Visit to Romania by the First Vice President of the European Commission
First Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans has met Presidents of Romania’s parliamentary chambers on Thursday morning and members of the parliamentary special committee on the justice laws. During the meeting with Timmermans, representatives of the opposition have criticized the fast pace of the debate in parliament on the justice laws and the plans to amend the Penal Code. The Speaker of the Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, have underlined that Romania pays a special attention to protecting the fundamental rights and liberties of its citizens and to the democratic functioning of the state institutions.
Frans Timmermans had a meeting with Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis
The Commission’s First Vice President Frans Timmermans has met Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, at Cotroceni Palace, and the main subjects on the agenda were the changes to the justice laws and the progress of the anti-corruption drive. Mr. Iohannis has said that he will do his best, as far as the Constitution allows him, to ensure the performance of an independent judiciary system in Romania and to enhance the rule of law. The Commission’s official has also said that there was no doubt that Romania’s judiciary is independent, but that he noted that the recent public attacks on the justice had created a negative image for Romania. Mr Timmermans is also due to meet Prime Minister Viorica Dancila.
The Romanian Defense Minister has held talks with his Israeli counterpart
The Romanian Defense Minister Mihai Fifor has talked to his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman about the defense priorities of their two countries. During the discussions, they also analyzed the security developments in the Black Sea region and the Middle East. The two officials have pointed on the importance of a follow-up in the strategic dialogue between Israel and Romania, in order to advance common defense projects. According to a statement by the Romanian ministry, Mr. Fifor also met the head of the Defense and Foreign Policy Committee in the Israeli Parliament Avi Dichter, on Wednesday. The talks focused on the intensification of bilateral defense cooperation and the security situation in the Black Sea and Middle East regions.
Mădălina Brotăcel, RADOR
