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Romania’s foreign policy relies on three key elements: the EU membership, NATO membership and the strategic partnership with the USA, president Traian Basescu said on Tuesday in his first address to Parliament since the new legislative body was elected in December 2012. He suggested a partnership with Parliament and the Government for the goal of ensuring Romania’s Schengen accession, which he views as having national importance. Traian Basescu also spoke about an action plan to secure a favourable decision in this respect in the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in December. In this context, he suggested the new heads of the General Prosecutor’s Office and the National Anti-Corruption Directorate should be appointed as soon as possible, and ministers subject to criminal lawsuits should be removed. Meanwhile, according to the head of state, it is vital for Bucharest to shift to the euro in the next 3 - 4 years.
Romania has taken important steps to implement the European Commission’s recommendations of July 2012, the EU’s Foreign and European Affairs Ministers decided on Monday in Brussels in their conclusions regarding the latest report on progress under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. EU officials have however argued that a lot is still to be done to fight corruption and to ensure the upholding of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.
The UK will open its labour market to Romanian and Bulgarian jobseekers in early 2014, the British Secretary for European Affairs David Lidington said in Bucharest on Tuesday. He added that his country acknowledged and welcomed the positive impact of European citizens being enabled to exercise their fundamental rights, including the freedom of movement. On Tuesday David Lidington started an official visit to Romania at the invitation of Foreign Minister Titus Corlăţean. On Wednesday the British official will have official talks with Titus Corlăţean and with State Secretary for European Affairs George Ciamba.
Beginning March 12th until April 3rd, The Romanian Foreign Ministry’s department for policies addressing Romanians abroad receives applications for funding projects aimed at supporting the activity of Romanians abroad. The applicants must represent Romanian communities abroad, and applications need to comply with the Financial Guide posted on the department’s web page (www.dprp.gov.ro). The selection results and the list of beneficiaries will be posted on the same web site after April 15th.
The 115 cardinal electors Tuesday convened in conclave in the Vatican Sistine Chapel to appoint the successor of Benedict XVI, who stepped down as head of the Catholic Church due to deteriorating health. The 266th Pope in the history of the Catholic Church will be elected through secret ballot. The ballots will be burned twice a day until the candidate reaches two-thirds majority. Black smoke will signal that no decision has been reached, while white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney will signal the election of the new Pope.
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2025-04-03
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