NEWSLETTER

Embassy of in No 13 January – March 2016

Message of condolences to Belgium and its citizens

The Embassy of Romania to the Kingdom of Belgium conveys the strongest solidarity with the people of Belgium and the Belgian authorities, and the deepest condolences to the grieving families. We share the pain of all the victims of the terrorist attacks on March 22nd, the wounded and those affected, and we assure them of our profound sympathy and deep compassion. During these difficult moments, on behalfomania of the strong infriendship Belgium between Romania and Belgium, we have the duty to defend our democracy and our European values, as well as our solidarity. Romania continues to work shoulder to shoulder with Belgium and other partners in the fight against terrorism. in Belgium, across Europe and worldwide are expressing their support and solidarity to the Belgian people in these difficult times.

Message of the Ambassador of Romania to Belgium, H.E. Mr. Stefan Tinca

Dear Readers,

As the first three months of 2016 are coming to an end, I would like to share with you all a couple of thoughts. First, as this issue of the Embassy’s Newsletter goes for distribution, I noticed it arrived at #13. I hope it is, in this case, a lucky number. The Newsletter proved to be, in time, one of the main communication tools of our Embassy. It sums up, each quarter, the main political and economic trends in Romania, it outlines the dynamics in the Romanian – Belgian bilateral relations and it provides an overview of the activities of the Embassy. I am confident that this Newsletter will continue in time with its regular rhythm. The second thought has to do with my departure. In a few days, I will finish my mandate as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and I will return to Bucharest. After almost three and a half years in Belgium, I am coming to the end of a very interesting experience, both personally and professionally. If there is something unfortunate about this departure, it is that it occurs in such difficult times for Belgium. But at the end of my term, I think I got to know quite well the Belgians and I am very confident that they have the resources to overcome this period. And when, in time, I will return in this country, I count to meet my Belgian friends the way I know them: with their distinctive joie de vivre, with their refined sense of humor and with their vocation to be cosmopolitan! Farewell, dear Readers! I wish you all a beautiful life!

Romania’s International Agenda

Romanian Minister of National Defence Mihnea Motoc meets his President visits Israel Beginning with March 7, the Belgian counterpart Steven Vandeput in President of Romania, Mr. On January 21, the Romanian Minister of National Klaus Iohannis, has been on Defence, Mr. Mihnea Motoc, met in Brussels his a state visit to Israel. The Belgian counterpart, Mr. Steven Vandeput. The President of Romania met agenda featured detailed aspects of military his Israeli counterpart, cooperation between Romania and Belgium, and the President Reuven Rivlin, at valuable support and medical assistance provided by the Beit HaNassi presidential Belgium to Romania, following the tragic accident at residence. The agenda of the visit also included extensive meetings the Colectiv club in Bucharest, in October 2015. with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Knesset During the meeting, the two ministers reconfirmed their commitment to speaker, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, the Knesset opposition leader and strengthen bilateral relations. The Romanian Minister of Defence stressed the Chairman of the Labour Party, Isaac Herzog, as well as with Theophilos importance of maintaining the principles of cohesion and unity of the North III, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. The head of state Atlantic Alliance and the important role of consolidating the allied presence in and the first lady visited the Mount Herzl National Cemetery - where the Eastern flank of NATO and the Black Sea region. (www.mapn.ro)

President Iohannis layed a wreath at the tomb of Theodor Herzl, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Lazăr Comănescu visit to Tehran seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and Yad Vashem, During his official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, on March 1, Romania’s the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Memorial. Minister for Foreign Affairs was received by the President of the Islamic

