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

24. 01. 12. - 13:00

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

24. 01. 12. - 13:00

Romanians celebrate 153 years since the Union of the Principalities

Romanian Times

Romanians celebrate on 24 January the 153rd anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities, Moldavia and Wallachia, a highly important event in this country's history, which opened the way to the modernisation of the Romanian State and society.

On 24 January 1859, as a result of the wish of the Romanian people, and in a favourable international context, the political unification of the then two Romanian principalities - Wallachia, today a southern region, and Moldavia, today's eastern region, was achieved under the ruler elect Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Agerpres reports.

The union of the two principalities, which were under Turkish suzerainty, was back then one of the main desiderata of the Romanian people, alongside winning national freedom. The unification of the two principalities was also the essence of what was used to be called "the Romanian question", which came back to the attention of the big European powers amidst the Crimean War (1853-56).

A genuine unification movement emerged at that time in the two principalities. Concurrently, the Romanian revolutionaries of the 1848 Revolution, self-exiled in Europe's big power countries, played an important part in winning the attention of the European politicians and the public opinion for the unification desideratum of the Romanian people. Political and cultural personalities closely followed this issue's developments, voicing support and enthusiasm for the achievement of the unification. The Union of the Romanian Principalities was particularly supported by Emperor Napoleon III of France.

Ad-hoc assemblies, convened in 1857 in Wallachia and Moldavia, under the 1856 Paris Peace Treaty, passed resolutions urging, among other things, the two principalities' unification into a single country, to be called Romania. The 1858 Paris Convention drawn up by the big European powers - a real fundamental law for the two principalities - stipulated the maintenance of the two countries separated, under two different rulers, governed by two separate legislative assemblies and having two capitals. The Convention failed to specify that the rulers elected in the two countries shall be different people, and the Romanians, who resumed their fight for the unification with even greater zest, capitalised on this detail.

On 5 January 1859, Moldavia's elective assembly unanimously elected Colonel Alexandru Ioan Cuza, a well-known 1848 revolutionary, as ruler. In Wallachia, the leaders of the unification movement had already thought about electing Al I Cuza its ruler. Between 22 and 24 January the elective assembly was under great popular pressure, which led to the unanimous election on 24 January 1859 of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as ruler of Wallachia, bringing to fulfilment the unification of the two principalities. On 8 February, Cuza was welcomed in Bucharest with pomp and circumstance.

Facing the "fait accompli", the big powers recognised Alexandru Ioan Cuza as ruler of both principalities, but the recognition was limited to his own person.

In 1859-1861, Al I Cuza carried out vast political and diplomatic actions in order to gain recognition for his double election and permanent unification of the two principalities by unifying the governments and legislative assemblies in Iasi and Bucharest.

In January 1862, the first single government and the first single Parliament of Romania became operational in Bucharest, the city designated as Romania's capital. In his inaugural speech to Parliament, Al I Cuza solemnly declared "the final unification of the Principalities" and that "A new day is starting today for Romania, as it is finally entering the path that will lead to the fulfilment of its destiny."

The unification generated a favourable framework for the modernisation of the Romanian society. Under Cuza's rule (1859-66), sweeping reforms were started in the economy, society, the judiciary, education and the army. In 1877-1878, Romania conquered and proclaimed its state independence and, in 1918, following the Greater Union of 1 December 1918, when Transylvania joined in, the formation of the national unitary state of Romania was fully accomplished.

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).