July 15, 2014 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news.
România Internațional, 15.07.2014, 12:01
Jean-Claude Juncker was approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday as head of the European Commission. Needing a minimum 376 votes out of the 751 MEPs, Juncker won approval with 422. The European Union will freeze expansion over the next five years, Jean Claude Juncker, told EU lawmakers on Tuesday, when he called for strengthened partnerships with countries on the EUs eastern border, such as Ukraine and Moldova, which are caught up in a deep crisis with neighbouring Russia. Jean-Claude Junker talked about his project to rebuild Europe after the economic crisis, win back people’s trust and strengthen democracy.
A delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is visiting the Romanian capital and two counties in south-eastern Romania. For four days, members of the delegation will meet with President Traian Basescu, Prime Minister Victor Ponta, the ministers of finance and budget and also with representatives of the private sector, partner banks, international financial institutions and civil society organizations. According to a release issued by EBRD, the visit is one of a string of consultations aimed at helping the Bank’s board of directors understand the priorities of the economy and at maintaining a close dialogue with Romanian authorities, private sector and civil society. Since the start of its activity in Romania, EBRD has invested some 6.7 billion Euros in 364 projects and has mobilized over 14 billion from other sources.
The Israeli Security Council on Tuesday approved Egypt’s’ proposal to sign a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, the Palestinian group that is controlling Gaza. Hamas, though, has rejected the proposal and has threatened to intensify its fight against Israel. At the same time, international diplomatic efforts to cease-fire are also gaining in scope. The US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks in Cairo on Tuesday with the Egyptian authorities, while the German and Italian foreign ministers, Frank Walter Steinmeier and Federica Mogherini respectively will also travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
In terms of national security, Romania can be considered a fortress and an example to other states. The statement was made by the US Charge d’Affaires, Duane C. Butcher at the end of his term in Romania. Butcher hailed the cooperation between the two states in terms of security and law enforcement, as one of the most important aspects of the Romanian-American partnership.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday voiced her country’s full support for the EU integration of the Balkan countries. We will not abandon the enlargement process, to include the Balkan countries, Merkel has said. On the other hand, the new European Commission President, Jean — Claude Junker said Tuesday that the enlargement process is halted for the next five years.