Prime-Minister Dacian Cioloş meets the German Federal Republic of Iran, Mr. Hassan Rouhani. Minister Comănescu welcomed the policy of openness and revitalized cooperation with the international community Chancellor Angela Merkel supported by the Rouhani Administration, which led to reinitiating political On January 7, Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș paid an official visit to contacts between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on bilateral, regional and Germany, on which occasion he attended a working lunch offered by global issues. He expressed his conviction that the signing of the nuclear Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Head of the Executive discussed agreements with Iran and the beginning of the international sanction lifting with the German counterpart about the Romanian Government's process will have an extremely positive impact on reinitiating Romanian-Iranian priorities for this year: the Government’s reform and efficiency, its relations at all levels. During the official visit, Minister Comănescu also met his vision of long-term economic development and legislative, fiscal and Iranian counterpart, Mr. Mohammad Javad Zarif. The two ministers underlined financial predictability. All these, together with the high rate of the importance of the Romanian dignitary being joined by representatives of economic growth of Romania, provide opportunities for German the Ministries in charge with the economy and by a delegation of the Chamber investors in Romania, Prime-minister emphasized. (www.gov.ro) of Commerce and Industry of Romania. (www.mae.ro) Romania takes over the Chairmanship of International Holocaust Prime-Minister Dacian Cioloș visits France Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Romanian Prime-Minister Dacian Cioloș paid On March 8, Romania took over from Hungary the Chairmanship of the an official visit to France, on January 20. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), in a solemn ceremony at Prime-Minister met the President of France, the Romanian Embassy in Berlin. Romania will exercise this high responsibility François Hollande, and the French Prime- between March 2016 and March 2017; the office of chairman will be exercised Minister, Manuel Valls. The dialogue has been by Ambassador Mihnea Constantinescu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral priorities of the Romanian IHRA chairmanship are: working with the regular and Strategic Partnership. Prime-Minister Dacian social media to promote awareness of the Holocaust, as well as to combat Cioloș emphasized Romania's interest for denial of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, racism, extremism discrimination and strengthening the bilateral cooperation in xenophobia; strengthening education in the matter of the Holocaust within the important sectors such as infrastructure, organization’s member and observer states and promoting academic research energy, research, agriculture, and food- into the Holocaust. Attending the ceremony were members of the Jewish producing industry. Prime-Minister Cioloș community in Germany, representatives of the German political life, the emphasized that Romania’s contribution to strengthening the security diplomatic corps accredited in Berlin, Romanians living in Germany. Speaking at of the borders has to be acknowledged and reiterated Romania’s the ceremony were Ambassador M. Constantinescu, and presidential advisor interest in joining the Schengen area. (www.gov.ro) Laurențiu-Mihai Ștefan who conveyed a message from Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis. (www.mae.ro)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lazăr Comănescu meets his Belgian counterpart, Didier Reynders

On March 21, Lazar Comănescu, Romania’s minister for foreign affairs and M. Didier Reynders, vice-prime minister and minister for foreign and European affairs of Belgium, met at Egmont Palace in Brussels for a working lunch. Bilateral political and economic issues were on the agenda, with a focus on revitalizing existing forms of economic cooperation and identifying new ways to encourage investments, business and innovation. The two ministers also had a rich exchange of views on current topics on the EU agenda like migration, security in the EU neighbourhood, fighting terrorism, the future of the Schengen area and of the Euro zone. (www.mae.ro)

Economic Activity

Salon des Vacances 2016

Macroeconomic data for Romania From 4 to 8 of February 2016, the 58th edition of the GDP growth in 2015: + 3,6% Tourism Fair “Salon des Inflation rate: - 0.4% yoy Vacances” took place in Brussels. Romania's presence Foreign Direct Investments: 2.883 billion euro (as of at the fair was organized by November 2015, provisional data), increasing by 761 mil. the Romania’s Office for Euro compared to November 2014 Tourism from Paris, along with other 11 companies, Belgian and

Unemployment rate: 6.7% Romanian, travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, representatives of hotels in Romania.

