PLAYING OINA WITH the Romanian Presidency - Arcturus Group
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PLAYING OINA WITH the Romanian
Presidency
1
Table of contents
INTERVIEW OF Siegfried Muresan, MEP (EPP)
` 47
PRIORITIES OF THE Romanian PRESIDENCY 810
POLITICAL CALENDAR FOR THE NExT SIx MONTHS 1011
wHAT ABOUT Romania? 1217
Some useful words 18
Let's play OinA! 19
3
INTERVIEW OF Siegfried MureSan relationship between the EU and the UK. Climate change is a crucial global challenge
`
This new relationship, which will probably that asks for a European solution for the
Romanian EPP MEP be a trade agreement, should guarantee
that the interests of EU citizens and
future of our planet. My political family, the
EPP, is very much aware of the challenges
businesses are preserved. we are facing in terms of global warming
Hot Topics and CO2 emissions. We believe that Europe
Last October, the Intergovernmental must engage with its international partners
On November 14th,the European Panel on Climate Change released a very to internationally binding climate change
Parliament adopted its position on the alarming report highlighting a number of agreements and invest in innovative, safe,
Multinational Financial Framework (MFF) climate change impacts that could be and sustainable low-carbon energy
post 2020. At Council level, there are still avoided by limiting global warming to technologies that minimise our dependency
remaining sticking points. What are the 1.5ºC compared to 2ºC. Global human- to fossil fuels. The reduction of CO2
ambitions of the Romanian Presidency caused emissions of CO2 would need to emissions is crucial, but must be done at a
with regard to the adoption of the MFF fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by realistic pace and while protecting
post 2020? Would its adoption still be 2030, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050. European jobs and industries, which face
possible before the next European What should be the European political fierce international competition.
elections? answer to scientific data brought up by
the report?
The MFF post-2020 should be agreed upon
before the European elections of May 2019. Priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council
This is the position of the European
Parliament and this is what the Romanian Romania joined the EU in 2007 (which billion EUR in EU structural and investment
Presidency should aim for. The European makes it one of the newest). From your funds. These funds have provided crucial
Parliament has set out its priorities in a very point of view, what are the main benefits support to SMEs and to farmers, as well as
clear manner. First of all, as a matter of you have observed since the adhesion? to investments in infrastructure and
principle, if we call for the EU to be more Siegfried Mureșan
research.
ambitious and take up more tasks, we need There are plenty of benefits Romania is
a bigger budget. And we can clearly see After months of negotiations, the UK and reaping from its EU membership. First, there It is the very first time Romania is taking
that the priorities of the EU have multiplied EU have come up with a draft withdrawal is the advantage of being part of such a big over the presidency of the Council. Do
in the past years, security being one of agreement. The UK Parliament and EU family of nations in a project that aims at you consider this aspect to be a strength
these new priorities. Member States should ratify the peace, prosperity and freedom. This has led or a weakness? What kind of vision could
agreement before 29 March 2019, which to significant reforms in Romania in many Romania bring to other Members States?
On the other hand, the European will allow the parties to start negotiating areas of EU competence.
Parliament calls for maintaining the level of their new relationship after Brexit. How is I think it is always a challenge when a
investments in the EU regions and the Romania looking to advance the Secondly, being able to access the largest country has never held the Presidency
agricultural sector. Regional policy is the negotiations in the coming months? Single Market in the world brings economic before, especially a newer Member State.
main investment tool of the EU which growth and creates job opportunities. This could be a great opportunity to put
generates millions of jobs across Europe. At The truth is that, whether we like it or not, Romanians are also allowed to travel, work Romania on the map of the European
the same time, investments in agriculture on 29 March 2019 Britain will leave the EU. and live freely in any of the other EU Union.
