influence peddling case.
Luxembourg — The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu is today participating in Luxembourg in the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting. According to a Foreign Ministry communiqué the agenda of the meeting includes topical issues such as the situation in Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and human rights. During a working lunch, the ministers will also tackle the issue of Turkey and the regional situation.
London — The British PM Theresa May is today meeting in Brussels with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, several days ahead of a European summit devoted to Brexit. The EU heads of state and government will meet Thursday and Friday to draw the conclusions of the discussions held so far regarding the UK’s leaving the European Union. After the 5th round of talks held last week the European chief negotiator Michel Barnier deplored with concern the deadlock reached in the discussions. Meanwhile, in London, the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, on Sunday had an informal meeting with his counterparts from several European states, including the Romanian FM.
Trade Winds — The largest trade promotion event organized annually by the American Department of Commerce, Trade Winds, will gather in Bucharest between October 18-20 as many as 100 American companies which will get in contact with over 50 Romanian companies. Participating in the event are big American companies such as IBM, Patriot – Raytheon, Kestral, Harris Corporation (space intelligence), SAS Institute (software), Perry Baromedical Corporation (a producer of medical equipment) as well SMEs from the US which are of interest for Romania especially in terms of know-how transfer and innovation. The event will be attended by the Romanian PM and several other ministers. According to a government communiqué, the initiative of the American Department of Commerce to organize the 10th edition of Trade Winds in Romania and another 4 states in Southeastern Europe, namely Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece and Serbia, proves the importance the US Administration is attaching to this region and to Bucharest in particular.
Vienna — Also promising a tough policy against immigration by reducing the number of refugees and workers from the EU’s eastern countries, the Austrian People’s Party and its young leader, Sebastian Kurz (31) won Sunday’s legislative elections, which marks the return of the rightwing to power. According to partial results, the Austrian People’s Party, a conservative party, got around 31% of the votes, followed by the far right Freedom Party with almost 27% and the Social Democratic Party with 26%.
