Welcome to Romania for H.E. Mr. Thomas Baekelandt, the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Romania!

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Romania, H.E. Mr. Thomas Baekelandt, arrived at the beginning of September in Bucharest to take over his new diplomatic mission. We would like to welcome him in Romania and wish him good luck in fulfilling his mandate! We look forward to cooperate with him in order to continue to explore new ways of developing relations between our countries. On September 16 2015,

Mr. Thomas Baekelandt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Romania presented the copies of his credentials to the Romanian MFA. On September 18, the President of Romania welcomed at Cotroceni Palace the new ambassador of Belgium. President Iohannis expressed a warm welcome to Romania and wished him success in completing his mandate. (presidency.ro; mae.ro; romaniajournal.ro)

NATO’s Secretary General official visit to Romania

Mr. Jens Stoltenber, NATO’s Secretary General, paid an official visit to Romania on 2 July 2015. He was received by Mr. Klaus Iohannis, the President of Romania, at Cotroceni Palace. The Secretary General also met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, and the Minister of National Defence, Mircea Duşa. The discussions included challenges to Alliance security from the East and the South, and NATO's continued adaptation to face them. Mr. Stoltenberg thanked Romania for its considerable contributions to Allied security. At a joint press conference with President Iohannis, Mr. Stoltenberg described Romania as a “steadfast ally,” stressing that “NATO counts on Romania, and Romania can count on NATO.”

NATO’s Secretary General inaugurated the new NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in Bucharest, one of six Headquarters being set up across the eastern part of the Alliance to facilitate planning, exercises, and potential reinforcements. Accompanied by

President Klaus Iohannis, acting Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea, and Defence Minister Mircea Duşa, Mr. Stoltenberg toured the NFIU and underlined that the unit sends “a clear message: NATO is here. NATO is ready to defend Romania against any threat.”(presidency.ro; nato.int)

Romania at the UN General Assembly President Klaus Iohannis headed the Romanian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly that marked the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations (24-29 September 2015). The event had a special significance for Romania as it also marked 60 years of Romania's UN membership. In this context, President Klaus Iohannis delivered official speeches to the UN meetings including the meeting in which the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development was adopted. As the President said, this represents “a historical decision on a set of universal objectives for the constantly changing world in which we live.” In his speech to the UN General Assembly, he emphasized that “Romania is among those countries that has fully trusted and supported unconditionally the United Nations”. He underlined that Romania has often been in the front line of major campaigns undertaken by the United Nations. He highlighted just a few of the topics that were subject of initiatives taken by Romania in the General Assembly, the Security Council or the human rights bodies: arms control and disarmament; good relations among neighboring states; role of science and technology

in development; a more effective and influential role of the youth; an increased cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and arrangements; promotion and consolidation of democracy. “Since 1991, Romania has participated with troops in peace-keeping operations across all continents from Angola to Cambodia, from Somalia to Haiti, from former Yugoslavia to Rwanda. Moreover, Romania hosts the Centre of Excellence for Protection and Security, which contributes to the training of special categories of UN peace-keepers. Since 2008, Romania has been part of one of the most innovative formulas for the protection of refugees, by hosting the first Emergency Transit Centre in Timişoara, as a result of an agreement with UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration. After almost two decades as recipient, Romania became itself a provider of Official Development Assistance to countries in our neighborhood and beyond,” Romania’s President stated in front of the UN Assembly. On this occasion, President Iohannis met, in Washington DC, US Vice President Joseph Biden. The President also had several meetings with US investors and representatives of the Romanian community in the US. (nineoclock.ro; agerpres.ro)

NEWSLETTER

Embassy of Romania in Belgium

omania in Belgium

No 11 July - September 2015

Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy 2015 Between 1-4 September 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy (RADR), on “Romania and Security Challenges within the European and Euro-Atlantic Area. Risks, Opportunities and Diplomatic Action.” Attending the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy were the President

of Romania, the Prime Minister of Romania, the Presidents of the Senate and of the Chamber of Deputies, the heads of the permanent diplomatic missions – ambassadors, consuls general, directors of Romanian Cultural Institutes. The event was an opportunity to review the activity of the Romanian MFA during the last year and to set the general priorities for the year to come. The plenary sessions of RADR 2015 discussed key topics and took benefit of contributions by keynote speakers like the Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende, Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak and the Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. (mae.ro)

Romania's Chairmanship-in-office of the BSEC As of 1 July 2015, Romania holds the semestrial Chairmanship-in-office of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). It is for the fifth time Romania holds this mandate in the 23 years since the creation of the Organization. Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu received

