The head of the Schengen, European Affairs and International Relationships Department quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu is participating in the Ministerial Reunion of the Salzburg Forum taking place in Prague, on 24-25 May, 2012.

The meeting agenda includes a debate on the aspects related to Schengen co-operation, on the Danube strategy, as well as on the evaluation process to be conducted during the next 18 months by the Forum, under the co-ordination of the Hungarian-Polish-Romanian joint presidency.

During the reunion, the participants will approach the new legal framework for Europol and the Agreement on the mutual recognition of the trans-border traffic-related crimes.

In the same context, the representatives of the states participating in the reunion will address a common letter to the Danish and Cypriot presidency of the EU Council and the European Union on their support for the Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen.

On Wednesday, May 23 2012, at the MAI venue, Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus met a Chinese delegation led by Wang Lequan, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Order, Homeland Security and Justice of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

During the meeting, the officials focused on the traditional relationship and friendship developed between the two countries, on the very important economic and cultural links between them. They highly appreciated the excellent co-operation in the public order and safety area existing between the Ministry of Administration and Interior and the Public Security Ministry in China, and especially the tight relationships between the Romanian Gendarmerie and the People’s Armed Police of China.

Minister Ioan Rus referred to the diversification of the bi-lateral co-operation relationships as a top-priority for the Romanian Ministry of Administration and Interior, especially in view of countering terrorism, organized crime, illegal migration and human trafficking. In this context, he put forth the idea of concluding an inter-government agreement on co-operation for countering organized crime and terrorism, document meant to strengthen the relationships between the two states.

This meeting was also attended, on behalf of the MAI, by secretary of state, head of the Public Order and Safety Department principal quaestor Ioan Cabulea, and by head of the Schengen, European Affairs and International Relationships Department quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu.

Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus welcomed the ambassador of Great Britain in Bucharest HE Martin Harris at the MAI venue on May 21, 2012.

During the meeting, the two parties underlined the excellent co-operation between the two states and pointed out the priorities in this area.

At the same time, various aspects related to the removal of the restrictions for the Romanian citizens on the labour market in Great Britain were also approached.

Regarding the future Olympics and the Para-Olympics scheduled to take place in London this summer, and this autumn respectively, the Romanian and Britain authorities agreed to strengthen co-operation in view of effectively countering the crimes committed by Romanians.

Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus welcomed the Ambassador of The Netherlands in Bucharest H.E. Johannes Jendrik Mattheus van Bonzel at the MAI headquarters, on May 21, 2012.

During the meeting, minister Ioan Rus stated that the Romania’s Schengen accession represents one of the top priorities of the Government for the coming months, especially considering the fact that our country has made lots of financial investments and efforts for reaching this goal.

At the same time, the Romanian official underlined that The Netherlands’ position to the Romania’s Schengen accession is a mere paradox considering that The Netherlands is the main investor in Romania.

The ambassador of the Netherlands stated that the Report by the European Commission on the Mechanism of Cooperation and Verification expected in July is critical in what regards the decision regarding Romania’s Schengen accession. He also expressed his confidence that the Dutch government would support Romania to achieve this object in the autumn of this year.

In this context, Mr. van Bonzel explained that the effect and the negative impact that migration during the past years has made to the Dutch society, in general, led to a unfavourable reaction on behalf of the general public first, and of the political component afterwards, towards the issue of migration at the European level, and towards the Schengen enlargement and accession processes, including in what regards Romania’s Schengen accession.

As far as the Schengen Governance file is concerned, the Romanian minister underlined that Romania is supporting the immediate passing of it, being highly interested in identifying the best solutions to raising the level of security for the Schengen area and to increasing effectiveness of the Schengen evaluation process.

The two dignitaries reminded the fact that, at operational level, the co-operation with the Dutch party is developing in excellent conditions, and that the Dutch experts participating in the FRONTEX operations in Romania expressed their appreciation for the professionalism proved by the Romanian border police forces.

The ambassador of The Netherlands assured the Romanian minister that he would take all the necessary action for explaining to the Dutch parliament that the Schengen area would be strengthened with Romania in it, as a full Schengen member state.

Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus welcomed the Ambassador of Spain in Bucharest HE Estanislao de Grandes Pascual at the MAI headquarters, on May 17, 2012.

