NEWSLETTER

Embassy of in Belgium No 12 October - December 2015

High-level Meeting of the States from Central and Eastern Europe

The Embassy of Romania in the Kingdom of Belgium wishes to all its partners, friends of Romania in Belgium

andomania from in Belgium, Belgium a On November 4th, 2015, the President of Romania, H.E. Mr. , hosted in Bucharest the Meeting of the States from Happy New Year and a Central and Eastern Europe. The event has been co-chaired by the prosperous and fulfilling 2016! President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis, and the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Andrzej Duda. The Summit has also been attended by the Presidents of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, representatives of the Czech Republic and Deputy Secretary-General of NATO, Mr. Alexander Vershbow. H.E. Mr. Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania, emphasized that “With a common voice, we show our determination and ability to contribute to a consolidated and coherent foreign and security approach that will strengthen the security of our region and our New Alliance. We have a clear view of the strategic challenges that our On November 4, Mr. Alliance faces. The challenging environment from the Black Sea to Victor Ponta resigned as the Baltic Sea brings increased responsibilities to our countries in Prime-minister of the ensuring stability and security. Our responses can only be Government. On coordinated. I am convinced that through our consultations today November 15 the new we will bring our contribution to the efforts aimed at making NATO Government of Romania, more prepared, stronger and more able to respond to the present led by Prime-minister security threats and risks, primarily from the East, but also from the Dacian Cioloș, was sworn South. We equally need to underline here and now the relevance of in. The full list of the enhancing the transatlantic bond, as key to Euro-Atlantic and global Cabinet: security.” (www.presidency.ro) Prime-minister – Dacian Cioloş Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration – Minister of Foreign Affairs Lazăr Comănescu meets with US Vasile Dîncu Secretary of State John Kerry

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Commerce and Relations with the Business Environment– Costin Grigore Borc Minister of Foreign Affairs – Lazăr Comănescu Minister of Internal Affairs– Petre Tobă Minister of National Defence– Mihnea Ioan Motoc Minister of Public Finance– Anca Dana Dragu Paliu Minister of Justice– Raluca Alexandra Prună Minister of European Funds – Aura Carmen Răducu Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development – Achim Irimescu Minister of Labour, Family, Social Protection and Elderly – Claudia –Ana Costea Minister of Energy – Victor Vlad Grigorescu On the side of the NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting, Minister of Transport– Dan Marian Costescu Minister of Foreign Affairs Lazăr Comănescu met with US Secretary Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests – Cristiana Paşca Palmer of State John Kerry on December 2nd, 2015. Minister of Health– Patriciu-Andrei Achimaş-Cadariu On this occasion, the head of Romanian diplomacy reiterated that Minister of National Education and Scientific Research – Adrian Curaj the relation with the US would remain a pillar of Romanian foreign Minister of Communications and for Information Society – Marius-Raul Bostan and security policy. He underlined the outstanding Romanian- Minister of Culture– Vlad Tudor Alexandrescu American cooperation on political and military issues, highlighting Minister of Youth and Sport – Elisabeta Lipă the interest in enhancing US presence in Romania. Minister for Public Consultation and Civic Dialogue – Victoria-Violeta Alexandru In his turn, US Secretary of State noted that Romania was a Minister – Delegate, Department for Relation with Parliament – Ciprian Bucur responsible and trustworthy Ally, recalling Romania's contributions, Minister – Delegate for Relations with Romanians Abroad– Dan Stoenescu together with the US, to countering terrorism. Moreover, he Head of Prime Minister’s Chancellery – Ioan-Dragoș Tudorache emphasized Romania's role in the region, as a stability factor, including an economic development factor. (www.mae.ro)