Ambassador Michael Christides, Secretary General of the BSEC Permanent International Secretariat in Bucharest on 17 September 2015. Romanian Foreign Minister reiterated that regional cooperation between the countries in the Black Sea region had been and remained one of Romania's top foreign policy priorities, and that BSEC - a platform that brings together 12 countries in the region - had the role to create, for all these countries, through economic cooperation, mutual common interests which, at a certain time, would be powerful enough to create the confidence needed to settle disputes between them by peaceful means. (mae.ro)

The working visit of Prime Minister Victor Ponta to EBRD The Romanian Prime Minister paid a working visit to London (September 24), to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development accompanied by Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici and the Minister of Transport Iulian Matache, during which he held talks with EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti and the

bank’s first vice president Phil Bennett. Several projects considered as priorities by the Government in the field of Transport, Energy and Public Works were presented in London by Prime Minister Ponta during the meeting with the management of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).(roumaniajournal.ro; gov.ro)

Consultations between Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu and his Dutch counterpart Bert Koenders

On September 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Bert Koenders, during his visit to Bucharest at the invitation of Romanian Minister. This is the second visit of Minister Bert Koenders to Bucharest during 2015, a year

that marks the anniversary of 135 years since the initiation of Romanian-Dutch diplomatic relations. After the bilateral consultations, the anniversary was marked by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs who attended a concert performed by the prestigious Amsterdam Royal Orchestra in the framework of the "George Enescu" International Festival. Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania hosted an exhibition of diplomatic documents from the archives of the institution, relevant for the Romanian-Dutch history. (mae.ro)

Minister Bogdan Aurescu attends informal meeting of Foreign Ministers from EU Member States (Gymnich format)

On September 4-5, 2015, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers from EU Member States (Gymnich format) in Luxemburg. The meeting’s agenda included developments in the Eastern Neighborhood and EU-Russia relations, the EU’s role in the Middle East, especially in

support of the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process, and developments in the Iranian nuclear dossier, as well as the topic of migration. On Eastern Neighborhood, Minister Bogdan Aurescu spoke of the need for a more significant, medium- and long-term commitment of the EU to the region, reiterating the importance of European support for stimulating the partner states, especially those that wish to deepen their cooperation with the EU, such as the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. (mae.ro)

Common visit to Montenegro by Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu and counterparts from Poland, Croatia and Hungary

On July 22 and 23, 2015, at the initiative of the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs took place a joint visit to Montenegro by four NATO Foreign Ministers. The head of Romanian diplomacy was accompanied by the Foreign Ministers of Poland, Croatia and Hungary. This Romanian diplomatic initiative proves Romania’s constant

support for Montenegro’s bid to join NATO, and the main goal of the joint visit was to convey a strong message of support and encouragement to continue the reform process needed to join the Alliance. (mae.ro)

Romanian diplomats appointed as heads of the European Union Delegations

Romanian diplomat Traian Hristea was appointed as the Head of the European Union Delegation in Kazakhstan, in the context of the announcement of the new organization chart of the European External Action Service (EEAS), on July 28 2015. Mrs. Denisa-Elena Ionete, a Romanian national, was appointed as the Head of the EU Delegation to Tchad, in the context of the announcement made by EEAS about the nomination of 19 new head of EU delegations.

Romania’s International Agenda

Belgian Personalities awarded by Romania's President with the order “Meritul Cultural”

On July 2, at the Residence of the Romanian Ambassador in the Kingdom of Belgium took place the ceremony of conferring the decorations awarded by the President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis, by the Decrees signed on June

2, 2015, to several Belgian personalities that contributed to the promotion of the Romanian culture in Belgium. Ambassador of Romania handed the decorations to Mr. Jan De Maere, Professor of V.U.B. (“Cultural Merit” order in the rank of Grand Officer – E -

“National Cultural Heritage”), to Mr. Hervé Hasquin, Permanent Secretary of the Royal Academy of Belgium (“Cultural Merit” order in the rank of Commander – F – Promotion of Culture) as well as to Mr. Eric Tomas, Mayor of Anderlecht (“Cultural Merit” order in the rank of Commander – F – Promotion of Culture). The decorations were awarded in the context of the 135

th anniversary of diplomatic relations

between Romania and Belgium, and as recognition of the role of the three distinguished personalities in promoting the recognition of Dimitrie Cantemir, as a scholar and prince, in Brussels.

