Romania marks 15 years since its accession to the European Union
Romania became a full member of the European Union 15 years ago, on January the 1st. The Accession Treaty was signed by the President of that time, Traian Basescu, Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and Foreign Minister Razvan Ungureanu, as well as the chief Romanian negotiator, Leonard Orban. The accession to the European block has brought Romanians the chance to study and work in other European states. The free movement of people and goods has offered a huge market to Romanian companies and products. European funds have rapidly helped Romania to change, as the cpunty is one of the net beneficiaries of EU budget. In his message marking 15 years of EU membership, president Klaus Iohannis has underlined that the European paths remains the only option towards prosperity, stability and development on the long term, adding that the accession to the EU has anchored Romania in the European space of values and democracy, an ideal which became reality due to the supreme sacrifice of those who fought in December 1989. On his turn, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca has said that the success of the EU accession is confirmed by Romanian’s large support for the Union and also by the welfare brought by the 15 years of membership. Tens of billions of euros have entered and continue to come into the country, contributing to investments that increase the quality of Romanians’ lives, Prime Minister has added.
Worrying increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Romania
Romanian authorities have reported a worrying increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, in the last 24 hours. There were 1.756 new cases – a level that has not been touched since the end of November. Authorities have also reported 18 deaths associated to COVID-19 and are due to announce more information related to the number of tests performed and the number of patients admitted to hospitals. Meanwhile, the increase in case numbers is also seen in the incidence rates, which are surging in most counties, and also in the Capital, where the 14 days COVID incidence rate has reached 0.87 cases per 1.000 inhabitants.
The Romanian General Consulate in Edinburgh has been modernized
The General Consulate of Romania in the British city of Edinburgh has a larger and more modern space for services with the public. The Romanian Foreign Ministry has said that the reconfiguration in the working space has brought more wickets – five instead of three, that were previously available. This allows a considerable increase in the reception and processing of consular services requests, as well as more efficient work flows. At the moment, the Romanian citizens in Britain are able to access services, assistance and consular protection offered by three agencies – the consular section at Romanian Embassy in London, Romania’s General Consulate in Edinburgh and Manchester, respectively.
Mădălina Brotăcel, RADOR