Romania’s International Agenda

Romanian Chairmanship-in-Office of The Organization of The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Starting July 2015, until December 2015, Romania holds the mandate of BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office of The Organization of The Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Romania attaches great importance to regional cooperation and has devoted constant and particular attention to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. The primary task sought out by the Chairmanship has been to ensure that intergovernmental economic cooperation can bring its due share to the sustainable development of the region and its stability. Under the motto “Building Stability, Enhancing Connectivity”, the Romanian CiO of BSEC has encouraged a constant and constructive dialogue, which is a prerequisite for stability in our complex region. To enhance economic cooperation and development, the Romanian CiO promoted better inter-connectivity in our region, as improving and connecting regional infrastructure is the best approach to attracting investments and developing the economies of the Member States. The Romanian Chairmanship focused on connectivity in the field of transportation – the main sectorial priority, but also on “soft connectivity issues” like combating organized crime and tax evasion, environment and energy - equally sectorial priorities of its mandate. The Romanian CiO focused on the following goals and priorities: - promote a constant and constructive dialogue within BSEC, a prerequisite for stability in our complex region; - advance “The BSEC Economic Agenda. Towards an Enhanced BSEC Partnership” – the strategic guiding framework of our cooperation; - contribute to the economic development of BSEC area through promoting regional inter-connectivity; - enhance infrastructure connectivity as well as soft connectivity in the region in fields like transportation, combating organized crime and tax evasion, environment and energy; - draw benefit from EU policies for the region and project complementarities in fields of common interest for all BSEC MS. (www.mae.ro, www.bsec- organization.org)

Economic Activity

Macroeconomic indicators in Romania 2015 Bilateral Trade Romania – Belgium in 2015 (*data

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) available as of September 2015) GDP – seasonally unadjusted data - estimated for the 1st semester of 2015 increased by 3.8%, In 2015, the volume of trade between Romania and Belgium compared to the 1st semester of 2014 (in real terms) continues to grow: total increase of volume of trade in 2015 (compared to 2014): 10.64% (2014 - 1429,68 mil. Euro, 2015- 1581,79 Direct Foreign Investments (data available for months 1-8, 2015) mil. Euro). Romanian exports towards Belgium increased by 7.7% in 2.3 billion Euro, which represent an increase of 61% compared to the same period of 2014. Direct 2015, whereas the imports increased by 12.8%. investments of non-residents in Romania: 2.3 billion Euros.

Prices Launching The European Times Magazine edition – In August 2015, consumer prices decreased by 0.5% compared to July 2015, per total. Food and Romania non-food goods decreased by 0.8%, respectively by 0.5%. Prices for services tariffs remained On November 26 November, relatively stable. the representative of the International trade in goods Office for Promoting During the 1st semester of 2015, FOB exports amounted to lei 142732.0 million (€ 32072.4 million), Commercial and Economic their value being by 5.7% higher than the 1st semester 2014, calculated based on the values relations of the Embassy of expressed in lei and by 5.9% more calculated based on the values expressed in euro respectively. Romania in Belgium attended

Earnings the launching of The European Times Magazine In August 2015, the gross average nominal earnings per total economy were 2515 lei and the net edition - Romania 2014. The one was 1813 lei. The average gross earnings and the net one decreased by 1.9% compared to July event was organized by the 2015. The net nominal average earnings increased by 7.7%, compared to August 2014. Big Media Group company Labour force market from Belgium. The event In August 2015, the number of employees amounted to 4577.4 thousand persons, by 7.1 thousand enjoyed the presence of persons more than in July 2015. managers and investors from Belgium, The Netherlands Unemployment and Luxemburg as well as According to latest available data, the unemployment rate has been 4.88% in October 2015, with a representatives of Chambers decreasing trend (-0.01 compared to previous month and -0.52 compared to October 2014) of Commerce from The Inflation rate: 1.64 %. Forecasted for 2015 (end): 2.5% Netherlands and Flanders

Most significant contributions to GDP within the first semester of 2015: provinces. The representative of the Embassy has made a Industry 22% presentation regarding the most recent macro-indicators and Transport, commerce, tourism, HORECA, automotive services 17.7% Romania’s economic trends and evolutions. An important part of the presentation has been dedicated to emphasizing the investment IT & Communications – 13.8% opportunities in Romania. The Embassy of Romania in Belgium Net taxes -13.6%. reiterated the support for potential foreign investors in Romania. Exchange rate: 4.50 RON = 1 Euro (Dec. 2015)