Meeting the President of the Inter-parliamentary group of friendship Belgium – Romania (6th of July)

On July 6, Ambassador of Romania met Mrs. Muriel Gerkens, Member of the federal Chamber of Representatives, President of the Inter-parliamentary friendship group Belgium – Romania. Discussions focused on preparing the visit of the Romanian members of the

group to Brussels, November 2015.

Ambassador of Romania meets the Belgian Minister of Defense On 7 July 2015, Romania's Ambassador in Belgium, Mr. Ştefan Tinca, met with Mr. Steven Vandeput, Federal Minister of Defense. The discussions focused on the perspectives of bilateral military cooperation. Both parties confirmed the interest for a better mutual understanding of the priorities and assessments in the field of security, against a regional, European and global backdrop marked by numerous sources of preoccupation.

Official opening of the exhibition De Roemenen en de Grote Oorlog inBruges (8 July 2015) On July 8, 2015, in the impressive Province Hall of the Provincial Palace in Bruges, took place the official opening of the exhibition De Romenen en de Grote Oorlog The Romanians and the Great War) organized by the Embassy of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute (RCI) under the patronage of the Governor of the Province of Western Flanders. The event was organized with the support of the Flander's Department for Foreign Affairs and of the Romanian Honorary Consul in Bruges, Mr. Joeri Beuren. The exhibition was opened by Governor Carl Decaluwé, the Ambassador of Romania in the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Ştefan Tinca and the representative of the RCI, Mr. Robert Adam.

The Second Edition of the World Forum of the French Language (Liège 20-23 July 2015)

Between 20-23 July, the city of Liège hosted the Second Edition of the World Forum of the French Language, initiative of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie in cooperation with Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles. The Belgian edition entitled "Créactivez-vous!" was dedicated to the topic of innovation and the digital era. The representative of

the Embassy attended the opening ceremony and congratulated the seven participants from Romania that proposed three projects: learning French and acquiring intercultural competences through gastronomy; applications for the persons with visual deficiencies; Radioelecto, a project that allows the students to post and transmit data on Internet.

Official celebrations of 25 Years since the establishment of the Support Committe for the Village of Cristian (Sibiu County, Romania) by the City of Leuven On 5 August 2015, the City Hall of Leuven and the Leuven-Cristian Cooperation

Committee organized an official ceremony to celebrate 25 years since the ‘adoption’ of the village of Cristian, in Romania, by the City of Leuven, during a campaign that revealed the solidarity between the Belgian and Romanian municipalities known „Operation Villages Roumains / Actie Dorpen Roemenie”. The event took place at the City Hall of Leuven and

occasioned the signing, by the two mayors (Luis Tobback and Ioan Seuchea), of the Act of the Official Twinning between Leuven and Cristian. The Ceremony was concluded by a reception hosted by the Mayor of Leuven and the projection of a documentary about the major projects of modernization supported by the Belgian partners, including selected images from the visit at Cristian of Their Majesties, King Albert II and Queen Paola, in July 2009.

The official reception organized by the Mayor of Liège and the Romanian Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium on the occasion of the sixth edition of the Club Cars Rally Liège-Sofia-Liège

On 20 August, the Liège Town Hall hosted the official reception organized by the Mayor of Liège and the Romanian Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium on the occasion of the sixth edition of the Club Cars Rally Liège-Sofia-Liège (21-27 August 2015) that ended in Bucharest. The event was open by Mr. Pierre Stassart, Echevin of Liège, who underlined the historical importance of the Rally, the excellent cooperation between Belgium and Romania as well as the beauty of the Romanian route that will be discovered by the participants to the Rally. The Ambassador of Romania emphasized the exceptional Belgian-Romanian cooperation, strengthened by resuming this

type of events that are a bond between past and present and are opening new opportunities to discover the tourism potential of Romania. Mr. Jean François Devillers, the organizer of the Rally, has underlined the special significance of resuming the historical rally of vintage cars and acknowledged the support of the Romanian authorities. The reception was attended by local authorities and personalities, the vintage cars crews as well as members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, high level officials of international institutions in Brussels, representatives of the business community and members of the Romanian community in Belgium.

Our Agenda

Celebrating the Day of the Romanian Language On 30 August 2015, the Embassy of Romania and the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova joined the initiative of the Association Arthis in Brussels, which organized “The Celebration of the Romanian Language”. The representative of the Embassy presented the public message of the Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of Belgium dedicated to the celebration of the “Day of the Romanian Language”. On the occasion, there were presented a Radio-TV Arthis interview with the Academician Nicolae Dabija, as well as an exhibition of photographs dedicated to the topic. A special artistic performance was offered to the public by the Zamfira folk dances group. A numerous

public attended the event, including members of the Romanian community, as well as citizens of the Republic of Moldova and Belgian citizens speaking Romanian.

