A roundup of domestic and international news
ROMANIA-EU RELATIONS - Romania is a serious, responsible partner committed to attaining EU goals and implementing regulations adopted by community institutions, Romania's Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said on Thursday on the sidelines of his meeting in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The EU is Romania's ally as it prepares for the digital era, relying on Bucharest's support, which enjoys an outstanding reputation in this field, the EU official said in turn. The agenda for talks also included the economy and the judiciary. The two officials also discussed the issue of Romania's Schengen accession, our country's plea having been met with both support and opposition from member states. Prime Minister Orban expressed hope Romania would join the travel-free area within a reasonable timetable.
ROMANIA-NATO RELATIONS - Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met in Brussels on Thursday. They discussed, among other things, cooperation within NATO, the developments in the Middle East and security in the Black Sea region. Secretary Stoltenberg hailed Romania's efforts to earmark 2% of its GDP to defense spending, pointing out the Black Sea region is of strategic importance to NATO. Jens Stoltenberg thanked Romania for our country's participation in the Iraq missions, stating NATO has the possibility of doing more in the Middle East, just as President Donald Trump has asked. Ludovic Orban said the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance is a major partner of Romania, reiterating Bucharest's full support for the fulfillment of the organization's goals. The Romanian Prime Minister said Romania would continue to take part in NATO missions and initiatives concerning NATO's advanced presence on its eastern flank, as well as in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq.
IRAN -The escalating tensions in the Middle East are in the interest of neither the region, nor the international community, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis Klaus Iohannis told a press conference on Thursday. He gave assurances that Romania has so far not been affected by any of the developments, neither have been its citizens and military deployed to the area. Romania is in permanent coordination with NATO and the EU as well as with its strategic bilateral partners, first and foremost the United States, as regards its fundamental security goals, Klaus Iohannis went on to say. The Romanian president also hailed Wednesday's declarations of President Donald Trump, underlining that the common fight against terrorism in Iraq should definitely continue.
FORECAST - The World Bank has revised up to 3.9% its forecast for Romania's economic growth in 2019, 0.3 % more than the forecast in June last year, shows the Global Economic Prospects report published on Wednesday. According to the same sources Romania is expected to register a GDP growth of 3.4%, 0.1 % higher than the previous forecast. In spite of improved performances, the World Bank believes the GDP growth will significantly slow down to 3.1% in 2021 and 2022. The World Bank estimates a slight economic growth all over the world in 2020, which is expected to reach 2.5% after the slowdown last year. The World Bank has cautioned about this growth, which it described as fragile and subject to potential risks.
HANDBALL - The Romanian men's handball team is in Italy. There our handballers are to take on Italy, Georgia and Kosovo over January 10-12 in the first stage of their qualification for the World Championship in Egypt next year. Coach Rares Fortuneanu, who is also coaching French side Saint Raphael, has voiced optimism concerning Romania's qualification for the final tournament next year, the first attended by 32 sides. We recall that the Romanian women's representative had made it to the main groups of the World Championship held last month in Japan.
(Translated by V. Palcu & D. Bilt)
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