and our rural areas guarantee a high level of Having in place a withdrawal agreement by Member States. I think this brings positive
food security and standards. that date is imperative in order to avoid a developments to our country through the It will also be an opportunity to advance
disorderly exit of the UK from the Union, diffusion of Western values and norms, as certain priorities and files which are being
The adoption of the new MFF before the which will have negative consequences for well as through the economic contribution discussed at EU level. The multiannual
European elections is necessary in order to citizens and businesses alike. the diaspora brings. budget of the EU should definitely be one
avoid delays such as those which we of these priorities. The EU Neighbourhood
experienced in the current MFF. Due to In case the agreement is ratified by both Last but not least, Romania largely benefits and the Western Balkans are another
these dalays, full implementation of EU parties, the Romanian Presidency will have from the European Structural and priority which should be brought forward
funded programmes was very late and it an important role in steering discussions Investment Funds. Since our accession to during the Romanian Presidency.
affected primarily beneficiaries of EU funds. within the EU Council on the new the EU, Romania has received more than 48
5
Tell us
Two weeks before the May 23-26 Brexit negotiations, where we have had the Which Romanian culinary specialty would
European Parliament elections, Romania upper hand because we spoke with a single you recommend?
will host, in Sibiu, the first EU summit voice.
after Brexit, in which the future of the I recommend the dessert called papanași,
Regional policy, which generates economic, which is a traditional fried or boiled pastry,
more about
Union will be discussed. How do you think
EU officials could encourage voters to social and territorial cohesion in the EU, is doughnut shaped with a small sphere on
participate in the elections, bearing in the most important investment policy of the top. They are filled with a soft cheese and
mind that the turnout has constantly EU. This is why the EP will push for a strong served covered in sour cream and jam.
cohesion policy after 2020 which favours
Romania
fallen since 1979? How is Romania
investments in areas that generate Of which Romanian tradition are you
preparing for the Sibiu summit?
sustainable growth and jobs. proudest?
I think politicians must engage more with
The European elections in May 2019 are Romania has many beautiful traditions and
the citizens. I think the low turnout in the EU
approaching quickly. What are the one that I particularly like is Mărțișor, a
elections is the result of a lack of
dossiers on which the Romanian celebration at the beginning of spring. On
communication between the EU and its Could you briefly introduce your country?
Presidency would like to focus and finalize March 1st, Romanians buy silky red-white
citizens. We, the European politicians, must
before the next European elections? threads (șnur) tied into a bow to which a
do more and better communicate the Geographically speaking, Romania is one of
small trinket is attached and offer them to
benefits of the EU on the daily life of the largest countries in Europe (roughly the
As previously mentioned, it is very important their family members, friends and
citizens. It is important that we show to size of the United Kingdom). One finds a
to reach a good agreement on the colleagues to show friendship, respect or
citizens concrete projects and policies of the variety of beautiful landforms in Romania,
Multiannual Financial Framework and its admiration. It is mostly offered to women,
EU which have a positive impact on their from the breathtaking Carpathian
sectoral proposals. We must achieve a but in some regions of the country also to
lives. This is also the proper way to fight Mountains, to the Black Sea and the
budget that is simple and flexible, with men.
against populists and extremists, who use Danube Delta.
instruments that can be easily activated in
disinformation to criticise the EU. Could you recommend me a contem-
situations of crisis or unpredictability. We It joined the EU in 2007 and has ever since
must also make sure that it fosters cohesion porary Romanian singer/writer/artist?
The Summit in Sibiu is an important been on a pro-European trajectory,
occasion for leaders to discuss the future of and prosperity for all, whilst dealing with the reflected by the voice of Romanian people, I strongly recommend Herta Müller, an
Europe and what we envisage our Union to gap Britain’s exit will leave on the existing who often show their support for and ethnically German Romanian novelist, poet
be from now on. Romania should do its best budget. openness to the EU. and essayist. She writes about issues such as
to make sure that this summit is a success, identity, belonging and the violence and
With regard to Brexit, the Romanian If I plan to go to Romania for one week-
given the high stakes it has. It is also terror of the Socialist Republic of Romania.