During the meeting, the officials underlined the excellent police co-operation developed between the two countries and pointed out the future priorities in this area, that is organized crime countering and strengthening co-operation relationships between Romanian Gendarmerie and the Spanish Guardia Civil.

HE Estanislao de Grandes Pascual appreciated Romania’s progress in the Schengen accession process, context in which he expressed the firm support of the Spanish government for Romania’s accession to Schengen zone.

At the same time, the Spanish Ambassador congratulated the Romanian authorities for the professional way in which 2012 UEFA Europa League Final was managed by the public order forces in Bucharest, underlining that this event represented an example of police co-operation at the highest EU standards.

Today, May 14, 2012, at the MAI venue, the head of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department Marian Tutilescu met the Saudi Foreign Affairs deputy minister, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Saud Bin Khalid Al Saud who is paying on official visit to Romania these days.

The two dignitaries had an effective opinion exchange on the Romanian-Saudi co-operation in the area of internal affairs, highly appreciating the existing relationships between the two states.

The talks held emphasized the common interest to intensify the information exchange for effectively countering organized crime in general, and drug trafficking and terrorism acts in special.

At the same time, the mutual interest to develop the legal framework in the police co-operation area there was underlined, and a set of priority-actions was agreed for the coming months.

On May 14, 2012, at the MAI venue, Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus had a working meeting with the delegation of the Commission for European Affairs of the French Senate, led by the Commission President Simon Sutour.

This reunion was attended by His Excellency Philippe Gustin, the French Ambassador in Bucharest, by Marion Flavier, adviser, and by Colonel Frédéric Bayard, homeland attaché with the diplomatic mission of the French Republic in Romania.

On MAI behalf the head, of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu also participated.

The main topics which were approached referred to the Schengen Area enlargement, co-operation at the EU external border and social integration of the Roma people.

During the meeting, there were emphasized the excellent co-operation relationships between the two ministries in the area of police co-operation and in the local and central public administration modernization process.

The Minister for Administration and Interior specified that all the co-operation actions and processes started and proved effective would be continued, and new solutions meant to improve inter-ministerial communication at the level of the two states would further be identified.

As regards Romania’s Schengen accession, minister Ioan Rus stated that the Romanian party had already implemented all the projects meant to secure the EU external borders, and that Romania had already met all the technical criteria for the Schengen accession.

In this context, the minister thanked for the support granted by the French experts sent to Romania to work with the Border Police, which led to strengthened co-operation and mutual trust.

At the same time, the meeting discussed the possibility that some joint units consisting in EU border specialists be created, to be functional at the EU outer border crossing points in view of eliminating the potential corruption suspicions on behalf of a EU Member State and allowing improved effectiveness and responsibility in the area.

As far as the Roma people social reintegration is concerned, minister for Administration and Interior stated that the Romanian Government had passed the National Strategy for Social Integration the Roma people for 2012-2020, document including actions to be taken in areas such as education, health, housing and labor market.

Between 13 and 17 of May, 2012, the French delegation is paying an official visit to Romania, upon the invitation of the Romania Senate President, during which various meetings with representatives of the Romanian authorities are scheduled.

At the MAI level, the French delegation will visit the SIS National Centre and the Border Crossing Point Siret.

Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus had today, May 10, at the MAI venue, an official meeting with the delegation of the Subcommittee for Administration and Security within the Finance Committee of the Parliament of Finland.

One of the main topics addressed during the reunion referred to Romania’s Schengen accession, context in which the Finnish party appreciated the progress achieved by our country regarding the border security. He also reiterated that Finland would support the Romania’s Schengen accession process, pointing out that the latest reports on the Mechanism of Co-operation and Verification are expected.

As regards police co-operation, the ministry for Administration and Interior announced that starting June 1, 2012, a Romanian police officer would be sent in Helsinki for three months with the mission to assist and support, from the operational point of view, various joint police activities carried out together with the Finnish authorities.

At the same time, the active role played by the Romanian Police was pointed out, regarding the countering of the criminal phenomenon at both domestic and trans-border levels, for countering trafficking in drugs and human beings, as well as cyber-crimes.

As regards the Roma citizens’ issue, a topic which is of high concern to the Finnish party, the minister for Administration and Interior underlined the importance of the inter-institutional co-operation, as well as of the co-operation between those countries having to properly tackle this problem.

