The 12th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) is taking place in Bucharest
The Romanian capital, Bucharest, is hosting the 12th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) on February 15th and 16th. Some of the goals of the meeting include identifying and settling liabilities created by the political conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, dealing with migration and new forms of terrorism and organized crime and also protecting the world cultural heritage. Romania has been a full member of the PA-UfM since 2017 and the Romanian Senate President, Calin Tariceanu, who opened the meeting in Bucharest, has insisted on the inter-parliamentary cooperation and strengthening this kind of diplomacy. The Foreign Minister, Teodor Melescanu, has said he wishes that Romania plays a relevant role in resolving political crises in the region, but insists for a respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states. The President of the PA-UfM Pedro Roque has underlined, in his speech, that peace and stability are the key for prosperity across the Mediterranean region, saying that the drive against terrorism, political developments in the Middle East and North Africa, and migration are the main objectives of the organization.
Around 6.000 foreign citizens tried to illegally cross Romania’s border in 2017
Romanian border police have uncovered about 6.000 foreign citizens trying to illegally cross the country’s border, throughout last year. Most of them came from countries like Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The head of the Border Police’ General Inspectorate, ioan Buda, has said that 5.803 foreigners who tried to illegally enter or exit Romania have been intercepted by the police. There were also 1,000 cases where police intervened to prevent the illegal entry of migrants at the border between Romania and Serbia. In most of the cases, the migrants were organized in groups. 738 groups were identified, as well as 239 guides. 1,600 people applied for a form of protection from the Romanian state and were handed in to the General Inspectorate for Immigrations. Six illegal migration cases were registered at the Black Sea and 537 migrants were saved, in 2017.
Romania’s economy has grown by 7% in 2017, the highest rate since 2008
Romania’s economy has recorded a 7% growth in 2017, compared to the year before, the highest advance since 2008, according to the first estimates published on Thursday by the Statistics Institute. In the last quarter of 2017, Romania had the highest economic growth in the European Union, figures also confirmed by Eurostat. Economist Mircea Cosea believes that this increase is a sign that the real economy, the private economy is working in Romania, despite difficulties, but he has also warned against a growth driven by consumption, which would not be sustainable.
Mădălina Brotăcel