Presidency should also be prepared for a end, what should I absolutely see/
another important occasion to put Romania Her work has been extremely well
situation in which the Withdrawal discover?
on the map of the European Union and acclaimed and translated into over 22
Agreement is not ratified by the British
show the cultural, touristic and social languages. In 2009, she obtained the Nobel
Parliament. If this is the case, then As I am from Transylvania, I will be a bit
richness of our country in a beautiful city like literature prize for her work.
negotiations need to start all over again on subjective and recommend this beautiful
Sibiu.
many important topics and a great dose of region, where you can visit the well
The motto of the Romanian Presidency is diplomacy and competence will be needed preserved medieval towns such as
“Cohesion, a shared European value”. Do to reach a new deal. Sighișoara, or the most important Gothic-
you think that the EU could do more to style secular building in Transylvania - the
Another priority should be the relationship Hunyad Castle - located in Hunedoara, my
enhance the cohesion in Europe?
with Moldova and the Eastern hometown.
I think this is a very important point and I Neighbourhood, paying special attention to
indeed share the view that we must fostering stabilisation, security and Alternatively, for a great weekend of history,
enhance the cohesion in our European prosperity in these regions and bringing culture and entertainment, there is much to
Union. From East to West, from North to them closer to our Union. do and see in the Romanian capital,
South, we must be more united and strive Bucharest, where you could visit the House
to work together constructively. I think a of People, the Romanian Atheneum and
good example of team work has been the enjoy the city’s many museums, cafes and
restaurants.
7
PRIORITIES OF THE RomaniaN The Romanian Minister for EU Affairs George Ciamba has
already declared that his country will put a specific focus on
PRESIDENCY
the asylum and migration legislative packages that are
currently discussed by the European Parliament and the
Council of ministers.
For the first time since its accession, Romania is taking over the Presidency of the Council of More concretely, the Romanian Presidency will be in charge
the EU in January 2019. The Romanian Presidency, which is the first one of the forthcoming of finding political agreements on legislative texts such as
TRIO made of Romania, Finland and Croatia, is coming at a seminal moment for the the Asylum Procedure Regulation, the Reform of the Dublin
European Union. The discussions on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU will Regulation, the Directive on the Return of Illegally Staying
enter in their final phase. From March 2019, with or without a transitional deal, Brexit will be Third-Country Nationals as well as the Regulation on the
a reality. Then, in May 2019, citizens all across the continent will vote in the European European Border and Coast Guard on which the Interior
elections and express their preferences on the future of the European integration and the Ministers have recently reached a partial general approach.
political colours of the next European Commission.
The discussions on the Reform of the Dublin Regulation,
In the meantime, the Romanian Presidency will have to take the lead on the tough talks clarifying Member States’ responsibilities in processing
between the Member States on the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework of the asylum applications as well as the concept of solidarity, are
European Union for the period 2021-2027. This key piece of legislation defines the EU’s expected to be the toughest ones. In addition, a specific
budget and priorities at large through countries’ contributions and specific expense lines. attention will be given to cybersecurity as well as to the
The Romanian Presidency will have the hard task to favour a compromise on this text, as the
national governments will count every single resource they will provide to the EU budget as
well as how much they are likely to get back in terms of funding opportunities.
fight against terrorism and radicalisation. More precisely, an
agreement is expected to be reached on the proposal for a
regulation on the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA).
02
Security
Finally, on the 9th May 2019 Romania will host on its territory the Summit of Sibiu that will
conclude the discussions launched in 2017 on the “Future of Europe”. There, the European
leaders are likely to have a frank debate on which European Union they want for the future
while addressing the most divisive pending issues of the MFF 2021-2027. In the field of External Relations, the Romanian Presidency
has the intention to put an accent on the development of
the EU’s defence capacities (European Defence Fund,
Romania is determined to advance the discussions on the Permanent Structured Cooperation) and on the
different funding programmes of the European Union: the reinforcement of the cooperation between the European
European Regional Development and the European Union and the United Nations in the field of crisis response.