Minister Ioan Rus assured our partners that all the progress achieved so far during the Romanian-Finnish dialogue is irreversible, and expressed his confidence that the co-operation developed by the Romanian ministry with both the counterpart institution and the Finnish diplomatic mission in Bucharest would continue with the same excellent results.

The official appointment of Ioan Rus as Minister for Administration and Interior and of Victor-Paul Dobre as Minster-Delegate for Administration has taken place at the headquarters of MAI, today, May 8, 2012, in the presence of Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

In this context, the former minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca thanked for having been entrusted with such an important mission as a minister, appreciating that during his office he was honored to head this ministry, and wished good luck to all those who are going to lead this institution from now on.

Minister for Administration and Interior Ioan Rus reiterated the main objectives the Ministry of Administration and Interior has to achieve in the period to come.

“We represent a special Government. This is the reason why, in the Governmental Program, as regards Administration and Home Affairs, we introduced ten goals, all of which had been set according to the previously-approved budget, to our six or seven-month office, according to the level of crime rate recorded, the level of citizens’ safety in Romania at the moment, and adjusted to the existing resources we have to improve or specialize our activity; these objectives were also considered according to a very special year 2012, with two elections which we are in charge of organizing, and, last but not least, according to the most important foreign affairs objective of Romania – the Schengen accession”, stated minister Ioan Rus.

At the same time, minister Rus emphasized the importance of the MAI personnel’s qualification, pointing out that it’s about “making a comprehensive effort in the service of citizens”.

In turn, the Minister-Delegate for Administration Victor-Paul Dobre mentioned the correct organization of the local and parliamentary elections as one of the top-priorities in Administration.

Present at this ceremony, Prime Minister Victor Ponta underlined that the main objectives of M.A.I. for the coming period are organizing correct electoral processes and combating organized crime.

At the venue of the Romanian Gendarmerie General Inspectorate, Secretary of State Petre Toba participated on May 2, 2012, in the Solemn Appeal ceremony of the 3rd Romanian Gendarmerie Detachment which is going to be deployed in Afghanistan, where it will carry out training missions for the Afghan public order troops, under the co-ordination of NATO.

Mr Petre Toba thanked the Romanian gendarmes in advance, on behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Administration and Interior, for the mission they are to accomplish there, and underlined the fact that the deployment of a third detachment in the operating theatre in Afghanistan confirmed once more the Romanian gendarmes’ professionalism and excellent training, as well as their reliability, proved by the international partners’ trust in them.

“I remind you that the mission which you are going to be entrusted with is a very important one. You are representatives not only of the Romanian Gendarmerie and the Ministry of Interior, but of Romania as well”, the secretary of state said in the speech he delivered during the ceremony.

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The military detachment, consisting of 76 gendarmes, is going to reach the operating theatre on Friday, May 4, 2012, where they are replacing the 66-gendarme contingent currently carrying out missions in Afghanistan.

The Romanian troops will accomplish training missions at the Afghan National Police and will hold the position of the major state with the Combined Training Advisory Group – Police of the mission. This is a 6-month mission, and the gendarmes will be deployed in three locations: Spin Boldak, Wardak si Costall, where the Afghan Police have training centres.

The main missions of the Romanian gendarmes in Afghanistan will refer to training the police and the police students in view of preventing and deter conflicts, teaching the legislation related to public order missions, and training regarding the weapon use.

The gendarmes deployed in Afghanistan were selected from all the Romanian Gendarmerie units, following some particular tests (test on police matters, the medical check for attesting their physical and mental availability, the foreign language test - in English; their expertise in the public order area was also taken into consideration during the selection process).

The Minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca has had an official meeting with His Excellency Philippe Gustin, the French Ambassador in Bucharest, at the MAI venue.

The talks focused on the excellent co-operation relationships developed between Romania and France in both police and public administration areas.

The minister for Administration and Interior pointed out that it is essential that in the period of time to come the two parties continue the prefects’ training in the area of public administration.

His Excellence Philippe Gustin said that the French party would take the necessary measures so as to unblock the activities included in the Action Plan and meant to help implement the Cooperation Agreement between the Romanian and the French governments in the area of public administration, as the prefects’ training is part of the above-mentioned document.

The French Ambassador emphasised the excellent operational co-operation developed between the units which are responsible for countering the crimes committed by some Romanian nationals within the territory of France, a special role being played by the Romanian police deployed in France.

Minister Gabriel Berca thanked for the support consistently granted by France in Romanian’s Schengen accession process, expressing his confidence that, during September of this year, the right decision would be made in this regard.

