• austriantimes.at
• croatiantimes.com
• salzburgtimes.at
• viennatimes.at
• austrianindependent.com

23. 10. 09. - 16:00

• more General News news...
• RSS Feed General News

23. 10. 09. - 16:00

Geoana calls for more CEE involvement in world affairs

Romanian Times

Romanian Social Democratic leader Mircea Geoana has warned Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) should not take American involvement in the region for granted.

He issued the warning in an opinion article in the online edition of the New York Times, adding that CEE should participate in global debate.

"If we in Central and Eastern Europe want to be taken seriously, we must raise our game. We must bring relevant contributions to global debates and eliminate excuses for not being credible partners," writes Geoana, a former ambassador to the U.S. and a former foreign minister.

"Concretely, on issues like missile defence, we must not become distracted by the size of the American footprint in Central and Eastern Europe when what matters is the level of protection provided by new technology," he adds in his article entitled "Ticking the Wrong Boxes".

Former Communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe have recorded various degrees of progress but have contributed to a perception that they are less than reliable partners for discussions and that they are incapable of consistent contributions to the most pressing debates in international affairs.

"This must change," writes Geoana, who is running for president of Romania at the end of November.

Central and Eastern Europe, he writes, "must combine what it already has with credible and sustained efforts to achieve what it needs: a seat at the tables where important decisions are made, a credible voice in those discussions, a broader and deeper relationship with the United States, Western Europe and the rest of the world."

The Romanian Social Democrat leader also writes that he thinks it is fair to say that the Obama administration's shift in missile-defence policy created a "delicate" moment for Central and Eastern Europe but notes an impasse need not be a crisis and says it would be far better to see it as an opportunity.

"This relationship does not need a reset button. It does, however, deserve an upgrade," Geoana writes in conclusion.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).