Cohesion Funds, the Connecting Europe Facility, Horizon
Europe, Erasmus, etc. In addition, the country will The advancement of the EU’s enlargement policy in the
concentrate on issues such as connectivity, transport and Western Balkans will be another important priority of the
energy. Romanian Presidency. The country will have to continue the
enlargement negotiations with the technically most
In the energy sector, a specific focus will be put on the advanced candidate countries – Montenegro and Serbia –
Recast Regulation on the Agency for the cooperation of for which the European Commission has already set an
energy regulators. indicative accession date in 2025.
In the field of Transports, the Presidency will try to reach The Romanian Presidency will also have to work on the
agreements on a series of legislative texts from the First preparation for the start of the accession talks with Albania
and the Second Mobility Packages: the Directive on and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that are
combined transport of goods, the Regulation on the expected to begin in June 2019. Finally, the Eastern
international market for coach and bus services as well as
on the Regulation on emission standards for heavy duty
01 Partnership, which will be celebrating its ten-year
anniversary, is also expected to be at the centre of the
03
vehicles. Growth & upcoming Romanian Presidency. External
Cohesion Policy
9
Finally, Romania has declared its intention to put at the
heart of its Presidency a discussion on the common
European values. Topics such as European solidarity,
03 | March 05 | May
cohesion, equal opportunities and social justice as well as • Estonia will hold legislative elections • 9th: Special Summit on the Future of
the fight against racism, xenophobia and intolerance should on the 3rd. The Centre party of the Europe (Sibiu, Romania): at their first
be addressed at the highest political level. current Prime Minister Jüri RATAS and meeting after Brexit, the European
the opposition Reform Party, led by heads of State and government are
Issues such as the recent tightening of social rights by some former MEP Kaja KALLAS, could be expected to adopt a declaration that
04
Member States for Europeans coming from other EU the biggest winners and thus form a will enshrine their vision for a
countries, the intensive discussions on social dumping coalition with other smaller parties. modernized EU27.
practices and on the selling of dual-quality products in the • Presidential elections in Slovakia are • The European elections will take place
Union are also likely to be addressed. common scheduled to be held by the 9th. The on from 23rd to the 26th of May. The
values race is expected to be quite open as number of MEPs will be reduced from
the current President Andrej KISKA 751 to 705 and the traditional partisan
has announced that he will not seek a balance is expected to change
second term and numerous following a surge of populist groups.
candidates have declared their • In Belgium, legislative and regional
Political calendar
intention to run. elections will take place on the 26th.
• 29th: The United Kingdom will officially Belgians will thus elect their members
leave the EU. A transition period, of Parliament at the federal, regional
for the next six
lasting until at least 2020, will follow. and community levels as well as their
• 21st & 22nd: EU Council on economic members of the European Parliament.
issues and trade.
months
• Ukraine is set to hold its Presidential
elections on the 31st. Former Prime
Minister Yulia TYMOSHENKO is said
to be a favourite.
06 | June
01 | January 02 | February • 20th – 21st: European Council meeting
devoted to adopting the Strategic
• On the 14th, the European Parliament
will adopt its own-initiative report on
the Future of the EU and will hold two
• 18th or 19th February: The Parliament’s
AGRI committee is expected to adopt
its reports on the reform of the
04 | April Agenda 2019-2024, which will guide
the work of the EU over the next five
years, and to discussing the Multi-
• Finland, which will hold the next Annual Financial Framework 2021-
debates on this topic in plenary with Common Agricultural Policy but may
Presidency of the Council, will 2027 which is expected to be adopted
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro not close the files before the end of its
organize legislative elections on the later in 2019.
SANCHEZ (14th-17th) and Estonian term due to time constraints and
14th. The latest polls indicate that the • The Danish general elections are
President Juha SIPILÄÄ (30th-31st). political sensitivity.