Our Agenda

The 5th Edition of the Forum for De-Centralized Cooperation between Romanian Ambassador to Belgium visit to the “Reine Astrid” Military Romania and Belgium (Iași, 5-7 November 2015) Hospital The Municipality of Iași together with On November 16th, Romania's Ambassador to the Belgian associations Actien Dorpen Belgium, H.E. Mr. Stefan Tinca, paid an official visit to Roemenie (ADR) and Operation Villages the Military Hospital "Reine Astrid" in , Roumains (OVR), with the support of the where he discussed with the general manager of the Embassy of Romania in Belgium, the hospital, Colonel Dr. G. Borgers and with the Embassy of Belgium in Romania and the Agency for Rural Development for the personnel of the medical team in charge of the North-East Region (ADR Nord-Est) organized the Fifth edition of the Forum on treatment of the eight Romanian patients injured in Decentralized Cooperation between Romania and Belgium, hosted at the Palas the fire from club “Colectiv”, which have been Conference Center in Iași. The event took place between 5th and 7th of November. transferred in Belgium on November 7. The Ambassador also visited a few hospitalized The Forum gathered around 200 officials, representatives of central and local Romanian patients. authorities, non-governmental organizations, professional associations, research During the meeting with Col. Dr. G. Borgers, the manager of the Military Hospital, the institutes and enterprises involved in the decentralized cooperation between Ambassador of Romania conveyed a formal message of appreciation on behalf of the Romania and Belgium. Romanian state and expressed his gratitude for the full support offered to all eight After 25 years from the first contacts between Romanian and Belgian non- patients and their family’s members. He showed the broad interest that the tragic governmental organizations, the Forum in Iași has made an evaluation of the event from 30 October in Bucharest continues to engender for the Romanian public current state of the decentralized bilateral cooperation. New projects of opinion and the Romanians from Belgium. Col. Dr. G. Borgers made a general development and strengthened cooperation between local and regional description of the profile of the hospital unit that he leads, which includes one of the authorities from Romania and Belgium have been launched. top units in Europe for patients with severe burns. The Ambassador of Romania also Discussions at the two plenary sessions explored European regional development met Dr. Serge Jennes, Head of the Department for Extreme Burns of the hospital and objectives included in the Commission's 2020 Strategy, as well as the role of local the head of the Belgian medical team who traveled in the days after the fire in authorities in using European instruments for the benefit of local communities. Bucharest to assess the situation of the victims. At the invitation of the manager Col. The thematic workshops enabled participants at the Forum to examine recent Dr. G. Borgers, Romanian Ambassador to Belgium signed the Book of Honor of the works under the aegis of Decentralized cooperation in the five priority areas for Military Hospital "Reine Astrid". the coming years: 1. public health, 2. water/rural development, 3. civil society, 4. National Day of Romania fire safety, 5. social investments and social economy. The next steps until 2017 will On December 1st, the Embassy of Romania in Belgium be set out. The discussions in the working groups focused on sharing best organized, at the Ambassador's Residence, a Reception practices developed in over 10 years of decentralized cooperation and targeted celebrating the National Day of Romania. The event has the development of concrete projects of cooperation in these areas. been attended by about 400 officials, members of the Similar to the previous edition of the Forum, which took place in Leuven in 2013, diplomatic corps accredited in Brussels, Belgian the Forum in Iași also hosted a business round-table aimed at raising awareness politicians, Romanian MEPs, businessmen, cultural and about Iași and the North-East Region as a target for future investments and trade artistic personalities, civil society representatives, as cooperation between clusters and various Romanian-Belgian economic projects, well as other members of the Romanian community in Belgium. with the involvement of both public and private sectors. In the opening of the event, the participants observed a moment of silence in memory Solidarity for the victims of the dramatic fire in Colectiv Club, Bucharest of the victims of the Colectiv Club fire and the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in

