Tuesday, January 3rd

Romania marks 10 years within the European Union

Romania is marking ten years since its accession to the European Union. It has been a decade of effort and sacrifice, but also growth and development, according to the current Romanian Representative to the European Union, Corina Cretu, who is the European Commissioner for Regional Policy.
Corina Cretu: In recent years, Romania has become a stability pole in the region and an engine for economic growth. After ten years, in which European integration has become a success of all Romanians, both ordinary people and the Romanian state, the road to Europe, towards a further integration is the road that will continue to help Romania and all its citizens. A special thought for youngsters who want to get involved and succeed in their country: Trust the European project, be part of it and I can assure you that the next ten years will look just like you want.
The incumbent Prime-Minister, Dacian Ciolos, a former EU Agriculture Commissioner, believes that practical effects of the EU accession could be observed in day to day life.
Dacian Ciolos: Ten years in the European Union mean ten years of growth, development and democracy enhancement for Romania. For the people of Romania effects of these ten years in the EU could be noticed almost daily, ranging from the possibility for young people to study and have professional experience in the EU, to the mayor in a rural community that has managed to build a better road for his villagers, with the help of European funds.
The first European commissioner from Romania, Leonard Orban, currently an advisor to President Klaus Iohannis, believes that Romania’s expectations have even been surpassed, in certain areas.
Leonard Orban: If I look back, I realize that we did better than expected, in certain areas. The direction we are heading to is a good one. It will allow us to further consolidate our state and will allow our citizens to be more successful and more optimistic about their future.

The governing program that the Parliament is about to vote on Wednesday will be implemented as of February 1st

The Romanian Prime Minister-designate, Sorin Grindeanu, has said that the governing program, which the Parliament is due to vote on Wednesday, will be enforced as from February 1st, adding that the state budget for 2017 might be adopted by then. Mr. Grindeanu has given assurances that all measures announced during the electoral campaign will be implemented.
Sorin Grindeanu: I want that everything we said and we will do to be enforced as a governing program. All these things are related to our obligation, as a government supported by the PSD-ALDE coalition in Parliament. This governing program has been overwhelmingly voted by Romanians. My duty and my government’s duty is to respect the mandatory government program and to implement all the measures it states and that have been voted by Romanians.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has promised, among others, to increase the minimum wage from 1,250 lei to 1,450 lei, to remove the health contribution for pensioners and the income tax for pensions under 2,000 lei.

Romania takes part in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency

A patrol and intervention ship of the Romanian Coast Guard, with 23 border policemen on board, has started a mission in the Aegean Sea, where it will be deployed until April. Romania takes part in the surveillance and control of the maritime borders of the European Union, as well as in operations to search and save people who are in danger at sea. The mission is conducted alongside other EU member states, as part of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency FRONTEX. According to Radio Romania correspondents, the Border Police will also sent two liaison officers to Athens, at the FRONTEX Regional Coordination Center.

Mădălina Brotăcel – Agenţia de presă RADOR