Social Democrats will beat all the scheduled to take place by the 17th.
• The European Parliament is expected • The European Parliament will hold its three current coalition parties.
to give its consent on the withdrawal last debate in plenary on the Future of Polls suggest that the Social
• The last plenary session of the Democrats could win the election. In
agreement of the United Kingdom. Europe with Italian Prime Minister
European Parliament will take place this scenario, current opposition
• The European Commission will Giuseppe CONTE (11th-14th).
on the 15th-18th of April, marking the leader Mette FREDERIKSEN could
present its proposals to extend • ALDE will elect its Spitzenkandidaten, official launch of the election become the country’s next Prime
qualified majority voting to certain choosing a team of candidates rather campaigns. Minister.
areas in taxation and social policies. than one candidate.
11
Salina Turda is a salt mine in the Durgău-Valea
Sărată area of TurdaSalina. Turda was ranked
among the "25 hidden gems around the world that
are worth the trek". Since 1992, Salina Turda has
been a halotherapy center and a popular tourist
attraction.
What about Romania?
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS HISTORY
• Romania is a southeastern European country which borders 6 countries: Moldova, • Dacians, the first mention of people living in Romania, come from Herodotus, a branch of
Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. Thracians, that inhabited Dacia
• The Romanian landscape is approximately one-third mountainous and one-third • Dacians were conquered by the Roman Empire before being invaded by the Goths
forested. Therefore, Romania enjoys an important wealth of natural resources: fecund • In the Middle Ages, Romanians were divided among three distinct principalities:
land for agriculture, pastures for livestock, etc. Wallachia, Moldova and Transylvania before being under Ottoman influence
• Romanian is the only Romance language in Eastern Europe and this has an important • As in other European countries, 1848 brought up the revolution upon Moldova, Wallachia
impact on the identity of Romanian people. The roman heritage has been reshaped and Transylvania, through Tudor VLADIMIRESCU and his Pandurs and the country
continuously by Romania’s position as a major continental migration route. became independent in 1877 (and a kingdom in 1881)
• Romania joined the European Union in 2007. • A long communist period took place between 1947 and 1989 until an uprising that
resulted in more than 1,000 deaths in Timișoara and Bucharest, and brought about the
fall of Ceauşescu and the end of the Communist regime in Romania.
13
tourist tips : food, drinks & places FUN FACTS
Sarmale (cabbage rolls) are
considered to be Romania’s
When it comes to drinks, Ţuica
(also known as palincă or
The historic blueprint for modern
national dish. These stuffed horincă) is the most common espresso machines is not Italian !
cabbage rolls are actually of Romanian spirit. You will be
Turkish origin, but the served with one small glass of Francesco Illy, founder of the Italian coffee
Take a shot ! Romanians claim that theirs are
the best.
this spirit wherever you will go
in Romania. Take it easy! (it
roasting company and inventor of the
revolutionary coffee machine, was actually born
contains 28 - 60% alcohol by in Timișoara (Romania). He later moved to
Arts & books
Mici are the most popular volume and is prepared only Vienna, and then to Trieste (Italy).
Romanian grill dish. Any from plums).
Romanian couldn’t even
imagine a proper barbercue Romanians really like soups. A
without them. local famous soup is called Did you know that Romania has one
“ciorbă de burtă” (tripe soup). of the best 4G coverages?
Romania occupies an impressive 4th place out of 78 countries.
Users in the country can expect speed of 35.61 Mbps, on
average, compared to just 21.16Mbps in the UK.
Bucharest has one of the world’s prettiest bookshops
Cărturești Carusel opened in 2015 in a restored 19th century
building. It contains more than 10,000 books, 5,000
Romania holds the
albums and DVDs and has a top floor bistro.
biggest population
of bears and wolves
National Museum of Art of Romania (MNaR)
in all Europe
The National Museum showcases the most important and
the most comprehensive collection of fine art works in the Bucharest’s Palace of the Parliament is the
country. It offers on display a permanent collection that world’s heaviest building
includes works by Romanian and international artists. Guinness World Records recognizes it as the heaviest
building on the planet.
