News review of the day – September 9th

President Klaus Iohannis and PM Victor Ponta: Romania does not agree with compulsory refugee quotas

Defence, Foreign Policy and European Affairs commissions of the Parliament and the special one regarding Romania’s accession to the Schengen area have decided to set up a new commission meant to evaluate the crisis of the immigrants.

Both President Klaus Iohannis and PM Victor Ponta have announced Romania does not agree with a compulsory system regarding immigration quotas for EU’s member states.

Presently, our country can accommodate 1.785 immigrants, according to the head of state, who insisted that the most complicated aspect is not only their number but the challenge to integrate them in our society.

EC’s President Jean-Claude Juncker has presented today a compulsory distribution plan for the refugees in European countries and promised a permanent asylum-granting mechanism for potential similar crisis in the future. According to this plan, Romania would have to receive 4.646 refugees above the initial 1.785 assumed by our country.

The European crisis of immigrants will be analyzed next week by Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence.

Simplified procedures for certain categories of Romanian-citizenship applicants

Romanian citizenship will be acquired more easily by foreign citizens activating in art, culture or sports and by those benefiting our country, according to a government ordinance adopted by the Cabinet. These personalities will also be able to become Romanian citizens at the proposal of a Cabinet member. Up to this moment, citizenship applicants were asked to have lived for at least 8 years in Romania.

Romania’s National Anti-corruption Strategy to be continued for two more years

Romania’s National Anti-corruption Strategy will be carried on for two more years, according to a decision made today by the Cabinet. Justice Minister Robert Cazanciuc has been designated by the Executive to draft a resolution extending the applicability of the document until 2017. The minister pointed out that the current strategy is one of the most appreciated documents by Romania’s European partners. The financing of the project for 2016-2017 is to be made from European funds, RADIO ROMANIA reported.

Traian Hristea takes over mission as chief of EU’s Delegation to Kazakhstan

Romanian diplomat Traian Hristea has oficially started his activity as chief of EU’s Delegation to Kazakhstan. In an interview with Radio Romania, he talked about this diplomatic mission’s agenda:

Traian Hristea: Bilateral relations between the European Union and Kazakhstan have seen a positive trend lately. The Republic of Kazakhstan has sealed the enhanced agreement for partnership and co-operation which is soon to be signed by the two sides. A total number of 27 fields of co-operation are being established by the new agreement which is trying to further develop what we have already achieved together.

Romania will have new consular offices in Italy, Germany and the UK

President Klaus Iohannis has signed several decrees today setting up new consular offices. According to a press release by the Presidency, Romania will have new consulates in Bari – Italy, Stuttgart – Germany and Manchester – in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

10 flights operated by Lufthansa cancelled on Henri Coanda International Airport

10 flights operated by Lufthansa on „Henri Coanda” International Airport to/from Frankfurt and Munich have been cancelled today due to a strike of the German pilots. Spokesperson of the airport in Bucharest, Valentin Iordache, has stated that 5 inbound and 5 outbound flights were cancelled and he advised passengers to contact the company for further information about timetables and reschedules. According to a press release by the Foreign Ministry, the protest started yesterday is going to affect short and medium-haul flights operated today. This is the 13th protest organized by Lufthansa pilot union declining the cost-reduction program proposed by the board.

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