On November 7th, as a result of an excellent France, Mali and . The Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Mr. Stefan Tinca, gave a cooperation between the Romanian Government brief speech in French, Dutch and Romanian, based on the particular context of this and Belgian Federal Government in the days period, marked by a series of tragic events impacting Belgium, and also the Romanian immediately after the tragedy in Bucharest, 8 of community in Belgium and the activity of the Embassy. The official reception had as the victims of the Colectiv Club fire were main sponsors Delhaize Group, Petrom, TAROM and Alira. transferred to the Military Hospital "Reine Astrid" Piano concert to celebrate the National Day of Romania (December 6) in Brussels, Extreme Burns Department. Ever since, On December 6, the Romanian Cultural Institute and the the Embassy has been deeply involved in Romanian Embassy organized a piano concert presenting coordinating with major Romanian associations Eduard Stan, an exceptional piano player of Romanian origin from Belgium and other representatives of the who lives in Germany, in a solo performance at the Museum Romanian community, in order to offer logistical, of Musical Instruments from Brussels, as part of celebration procedural and emotional support to patients and their accompanying members for the National Day of Romania. The program included works of the family. An informal group called “Romanians in Belgium 4 Colectiv” has by Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin and George Enescu, marking also 60 years since the been set up on November 9 with that purpose, during a meeting at the Embassy. death of the most famous Romanian composer. The Embassy continues its work, on a daily basis, to facilitate the dialogue New Honorary Consul of Romania for the City of Antwerp and the Port of between the Hospital, Belgian authorities and Romanian governmental authorities Antwerp meant to ensure the best perspectives for the full recovery of the 8 patients. The On December 7, the Ambassador of Romania to Belgium Embassy also works closely with the Romanian civil society from Belgium in order handed to Mr. Isy Noel Lesman the official documents to make the stay in Belgium as comfortable as possible for the families of the 8 appointing him as Romania’s new Honorary Consul for patients. The Government of Romania, the Embassy and the Romanians in the City of Antwerp and the Port of Antwerp. Belgium are grateful to Belgium for its generous and timely help! Visit of the Romanian Prime-Minister at the Military Hospital „Reine Astrid” in Brussels On December 18, the Prime-Minister of Romania, Mr. Dacian Cioloș, paid a visit to „Reine Astrid” Military Hospital where Romanian patients from the Club Colectiv fire have been treated since November 7. The Romanian Prime-Minister had meetings with the members of the senior management of the hospital as well as with members of the medical team which is involved in providing the treatment for the Romanian patients. He also met some of the Romanian patients and all members of their families, in order to discuss ways in continuing the recovery treatments in the near future and how the Government of Romania could support effectively the recovery process of the patients. The Romanian EU Commissioner for Regional Development, Mrs. Corina Crețu, also visited the hospital and some of the patients and their relatives on December 9.

Public Diplomacy

Twinning agreement signed between the commune of Buneşti (Brasov county) Opening of a new Romanian Orthodox Church in Uccle/Brussels and the municipality of Glabbeek (Flemish-Brabant) (October 2) (November 22)

