A new era of Romanian – Ukrainian relations
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis met his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Tuesday with talks focused on opportunities aimed at strengtheing relations between Romania and Ukraine in an effort to ensure security in the region. President Poroshenko and President Iohannis pointed out the need of Romanian-Ukrainian joint actions addressing the Transnistrian conflict. Located on a strip of land between River Dniester and the eastern Moldovan border with Ukraine, Transnistria became a self-proclaimed breakaway „republic” since its declaration of independence in 1990. „We have agreed to coordinate our actions concerning Transnistria in order to facilitate the unfreezing of the conflict and help sovereign and independent Moldova regain its territorial integrity and reintegrate the Transnistria region”, President Poroshenko said as quoted in a statement issued by the Ukrainian Presidency. „We agreed to make every effort in order to restore Transnistria as part of the Republic of Moldova”, President Iohannis said in his turn. Romania wanted to be a partner of Ukraine and share its experience in the country’s efforts of joining the European community, Mr. Iohannis pointed out.
Former Romanian president under investigation for blackmail
Former Romanian President Traian Băsescu is formally accused of blackmail following a complaint submitted by Senator and former TV anchor Gabriela Firea. Prosecutors have informed Mr. Băsescu that he was under criminal investigation. The former president appeared before prosecutors for about 20 minutes on Wednesday as he was informed about the blackmail probe against him. Last year, Ms. Firea accused Mr. Băsescu’s elder daughter of fraud in connection with her involvement in the so-called Nana File. Ms. Firea, a government spokesperson at the time, made comments angrily rejected by the president who made threatening remarks about her husband by saying one day she might not find him at home. The former president appeared before prosecutors 11 years after facing a similar situation for his alleged involvement in the so-called Fleet File.
Romanian transporters protest at German and French embassies in Bucharest
The German and French embassies in the capital Bucharest were „besieged” by Romanian transporters on Wednesday as they expressed their protest against the minimum wage introduced in Germany and France for transit truckers. However, Germany temporarily suspended the move after Poland vigorously opposed the decision. But the suspension only applies for transit journeys and not to deliveries by foreign truckers in or from Germany. Romanian truckers also claim that Germany established a 30,000 euro-fine for companies failing to share information concerning their road maps.
Gabriel Liiceanu resigns as member of Writers’s Union of Romania
Gabriel Liiceanu, a major Romanian philosopher, academic and publisher, has resigned as member of Writers’ Union of Romania on Tuesday. His resignation comes following talks on a draft law concerning a so-called „cultural stamp”. The new bill is expected to replace the current Law 35/1994 establishing a similar stamp on cultural products such as books, films, records, etc. Talks on the issue were hosted by the Social Dialogue Group (GDS) in Bucharest with participants including publishers, MPs and representatives of the country’s major cultural associations.
Alexandru Danga – RADOR
