July 18, 2018

Pres. Iohannis talks European issues with PM Dancila; US ambassador supports anti-corruption in Romania

Bogdan Matei, 18.07.2018, 13:12

BUCHAREST — President Klaus Iohannis and PM Viorica Dancila talked today aspects related to the Romanian presidency of the European Council in the first half of next year. The last time that the Social Democrat prime minister was called for official talks was in May for a discussion on foreign policy, when the government announced its plans to relocate the Romanian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision the presidency disagreed with. The presidency has made repeated calls for the prime minister to resign.

BUCHAREST — The Romanian Constitutional Court is debating the challenge filed by President Klaus Iohannis on planned amendments to the law on the functioning of Supreme Council of Magistracy. The president said that Parliament provided no motivation for rejecting his request for reexamining the rules for the functioning of that body, arguing that the proposed changes adversely affect the presidents role as an independent guarantee provider for the rule of law and an independent justice system.

BUCHAREST — US Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm and FBI attache David Varner met interim head prosecutor Anca Jurma to discuss bilateral cooperation in law enforcement. The US side assured Jurma that the embassy supports her activity in the Anti-Corruption Directorate. President Klaus Iohannis recently dismissed the former head of the ACD, Laura Codruta Kovesi, compelled by a Constitutional Court decision.

WATER POLO – Romania’s national water polo side are today taking on the Slovakian representative in their second Group D match of the European Championships in Barcelona, Spain, a tournament that has brought together 16 national sides from Europe. The Romanians lost to title-holder Serbia in their debut match 5-11 and will play their last game in the group against Russia. We recall that Romania ranked 10th in the previous edition of the championships, their best performance being a 4th place in 1993 and 2006.

EURO — Standards for Eastern European states that want to adopt the Euro have been raised, according to Bloomberg. Eurozone finance ministers have proposed new conditions for states that want to adopt the common European currency, such as Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria. These measures include cooperation with the European banking union and measures to combat corruption. The EU announced it supports the candidacy of Bulgaria, and Croatia reiterated last week the fact that it plans to adopt the Euro by 2020. Romania plans to submit it candidacy by the end of the year.