Sebastian Kurz

The Austrian Chancellor's visit to Romania is an important moment, symbolically marking the handover of the Presidency of the EU Council from the Austrian Government to the Government of Romania and the transition from a protected Europe - the motto of the Austrian Presidency - to a Europe in which cohesion is seen as a common value, said Prime Minister Viorica Dancila.

The Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, on Friday stated, regarding the emergency ordinance on the fiscal measures announced by the Minister of Finance, that he is not worried about the Austrian companies, as he knows they could just pack their things and leave.

President Klaus Iohannis on Friday said, referring to the emergency ordinance on the fiscal measures announced by the Finance Minister, that such measures clearly have a negative impact on the economy, as they haven't been prepared, underscoring that he hopes that his call on the government to resume the discussion and come up with a package of explicable measures has been understood.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila welcomed at the Victoria Governmental Palace on Friday Austria's Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who is currently paying an official visit to Bucharest.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Friday thanked Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for taking care of democracy and rule of law.

"I want to thank him for, as President, he took care of democracy, of the rule of law," the Austrian Chancellor told the Romanian head of state, at the joint press conference they held at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

Romania is taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Austria, a trustworthy and good partner, President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday.

President Klaus Iohannis welcomed the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Friday at the Cotroceni Palace.

The Austrian official's visit to Romania is taking place in a context in which Romania will take over from 1 January 2019 the Presidency of the EU Council from Austria.

"We are witnessing the digitization of the economy all over the world. A process that is supposed to be called "Industry 4.0," and experts define it as the Industrial Revolution of today. And like every revolution, it brings many opportunities, but also challenges for the labor market and the economy as a whole.

President Klaus Iohannis will attend the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe on Monday and Tuesday in Vienna.

On Monday, the head of state will participate in the official dinner offered by Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz, in honor of the delegations heads.

AGERPRES special correspondent Madalina Cerban reports: President Klaus Iohannis talked on Thursday in Brussels with Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz about the visit that the Austrian official will pay to Romania on 21 December, as well as about the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.