This official meeting was also attended by Marion Flavier - adviser, Frédéric Bayard - internal security attaché within the diplomatic mission of France in Romania, and, on behalf of MAI, by Marian Tutilescu - the head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department.

The head of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department within M.A.I., police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu met on April 3, 2012, at the M.A.I. venue, with the deputy director of the Central-European Europe Directorate and the Baltic Sea Region within the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of France Stéphane Crouzat.

This meeting was also attended by His Excellency Philippe Gustin, the Ambassador of France in Bucharest, as well as by the French home security attaché in Romania.

The topics discussed during the reunion referred to police co-operation, the Schengen area enlargement, and to the co-operation at the level of the Romanian external border.

On this occasion, the French party highly appreciated the excellent co-operation developed between the two home ministries, as well as the significant progress made in finding effective solutions to particular operational cases, with the contribution of the Romanian police officers deployed in France.

His Excellency Philippe Gustin underlined the fact that the outcomes of the co-operation developed at the operational level were repeatedly appreciated by the French authorities at the highest level, being regarded as real successful actions.

Thus, in view of enhancing the results of the Romanian-French joint forces carrying out missions in Paris during the summer time, the Romanian party is currently analyzing the possibility of extending the operational mission there, and increasing the number of Romanian police officers deployed in France, the final decision having to be made after the French party sends an official request in this regard.

Another issue approached during the meeting referred to the designation, as soon as possible, of a new Romanian home attaché in France who, alongside with the one in office, to contribute to the common efforts meant to counter crimes.

The Romanian party expressed its gratitude for the experts France had sent at the border departments and for their overall activity, as this ascertained once more the Romanian capacity to ensure the security of the EU outer border.

The strengthening of the Schengen management also represented an important topic on the meeting agenda, the Romanian party expressing its support for improving the governing rules, for raising effectiveness of the evaluation and follow-up process, as well as for the introducing of some supplementary corrective regulations, so that any irregularities in the Schengen area functioning could be avoided.

In what regards the Romania’s and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession process, the France representatives expressed themselves in favor of a positive decision, which is expected in early September 2012.

At the same time, the head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department assured the French officials that Romania is permanently concerned with the migrants’ pressure at the EU external border, our country being already prepared to ensure an proper management of the migration flows which could transit Romania after our Schengen accession, through the strengthening of the capacity for all the units involved in the areas of migration and asylum.

Minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca and the Israeli Public Security minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch signed yesterday, 26 March, 2012, a joint declaration on increasing police co-operation.

According to the document, the action priorities of the two ministries are countering organized crime and combating illegal migration, human trafficking and drugs trafficking. Therefore there was agreed the amending of the Bi-lateral Agreement on co-operation for countering illicit trafficking and consumption of drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as combating other serious crimes, document signed in Jerusalem on July 17, 2001, with a view to updating the document and including some new domains of co-operation in common interest issues.

In this context, minister Berca also had a meeting with the Israeli Foreign Affairs minister Avigdor Lieberman, during which he reiterated the Romanian party’s interest in building a regional network of emergency situation assistance for the countries neighbouring Israel, including Romania. At the same time, the two officials agreed on the necessity to enhance co-operation in the economic area. “Israel is our most important economic partner in the Middle East; we are developing an important co-operation in the defence area, and we have similar opinions in the regional matters of common interest”, stated the Romanian minister.

During the second day of the visit in Israel, minister Berca had a meeting with the representatives of the Jerusalem Police Department, and laid a funeral wreath of flowers at the Holocaust Museum.

The Romanian minister for Administration and Interior was accompanied in his visit by quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu, head of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department.

On 26-28 March 2012, minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca is paying an official visit to Israel, upon the invitation of the Israeli Public Security minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch.

On this occasion, the two officials will discuss on the Romanian-Israeli co-operation in the area of security, with a special focus on crime countering and prevention.

The meeting agenda includes various aspects related to increasing police co-operation and identifying new co-operation domains, such as the emergency situation management area.

In this context, the two officials will sign a Joint declaration on enhancing police co-operation and setting some action directions for the particular subordinate units of both the Romanian Ministry of Administration and Interior and the Israeli Public Security Ministry.

During the official visit in Israel, the minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca will meet Mr. Eliyahu Yishai, the Israeli Vice-Prime Minister and Home Affairs minister, as well as other government representatives.

