• 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.

Almost half of Romanians live in poverty
Almost half of the Romanians (8.89 millions) are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to Eurostat data published today (Weds).

Police carry man off the snow and save his life
A man who had collapsed in freezing weather near a river, in Stoina, Gorj, southern Romania, was saved after policemen carried him for several kilometres.

New government with same eight former ministers proposed
The Romanian parliament will vote on the new government team, proposed by designated Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, tomorrow (Thurs).

Forty-one dead in freezing weather
Another three persons have died due to low temperatures in the last 24 hours, the Romanian Health Ministry said today (Weds).

EC report on Justice is positive, minister says
Romanian Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu currently acting prime minister until the new government is voted in by the parliament, said today (Weds) that the European Commission's interim report on progress in justice is, overall, "positive".

Pink Martini concerts in Bucharest
American orchestra Pink Martini will give a concert in Bucharest on 26 May at the Palace Hall, part of the promotional tour for their latest album "A Retrospective", local organisers Events said today (Weds).

Romania's industrial output up
Romania's industrial output increased by 15.6 per cent in 2011, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said today (Weds).

Father tried for abusing four-year-old girl
A Romanian father was sent to trial for abusing his stepdaughter, aged only 4, prosecutors said today (Weds).

Pitch in best condition for Steaua-Twente match, authorities say
The pitch for the Europa League match Steaua Bucuresti - Twente Enschede will be in optimal condition, the Bucharest town hall promises, after criticism of the National Arena turf.

More Romanian tourists travel to Austria
The number of Romanian tourists to Austria rose last year, after two years of a decline, Austria's National Tourism Office in Romania announced today (Weds).