Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlatean on Wednesday called on media in the UK to avoid making derogatory comments on Romanians, using expressions such as benefits tourism. Titus Corlatean met in Bucharest David Livington, British minister for relations with Europe. The Romanian minister said there were no reasons to suppose that there would be an influx of Romanian workers after Britain lifts, on January 1st 2014, labor restrictions for Romanians. In response, the British official admitted that most migrants from Central and Eastern Europe are people with good training and good taxpayers, including Romanians who stay legally in his country.

The European Parliament on Wednesday rejected by a large margin the draft law on the long-term budget, negotiated with the EU heads of state and government. Euro MPs have called for further debate on this issue, arguing the budget is not accessible in its current form. Following negotiations held last February, state leaders have agreed the 2014-2020 budget should be slashed by over 3%.

The batch of turkey meat containing antibiotic residue above the admissible levels was allegedly exported to Germany from a farm in Romania, according to a notice sent via the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. Food inspectors with the National Sanitary and Veterinary Authority have tested meat samples originating from the incriminated farm, with results to be made public within a week. In another development, the head of the National Sanitary and Veterinary Authority was dismissed over the way he managed the recent milk scandal. The latest food scares have sparked concern among Romanian consumers and brought huge losses for retailers and farmers.

Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corltean on Thursday will pay an official visit to Turkey at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutodlu. The two will sign the Action Plan of the Bilateral Strategic Partnership. On this occasion Corlatean will also meet with Turkish president Abdullah Gul and the head of the National Great Assembly Cemil Cicek. The visit is part of a series of visits aimed at boosting political dialogue, as part of the Strategic Partnership signed in December 2011.