On October 2, in the presence of the Ambassador of On November 22, the first religious service of the new Romanian Orthodox Romania in Belgium, the twinning agreement has been Church Saint Paul in Uccle/Brussels took place, in the presence of several signed between Buneşti (Brasov county, Romania) and representatives of Romania’s Embassy in Belgium. The church was entrusted to Glabbeek (Flemish-Brabant Province, Belgium). During the Romanian Orthodox Church in Belgium by Mgr Bishop Kokerols, Vicar of the signing ceremony, attended by the mayors of the Brussels, as recognition of the important number of Orthodox Romanians living two municipalities, the Romanian Ambassador to in this part of Brussels and a testimony of his openness for dialogue and Belgium emphasized the importance of decentralized cooperation for the overall bilateral ecumenism. relationship Romania-Belgium. Twinning projects are an essential component of bilateral decentralized cooperation, united under the Forum of Decentralized Cooperation Romania Events in the Romanian community for Belgium celebrating Winter – Belgium. There are about 200 twinning agreements already implemented between Holidays and Romanian winter traditions municipalities and towns from Belgium and Romania, which injects positive development On December 6th, Ambassador of Romania in Belgium and Ambassador of in bilateral relations. The mayors of Buneşti and Glabbeek emphasized the significant Romania to the EU attended the Holy Mass celebrating the Saint Patron of the contribution of twinning protocols for people-to-people contacts and exchanging best Romanian Orthodox Church Saint Nicolas from Brussels, alongside hundreds of practices on issues related to local governance, efficient administration and a better use of Orthodox Romanians from Brussels’ area. The religious service was officiated EU funds for local development projects. by His Eminence Iosif, Archbishop and Metropolitan, in the presence of Gala dinner to promote Romanian cuisine and wine tradition hundreds of Romanians from Belgium. On December 5, the Belgo-Romanian Cultural Center ARTHIS organized a On October 9, the Embassy of Romania in Belgium special event for children and parents dedicated to Saint Nicolas and to has organized in collaboration with Cercle Royal Romanian winter traditions. The event was highly appreciated by participants Gaulois Artistique et Litteraire and European of all ages. Artists Management, a gala dinner called La The same day, ROMBEL organized a Saint Nicolas event for its members and Cuisine roumaine reinventée par les Grands Chefs close partners. (The Romanian cuisine reinvented by chefs). Romanian Christmas carols concerts were organized by the Romanian Greek- The menu served included Romanian recipes and Catholic Church in Brussels (29th of November) and by Valente Umane traditional recipes reinterpreted in a current key Foundation (12th December). The Foundation Valente Umane also organized, by chefs Pierre Wynants, founder of the between 15th and 16th of December, a charitable Christmas Faire whose restaurant Comme chez soi, holder of three Michelin stars, Hubert De Smedt, chef Cercle benefits will be donated to victims of the fire in Club Colectiv, Bucharest. Royal Gaulois and the Romanian chefs’ team Mircea Groza, Horia Simon and Teodora Pup, pastry chef. The menu was completed by Romanian wines from the vineyards Domeniile Christmas carols evening at Ambassador’s Residence (December 17) Sahateni, Cernavoda and Murfatlar. The event addressed Cercle Royal Gaulois members,

Belgian high officials and business circles and gathered more than 150 people in the On December 17, the prestigious halls of the Brussels club. Both the opening speech of the Ambassador of Ambassador of Romania Romania, and the information provided to the participants along with the menu aimed at in Belgium hosted a promoting tourism and cultural potential of Romania among a very demanding public group of children who The project, prepared over 12 months was supported by a number of sponsors including: presented a musical Alira, Bosman Foods, Blue Air and Maxitours, BRU - partner of Cercle Royal Gaulois, program of Romanian Ruxandra Raţă Law office, Foodex, William Concept and has received support of Sălaj Christmas Carols while County Council. the representatives of Meeting between the mayor of Cumpana (Constanta, Romania) and the mayor Arthis – Belgisch- of Anderlecht (November 20) Roemeens Cultureel Huis had an entertaining On November 20, Mrs. Mariana Gaju, mayor of Cumpana program comprising of commune, Constanta county, met with Mr. Eric Tomas, Romanian traditional songs and dances specific for the winter holidays. The mayor of Anderlecht, as a follow up to the latter’s visit to group of children, who are attending the courses of Romanian , Romania, in July 2015. Discussions between the two culture and civilization (LCCR) under the guidance of the officials focused on education and youth projects professors, have received gifts for Christmas and have enjoyed the winter between the two localities, which are exploring ways of holidays atmosphere with representatives of the Embassy of Romania in cooperating closer together. Belgium.

Phone: +32 (0)2 345 26 80 If you want to know more about our EMBASSY OF ROMANIA Fax: +32 (0)2 346 23 45 activities, please visit our website In the Kingdom of Belgium Rue Gabrielle 105, http://bruxelles.mae.ro B – 1180 Bruxelles or write us at [email protected]

We thank our intern, Mihai Agape, for his contribution to issuing this Newsletter.