National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC)
It opened in 2001, housed in the southwestern wing of the
Parliament Palace, and in time it has become one of the
most important contemporary art museums in Eastern
Europe. You will find an eclectic collection of Romanian
and Eastern European artists, as well as several temporary
exhibitions by thought-provoking, up-and-coming
Romanian artists.
15
SPORTS
Tennis player Ilie NĂSTASE, who won several Grand Slam titles and
dozens of other tournaments. He was the first player to be ranked
as number 1 by ATP from 1973 to 1974 and presented by the
Tennis Hall of Fame as "the most talented player ever to hold the
racquet. Simona HALEP won the last Roland Garros tournament.
Among other famous sportsmen/
women, Gheorghe MUREȘAN who is
the tallest player (2,31m) ever to have
played in the NBA, Gymanstic
The Transfagarasan legend Nadia COMĂNECI, who at
the age of 14 was the first
highway is not only gymnast to ever score a perfect
10 at the Olympic Games,
a beautiful road during the 1976 Summer
Olympics.
Ceausescu wanted to ensure that in case
of a Soviet invasion there was a speedy
way of escaping through the strategic
Romania has one of the happiest
mountain passes of the Southern
Carpathians.
cemeteries on Earth. Known as Merry
Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) and located in
the small town of Săpânţa, this cemetery
Gheorghe
is filled with darkly humorous
gravestones. An example:
MURESAN
Arc de triomphe (Who
needs Paris? Bucharest
has got its own) ' Want to show off a
bit during a conversation?
There you go: Steaua Bucharest was
“Underneath th
is heavy cross the first Eastern European side to win
the European Cup and the European
Lies my mothe
r in laws Supercup in 1986 (Take that PSG
Try not to wak and Man City fans!)
e her up
For if she com
es back home
She’ll bite my
head off.”
Football is the most popular sport
Stay here my de
ar Mother-in-law
”.
in the country
Nicknamed "The Maradona of the Carpathians", Gheorghe
HAGI is the greatest Romanian footballer of all time and one of
the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and
'90s. He can even brag himself to be one of the few to have
played for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
17
Oină
Some useful words
Hello! Bună ziua According to some theories, oină is the predecessor of baseball,
brought to the United States by Romanians who emigrated there.
Goodbye La revedere This traditional sport was documented for the first time in the 14th
century and became Romania’s national sport in 2014.
Good morning Bună dimineața There are several similarities between oină and baseball.
Oină is played between two teams of 11 players each, one
Good evening Bună seara batting side and one catching side. Their roles switch at
half time and the game lasts about 30 minutes, far
shorter than the three hours of a typical baseball
Thank you Mulțumesc
match. The team at bat is selected through a
procedure in which the referee throws the bat into
Excuse me! Mă scuzați ! the air and the players have to catch it. The last
one able to place at least four fingers on the bat
Please Te rog / Vă rog wins.
Historically speaking, oină became
One language is never enough O singură limbă nu e suficient
compulsory in Romanian schools in
1897 and was practiced in all the
I only speak a few words of Romanian Vorbesc foarte puțin româna ! Romanian regions. This initiative came
at a time when Romania was a young
One beer, please! O biere, vă rog country and the nationalistic narrative
was strong. During the communist years,
the sport was also quite popular, and
Cheers! Good Health! Noroc ! several clubs were run under the patronage
of state institutions such as the army or the
What's your name? Cum vă numiți ? police.
Today, oină is mainly played in Romania and
Moldova at the local and regional levels but
also got its brief moment in the spotlight on
the global stage. In fact, the first international
oină match in history took place in Germany
in June 2010. The winner was, perhaps not
too surprisingly, Romania.
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