Blue Air first direct flight from Brussels International Increasing trends in the bilateral trade Romania – Airport to Iași, Romania Belgium Maxitours – Blue Air is preparing a special inaugural event for the first Latest available data show that the economic relations between Blue Air direct flight from Brussels to Iași, Romania, in collaboration Romania and Belgium continue to be very dynamic. Economic with the Romanian Embassy in Belgium and other Belgian entities data available (as of November 2015) indicate that the volume of and companies with investments in Romania. According to Mrs. bilateral trade between Romania and Belgium was 2243.7 million Paunescu, the director of Maxitours company, since 2007, when Blue Euro. Romanian exports represented 920.5 mil. Euro and imports Air started operations on Brussels Airport, Blue Air has been able to 1323.21 mil. Euro. Data also indicate an increase of 10.2% of the achieve and sustain continuous business growth. By launching this volume of exports from Romania towards the Belgian market, direct flight operated by Blue Air from Brussels to Iași, Blue Air compared to 2014. wanted to share its success with its special guests.

The Brussels’ Motor Show 2016 On January 15, the Ambassador of Romania to Belgium visited the Romania- Belgium Business Club’s (CAROMB) first Brussels Motor Show. The Ambassador was invited by Renault and meeting in 2016 Ford officials to visit their stands. Renault Company has been present On March 10, the with two stands, Renault and Dacia. According to Renault officials, first 2016 Dacia is one of the best-selling car brands within the . meeting of the Dacia sales in the European Union increased last year by over 25 Romania-Belgium percent, selling more than 375 000 new units. The Romanian brand Business Club took place in Brussels. The meeting, which was Dacia has one of the strongest growth rates within the European car chaired by the president of the Club, Aurel Gavriloaia, Managing market. Romanian brand, owned by Renault group, reached 2.67 % Director Gebobat, gathered around 30 representatives of Belgian market share in December 2015, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. Ford, the owner of a investors in Romania, Romanian and Belgian businessmen. The Ambassador of Romania to Belgium and the economic adviser of producing facility in Craiova, Romania, also reported significant the Embassy also attended the event. The meeting focused on the growth in the last month of New Fiscal Code in Romania. Dan Manolescu, tax consultant 2015, reaching 46147 units, (former Secretary of State, Ministry of Finances of Romania) gave and thus limiting the decline a presentation of the new Fiscal Code in Romania. Marin Butar, during the year. Ford has representative of the Council of Hunedoara County, gave a presented a wide range of presentation about the investment opportunities in the region. vehicles including B-Max, the The participants appreciated the business potential in Romania in model that is exclusively fields such as agriculture, textile industry, tourism, auto industry, produced in Romania, noting information technology, energy and pharmaceutical industry. that Ford officials are very pleased with the sales of this model in Europe.

Our Agenda

Ambassador of Romania meets Dirk Van der Maelen, Romania takes over the Chairmanship of the President of the External Relations Committee of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Federal Chamber of Representatives On March 9, the Embassy of Hungary in Belgium organised an On February 16, Ambassador Stefan Tinca met Dirk Van der official ceremony to mark the Maelen, MP, President of the External Relations Committee of handing over, on local level, of the the Federal Chamber of Representatives, in order to discuss new Chairmanship of the International initiatives on the agenda of bilateral parliamentary relations. The Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, to the Embassy of Romania in meeting also encouraged an exchange of views about European Belgium. The ceremony, chaired by the Hungarian Ambassador in perceptions and approaches in parliaments of older and newer Belgium, H.E. Mr. Zoltan Nagy, had as special guests H.E. Mr. Szabolcs EU member states. Takács, state secretary in the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and