On March 22, 2012, Minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca welcomed His Excellency Ömür Sölendil, the Turkish Ambassador in Bucharest, at the headquarters of M.A.I.

During the meeting there were emphasised the excellent bi-lateral relationships developed in the context of the Strategic partnership starting December 2011. Both the Turkish diplomat and Minister Gabriel Berca expressed their high interest in finalizing the Action plan subsequent to the above-mentioned document.

Within the extensive framework provided by the common diplomatic relationships in the current economic context, the Home Minister and the Turkish Ambassador discussed on the possibility to loose the visa regime for the business environment.

During the meeting, the two officials agreed on increasing the bi-lateral relationships, as well as on continuing the dialogue on common interest issues.

Minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca had a meeting with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Bucharest

On March 14, 2012, at the headquarters of the M.A.I., Minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca had a meeting with HE Huo Yuzhen, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Bucharest.

During the discussions, minister Berca emphasized the consistency of the co-operation relationships between Romania and the Popular Republic of China, expressing his availability to strengthen it by taking concrete actions. The co-operation developed between the Romanian Gendarmerie and the People’s Armed Police Force of China was highly appreciated in the context.

Ms Huo Yuzhen expressed her determination to make a contribution to increased co-operation between the two countries by enhancing the bi-lateral dialogue and by developing the relationships in more fields of activity. The dialogue addressed the economic relationships existing between Romania and the Chinese People’s Republic, as well as the great interest of Chinese companies in investing in Romania.

Ms Huo Yuzhen was present in a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the Ministry of Administration and Interior, as Her Excellency was appointed Ambassador of the Chinese People’s Republic in Romania at the end of 2011.

The ministers present today in Brussels at the JHA Reunion adopted the draft conclusions of the Council on setting a procedure for strengthening the political governing regarding the Schengen co-operation. Upon Romania’s initiative, the Presidency of the Justice and Home Affairs Council introduced in the above-mentioned document a general specification to the Conclusions of the European Council on 1-2 March, 2012 referring to September as the month when a decision regarding Romania’s and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession would be made.

Referring to the draft conclusions on setting a procedure for strengthening the political governing regarding the Schengen co-operation, the minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca welcomed the Danish Presidency’s initiative to agree, at the ministers' level, a method for analyzing the sensitive problems that the Schengen area is facing. The Romanian official pointed out the transparency of these discussions, able to lead to adequate decisions for solving some situations which could degenerate or threaten the others’ safety.

The ministers adopted the draft conclusions of the Council on the common framework for a real solidarity to all the member states with asylum systems facing important pressure. Minister Gabriel Berca pointed out that the EU response system should mainly have a pro-active character, and contain instruments for identifying the signs of a crisis situation, completed by some operational measures and solidarity.

To this end, he welcomed the fact that the conclusions consider the asylum-related and mixed flows-related issues. The Romanian minister supported the setting of a definite framework for the actions of FRONTEX and the European Asylum Support Office.

The debate on the illegal migration offered the participants the opportunity to exchange ideas in view of enhancing the effectiveness of the activities carried out, as well as a better co-ordination between all the involved actors.

Minister Gabriel Berca stated that during 2011 the tendencies of the illegal migration at the EU outer border recorded significant evolutions. He said that, at national level, Romania had already taken various actions meant to enhance the law enforcement capacity, including the third-country nationals’ accommodation capacity. At international level, Romania aimed at strengthening co-operation with the neighboring third countries for implementing the readmission agreements and for enhancing institutional construction. Regarding these aspects, Romania has already initiated an advanced dialogue with Republic of Moldova, the Romanian official also underlined.

On March 7, 2012, minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca met his Dutch counterpart Gerd Leers in Brussels, in the context of the European Popular Party reunion, which took place before the Justice and Home Affairs Council.

The minister for Immigration and Asylum in the Netherlands congratulated the Romanian official on having recently being appointed as minister for administration and interior, and expressed his openness to discuss on any issue, including the Schengen one.

“This was a very useful meeting, a good opportunity to exchange opinions regarding the specific area of internal affairs and to openly approach the issue of Romania’s Schengen accession. Following the talks with minister Leers, we received positive signals that September would be the right time for a decision on Romania’s Schengen accession to be made. I am also confident that the European Commission’s MCV report, due to be issued during the coming summer, will represent a confirmation of the fact that Romania fully accomplished all its duties, even if this report is not part of the Schengen criteria”, minster Gabriel Berca stated.

