March 12, 2024

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 12.03.2024, 13:55

NATO – Romania firmly supports NATO’s Open Door Policy, and Sweden’s accession proves that NATO’s door remains open and that together we are stronger, the Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, said. On Monday, the ceremony of raising the flags of Sweden, Romania and NATO took place at the Defense Ministry’s headquarters in Bucharest, on the occasion of Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance. During the ceremony, Minister Tîlvăr said that Sweden, as a member of NATO, will equally contribute to the development of the Alliance’s policies and decisions, as well as to the consolidation of the allied forces. The flag of Sweden, which became the 32nd NATO member, was raised on the same day at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, in the presence of the Swedish Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Alliance.

RULING – The Constitutional Court in Chișinău ruled Monday that the phrase “Romanian language” is maintained in all the legislation of the Republic of Moldova, including in the Constitution. The Court thus rejected a move submitted last year by a group of socialist and communist MPs following Parliament’s implementation of a Court ruling from 2013 on the name of the country’s official language.

PROTESTS – Hundreds of local policemen are protesting for two days, starting today, in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, the National Trade Union Bloc, to which the protesters are affiliated, announced. The main demands are the full compliance with the provisions of the law regarding the inclusion of the activity on weekly rest days and public holidays and the provision of mandatory food allowances. The trade unionists also demand the introduction into the legislative session of the POCA project (Administrative Capacity Operational Program) developed by the Ministry of Development, as well as the status of the local police. The National Trade Union Bloc reminds that, in December 2023, the National Federation of United Local Police Unions started a public campaign to draw attention to the importance of local police officers in society.

BUCHAREST – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis hailed, on Tuesday, in Bucharest, during a joint press conference with his counterpart from Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, the “firm measures” taken by this country in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Iohannis gave assurances that Romania will continue to support Montenegro and the other states in the Western Balkans against Russia’s destabilizing actions. At the same time, he praised the evolution of Montenegro on the path of reforms needed in the EU accession process and encouraged their continuation. He also said Romania would continue to support the European integration of Montenegro. In addition to historical relations, Romania and Montenegro are linked by security issues and, as NATO members, we are focused on the stability of the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region, Jakov Milatovic said. On a bilateral level, the two heads of state discussed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation.

INVESTMENT – The net investment made by Romania’s economy last year totaled almost 190 billion lei (some 38 billion euros). According to the National Statistics Institute, the figure represents an increase by around 17% as compared with last year. Most investment was made in new buildings and transportations means.

COUNCIL – The Romanian Finance Minister Marcel Bolos is today taking part in the Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Brussels. Among the topics on the agenda are the recovery and resilience mechanism. Ministers will also discuss the economic and ficnancial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Presidency and the Commission will inform the ministers about the main results of the G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors held on 26-29 February 2024. The Ministers of Economic and Financial Affairs will also participate later today in a debate with the Ministers of Employment and of Social Affairs regarding investments and social reforms for resilient economies. (EE)