Chairman of the Hungarian Presidency of IHRA (March 2015 – March Romanian Ambassador's meeting with Flemish 2016), the coordinator for combating anti- members of the Flemish Parliament regarding semitism, Mrs. Katharina Von Schnurbein and the Ambassador of decentralized cooperation between Romania and Romania in Belgium, H.E. Mr. Ştefan Tinca, as local representative of Belgium the Romanian Chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In their speeches, the high officials On March 4, the Ambassador of Romania in Belgium had a emphasized the crucial relevance of IHRA and the importance of meeting with members of the Flemish Parliament, Mrs. Kathleen sustained efforts to combat anti-semitism and extremism in all theirs Helsen (CD&V) and Mr. Ward Kennes (CD&V, also mayor of forms. The Ambassador of Romania in Belgium made a presentation Kasterlee). The two members of the Flemish Parliament had th of the priorities of the Romanian Chairmanship of IHRA: cooperation attended the 5 Edition of the Forum for Decentralized with new online communication media and social networks for Cooperation which took place in Romania (Iași), in November combating extremism, education regarding the Holocaust and 2015. Members of the Flemish Association ADR (Actie Dorpen academic development in studying the Holocaust. Roemenie) were also present to the meeting. The dialogue aimed at analyzing the perspectives of organizing a future edition of the Ambassador meets Thierry Geerts, country manager, Forum. The Ambassador of Romania, Mr. Ștefan Tinca, underlined Google Belgium the added-value of decentralized cooperation between On March 25, Ambassador of communities in Romania and Belgium. The members of the Romania, Mr. Ștefan Tinca, met Flemish Parliament expressed appreciation for the valuable Thierry Geerts and his team from results of the Forum that took place in Iași and declared their Google Belgium and visited Google openness towards promoting decentralized cooperation and offices in Brussels. The Ambassador ensuring more visibility of the process. Moreover, they presented the priorities of Romania underlined the necessity of initiating work mechanisms between as acting Chairmanship of the representatives on local/regional level and parliament International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) from March representatives in certain sectors of the decentralized 2016 to March 2017. He also invited Google Belgium to take part in an cooperation. The need for a sustainable platform of dialogue initiative of the Embassy of Romania in Belgium, during Romania’s between local associations from Romania (UNCJR, AOR, AMR, IHRA Chairmanship, which will focus on working together with the ACoR) and Belgium (VVSG, UVCW, VVP) has also been social media and other stakeholders in order to fight anti-semitism, emphasized. extremism and hate speech. Prime-Minister Dacian Cioloș meets representatives of the Romanian associations in Belgium On March 8, a meeting between the Prime-Minister and representatives of various associations of the Romanian community in Belgium took place at the Residence of the Romanian Ambassador in Belgium. Prime-Minister Dacian Cioloș was accompanied by Mr. Dan Stoenescu, Minister Delegate for Romanians Abroad. During a speech addressed to the participants, the Romanian Prime-Minister reiterated the growing importance that the Government attaches to Romanians living abroad, who can play a great role in the modernization process of our country. He offered a few examples of practical measures which are to be decided by the Romanian Government in order to strengthen the symbolic link between communities living abroad and Romania. During the meeting, which gathered more than 100 representatives of various Romanian associations in Belgium, as well as Romanian personalities from Belgium, the Prime-Minister and the Minister Delegate for Romanians Abroad engaged in a direct dialogue with participants and have received numerous letters and written initiatives to be brought to the attention of Romanian authorities.

Public Diplomacy

Evaluation meeting of the 5th Edition of the Forum of Minister of National Defence of Romania offers Army Decentralized Cooperation Honorary Award to the medical team of the Military On February 11, Hospital ‘’Queen Astrid’’ during an official ceremony Ambassador met with On January 21, the representatives of the Minister of National Flemish Association Defence of Romania, Mr. ADR (Actie Dorpen Mihnea Motoc, visited the Roemenie) and the Wallon Association OVR (Operation Villages Military Hospital “Queen Roumains) for an assessment of the results of the Forum of Astrid” in Brussels, where Decentralized Cooperation in Iași (5-7 November 2015). The victims of the fire at the meeting provided also the opportunity for a discussion on the Colectiv club (Bucharest) perspectives of continuing the dialogue on descentralized