The discussions in the framework of the JHA Council Reunion will continue later on today.

Aspects related to migration and the interest areas in which the International Centre for Migration Policies Development (ICMPD) Romania can capitalize on were issues addressed during the official meeting between the head of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department within MAI, quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu, and the General Director of the International Centre for Migration Policies Development, Mr. Peter Widermann, at the headquarters of the MAI, on Monday, February 27, 2012.

The migration issue was discussed from the strategic point of view on its two pillars: the internal and the external one.

The Romanian official pointed out that, considering Romania’s top-priority goal – its Schengen accession, the institution has been paying a special attention to meeting the criteria provided by the European acquis in what regards the EU external border.

At the same time, he underlined that the issue of migration represents a priority for the Romanian authorities, which are highly concerned with the effective management of migration, according to the EU acquis and the global approach of this phenomenon.

The participants also agreed that the specific co-operation methods, in some particular projects, according to Romania’s interests and priorities, would be discussed in a joint session in the period to come.

The head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department, quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu, met on Friday, February 24, 2012, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Administration and Interior, with Mr. Stephen Mayer, deputy, member of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany. The main topic of the meeting was Romania’s Schengen accession process.

Marian Tutilescu pointed out that all the technical requirements for Schengen accession were met by Romania, that the evaluation process was successfully finalized, as well as the fact that the conclusions of the JHA Council on this evaluation were positively assessed by all the member states.

Underlining the progress achieved by Romania in view of Schengen accession and referring to the deadlock caused by The Netherlands’s position, Stephen Mayer made it clear that Germany wants a positive conclusion be reached as soon as possible, reiterating that his country is in favour of Romania’s joining Schengen in two stages.

The German deputy also appreciated the positive content of the Interim Report drafted in February 2012 by the European Commission on the Mechanism for Co-operation and Verification, with the progress achieved by Romania regarding the judiciary reform and fight against corruption, showing that this mechanism has a supporting role in the process.

Quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu pointed out that the Ministry of Administration and Interior shows great concern about preventing and countering corruption, as well as about the tasks provided by the National Anti-corruption Strategy.

In this context, he reminded that important investments had been made for increasing the border security, for modernizing the airports and consulates, usign funds form both the state budget and the EU instruments. The Romanian official also underlined the role of Romania as an active contributor to ensuring the security of the Schengen external borders, within the framework of the FRONTEX missions at the Mediterranean Sea.

The head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department expressed his gratitude for the excellent co-operation developed between the two states, as well as for the technical and political support which Germany constantly granted to Romania.

On February 20, 2012, Secretary of State, head of the Public Order and Safety Department police quaestor Ioan Dascalu met Mr. Jason Bruder and Mr. Anthony Wier - members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs at the headquarters of the Ministry of Administration and Interior.

The discussions focused on topics related to the cooperation between Romania and the United States of America in the area of internal affairs.

At the same time, the meeting agenda included an analysis on the activity of the troops of Gendarmerie participating in the training missions within the framework of international mission NTM-A (NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan), as well as on their supplementation during 2012.

The visit of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs in Romania is part of the set of visits which the official US delegation is paying in the EU countries in view of developing the American-European relationships.

The American delegation also included representatives of the US Embassy in Bucharest.

The head of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department within MAI quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu is participating in the 15th European Congress of Police, taking place in Berlin, on the 14th and the 15th of February, 2012.

This event, focused mainly on the “The Security Network: terrorism”, is attended by high representatives of the European Commission, the European law enforcement agencies, home and justice ministers, as well as by other experts from over 50 states.

During the congress, a special session dedicated to the Schengen enlargement is taking place, occasion on which the Romanian and the Bulgarian officials present the efforts made by the two countries in view of their accession to Schengen.

This session chaired by Mr. Hans-Peter Uhl, member of the German Bundestag and spokesperson on the domestic policies of the parliamentary department (CDU/CSU), who in favour of Romania’s Schengen accession as soon as possible. The German official visited Romania in April 2011, when he could see, on the spot, the way our country ensures the security for the EU outer borders.

The MAI secretary of state, head of the Public Order and Safety Department, police quaestor Ioan Dascalu participated on February 13, 2012, in the reunion on the Review of the activity of the Romanian Immigration Office (ORI) in 2011.

