Latest News from Romania

Romania's government on Thursday inaugurated its six-month presidency of the European Union Council amid popular protests and renewed calls from EU guests for the country to continue to fight corruption.

Romania took control of the Council of the EU's rotating presidency on January 1 and will be responsible for ensuring the continuity of the EU's work until June, reported DW. 

The former Communist country only joined the EU in January 2007 and has been at odds with Brussels regarding the rule of law, separation of powers and corruption.

UPDATED 12:10

Bucharest, Jan 11 /Agerpres/ - Romania's Presidency at the Council of the European Union takes place at a "difficult" time for Europe, said, on Friday, the head of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, during the meeting of the College of Commissioners with President Klaus Iohannis, which took place at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

President Klaus Iohannis on Friday welcomed at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, in the context of the taking over by Romania of the rotating Presidency at the Council of the EU.

The two high officials will have a tete-a-tete conversation, after which the head of state will have a meeting of the College of Commissioners.

Minister-delegate for European Affairs George Ciamba highlighted, in the meeting on Thursday with his French counterpart Nathalie Loiseau, Romania's interest in ensuring a successful mandate at the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

UPDATED 22:51

Bucharest, Jan 10 /Agerpres/ - European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday evening voiced his confidence that Romania will perform "with energy and with wisdom a true Romanian Rhapsody" during the six months when the country holds the Presidency at the Council of the European Union.