have been hospitalized cooperation and organizing a future edition of this event. The since November 2015. In representatives of ADR and OVR had a positive evaluation of the order to express the gratitude of the Romanian Government for the event in Iași. They highlighted the excellent cooperation with the professionalism and dedication of the hospital’s medical team in Embassy of Romania, the Municipality of Iași and ADR Nord-Est in treating the Romanian patients, the Minister of Defence of Romania the preparation and the succesful outcome of the Forum. The 5th awarded the representatives of the Military Hospital “Queen Astrid” Edition continued the pragmatic approach of the previous Forum, with the „Emblema de Onoare a Armatei României” (The Honour in Leuven/Louvain of 2013 and focused on concrete cooperation Emblem of the Romanian Army). After the ceremony, the Romanian projects and partnerships at different local and regional levels. Minister of National Defence visited several patients and discussed The participants also underlined the need for “fresh energy” from with their families about the evolution of the medical recuperation partners and the representatives of the young generation in view process and further recovery prospects, reassuring them of the full of instilling a new dynamic of the process of decentralized support of the Romanian Government. cooperation.

The exhibition "Romanians and the First World War" in Liege On February 24, the official opening of the exhibition ”Romanians and the First World War” took place in Liege. The event has been organized by the Embassy of Romania in Belgium and the Romanian Cultural Institute, in partnership with the National History Museum of Romania. The event was hosted by the Bocholtz International House in Liege. In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Romania stressed the importance of presenting this exhibition in Liege, which is considered the symbol of the Belgian Resistance during the Great War, in August 1914. He reminded to the audience that in 2016 Romania commemorates 100 years since its entry into the First World War. This makes the moment even more timely for the presentation of the history of the Romanian front to the Belgian public. The exhibition was organised with the support of the Honorary Consul of Romania in Liege, Mr. Isy-Noel Lesman.

Parliamentary Elections 2016 – New Legislation for Romanians voting abroad

In order to inform about the organization of the Parliamentary Elections for Romanian citizens voting abroad, the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated the section "Parliamentary Elections 2016 - Voting abroad", available at http://www.mae.ro/node/35931. The link contains the most important information regarding the legislative framework (including voting by correspondence), useful information on how to vote abroad, as well as information submitted as part of the information campaign conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Permanent Electoral Authority. The website will be regularly updated as new information will be available. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends to Romanian citizens to get informed in advance regarding the voting procedures, in order to be able to exercise their right to vote abroad in the best conditions.

Public Diplomacy

“My Spring” literary creation contest

On March 12, Arthis - Maison culturelle belgo-roumaine hosted the awarding ceremony for the “My Spring” literary creation contest for talented pupils who attend Romanian courses in francophone schools in Belgium. The Embassy of Romania in Belgium send to all the participants, children, teachers and parents, the message of the Ambassador on the occasion of handing of the awards of the literary creation contest. The event also included an art exhibition entitled “My Mother’s Image”, realized by students attending the Athénée Royal Serge Creuz in Brussels.

FUTURE EVENTS: Celebrating the International Day of la Francophonie On March 18, Ambassador of  Visit to Belgium of the minister-delegate for Romania in Belgium hosted, Romanians living abroad, Mr. Dan Stoenescu at his Residence, a literary evening focused on the  Romanians and the Great War exhibition at the contributions of various Walloon Parliament, May 17-30 contemporary writers of from  Romanians and the Great War exhibition in Belgium, Switzerland and Antwerp, June 1-15 France to Romanian - Belgium bilateral relations  Marking Romania’s National Heroes’ Day – June for the past 25 years. The 9 event was organized in partnership with the Center  28 in your plate – traditional gastronomy in EU for Belgian Studies of the member states, event organized in partnership Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj- with Ixelles administration – June 22 Napoca, Romania) and the Romanian Cultural Institute.  Meeting between representatives of the Ports of Prestigious writers and academics attended. The literary event, Constanta and Antwerp moderated by Professor Rodica Lascu Pop and Jacques De Decker, writer and journalist, benefited of the musical intermezzos of  ”Energy Business Environment in Belgium and young pan flute player Mariana Preda. Romania - Traditions and Opportunities”, May 24

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