The exhibition «De Roemenen en de Grote Oorlog » in Leopoldsburg, Limburg Province (11 September – 15 October)

On 11 September 2015, at the Kamp Van Beverloo Military History Museum in Leopoldsburg, took place the official opening of the

exhibition De Roemenen en de Grote Oorlog under the patronage of the Romanian Embassy in Bruxelles and of the Romanian Cultural Institute, with the support of the Military Museum of Leopoldsburg, the Mayor of Leopoldsburg and of the Association LimPRo vzw from the Province of Limburg. This was the forth presentation of this itinerant exhibition in Belgium since the beginning of 2015. The exhibition was officially opened by H.E. Ştefan Tinca, Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Wouter Beke, the mayor of Leopoldsburg and the President of the Flemish Christian Democrat Party(CD&V), Mr. Sylvain Weuts, the director of the Kamp Van Beverloo Museum and Mr. Patrick Van den Nieuwenhof, the representative of the LimPRO and Actie Dorpen Roemenie Association.

Romania’s presence at European Day of the Flags (Bruxelles, 1 September 2015) On 1 September 2015, the Union of the Former Combatants of the Royal Belgian Army UAFC-VOV 40-45 organized the European Day of the Flags, a parade of the 28

th flags of the EU Member States and of several Belgian

Patriotic Associations, together with representatives of the Police, Firefighters, Red Cross and Civil Protection. Representatives of the Romanian Embassy and of the Romanian Military Representation to NATO and EU attended the event. The parade started with a ceremony at the

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Place du Congrès, in the presence of Mr. Geoffroy Coomans de Brachène, Echevin of Brussels, and continued to the Grand Place, at Hotel de Ville. The Romanian Flag was present to this high visibility event that had a special significance in Belgium, in the context of celebrating 70 years since the end of the Second World War.

EuRoCultura Festival (24-27 September, Brussels) The first edition of EuRoCultura Festival, meant to promote Romanian contemporary theater and music, took place at BOZAR, from September 24 to September 27, at the initiative of Romanian MEP Mircea Diaconu and European Artists Management, with the support of the Embassy of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute. The two plays presented to the public, with written simultaneous translation, Aprilie, dimineata (April, in the morning) and Matrimoniale (Matchmaking), as well as the concert given by Marius Mihalache and his band, the famous Romanian cymbal player, were highly appreciated by the Romanian and European audience.

Third edition of EuropaNova Festival Terres Mythiques (23-28 September, Brussels) The cultural association EuropaNova has organized, between September 23 and September 28, the third edition of the cultural festival Terres Mythiques. This edition had as a central topic the theme of migration, which was presented through different lenses, with film projections, literary debates, culinary events, music and traditional dances. The focus of EuropaNova remains that of multiculturalism and diversity in South-Eastern Europe and was echoed by the support offered to the festival by the embassies of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

FUTURE EVENTS

New meeting of the Steering Committee of CAROMB (Romanian – Belgian Business Club)

Gala dinnner The Romanian Cuisine Reinvented by the Famous Chefs, 9th

of October, Brussels (by invitation only)

Paysages croises: au fil des saisons en Romanie et en Belgique, exhibition by Felix Mirea, official opening on the 23rd of October (Residence of the Ambassador, Brussels)

The 5th

edition of the Decentralized Cooperation Forum Romania – Belgium (Iasi, 5-7 November 2015)

Meeting of the ministers of Defence of Romania and Belgium (18th

of November, Brussels)

Visit of the Romanian deputies members of the inter-parliamentary bilateral friendship group to the Federal Parliament (19

th of November,

Brussels) Celebrating Romania’s National Day (1

st of December) and the Day of All

Romanians (30th

of November) Exhibition Romanians and the Great War, Parliament of Walonia, Namur (2-

15 December, 2015) Meeting between the ministers of Foreign Affairs of Romania and Belgium

(December, Brussels)

EMBASSY OF ROMANIA In the Kingdom of Belgium

If you want to know more about our

activities, please visit our website

http://bruxelles.mae.ro

or write us at

newsletter@roumanieamb.be

Phone: +32 (0)2 345 26 80

Fax: +32 (0)2 346 23 45

Rue Gabrielle 105,

B – 1180 Bruxelles

Public Diplomacy