On this occasion, secretary of state Ioan Dascalu pointed out that an important partner of the Romanian Immigration Office was represented by the cooperation with the other institutions involved in the borders management, especially regarding the optimization of the operational data flows, taking into account that the illegal migrants’ routes are permanently adjusting and diversifying nowadays.

At the same time, the head of the Public Order and Safety Department underlined that the securing of the accommodation facilities for the immigrants and cooperation with the other supporting institutions must represent a permanent concern, for preventing any type of negative, disturbing elements.

“We have to pay special attention to obeying the deontological ethics, and equally to obeying all the provisions regulating our activity; from this point of view my message has been and stays the same: Zero tolerance to corruption and to the other deviations from the deontological ethics”, police quaestor Ioan Dascalu also said.

At the end of his speech, the MAI secretary of state highly appreciated the activity police have carried out and the outcomes they obtained in 2011, expressing his entire availability to support every undertaking meant to increase the effectiveness of the ORI activity.

On February 10, 2012, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Administration and Interior (MAI), in the presence of Prime Minster Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, took place the ceremony of the official appointment of the minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca.

On this occasion, the former minister for Administration and Interior Constantin Traian Igas thanked the MAI leadership, the heads of all the units and structures within the ministry, for the activity they had carried out during his mandate.

“There has been a period of time marked by the reorganization of some units, and all these things have been done with professionalism, thanks to you”, Traian Igas said.

“I will continue to stand by this ministry, as all I have done here was in good faith and with all my heart”, the former minister for Administration and Interior also said.

In turn, the minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca stated that he was honoured by the mission he was assigned with, saying: “It is time to prove that the Ministry of Administration and Interior is the quintessence of the Romanian public administration. We have to give trust and stability to each and every employee of this minister, and when the economic conditions allow, we have to succeed in also giving them the finances which can ensure this stability”.

At the same time, Gabriel Berca underlined that one of the top-priorities of his mandate is to rebuild population’s trust in the Ministry of Administration and Interior. “It is important to work as a team; we can be successful only as a team. Though, I will make no compromises. Each of us bears the responsibility for what we do. I am confident that together we will achieve our objectives; this is our commitment”.

Present at the ceremony, PM Mihai Razvan Ungureanu appreciated “the outstanding seriousness, honesty and commitment” that the employees of this ministry have in their hearts and prove in their undertakings, beyond their every day problems”.

Referring to the problems the Romanian society is currently facing because of the adverse weather, the PM also said that he was currently analyzing the reorganization of the centres of quick response in emergency situations under an individual authority.

“I am against the institutional dissipation of the emergency situations response centres, so I consider very seriously their reorganisation under a single coordinating authority. The waste of resources and time is of no use to us.”

At the end of the ceremony, the Romanian PM expressed his thanks to the former minister Traian Igas for the activity he had carried out, wishing the new minister for Administration and Interior Gabriel Berca success in all his future undertakings.

The works of the seminar organized by the Ministry of Administration and Interior, upon the request of the Higher Education Centre of the Home Ministry in France (CHEMI), on topics related to public order and security, were officially opened by minister Traian Igas on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012.

Between January 30th and February 2nd, 2012, at the venue of the Ministry of Administration and Interior, the seminar gathers the students of the annual program of the Higher Education Centre of the Home Ministry of France (CHEMI) 2011-2012, that is commissioners, decision makers within the gendarmerie and the firefighter corps, civilian and territorial administrators in France, a representative of the Algerian gendarmerie, and a Romanian police officer. The event agenda includes issues related to security, public order and administration.

The event was honored by the presence of HE the Ambassador of France in Bucharest Henri Paul, Mr. Jean-Martin Jaspers – the director of the CHEMI, and police quaestor Marian Tutilescu, the head of the European Affairs, International Relationships and Schengen Department within MAI.

On this occasion, minister Traian Igas expressed his confidence that the study visit paid by the representatives of the CHEMI in Romania would let people know more about the activities that the Ministry of Administration and Interior carries out in the areas of administration and public order and safety.

The Ministry of Administration and Interior underlined the excellent results of the operational cooperation with the French partners, appreciated the contribution that the Romanian policemen deployed in France made for reducing the crimes committed by the Romanians in France.

At the same time, minister Traian Igas reiterated the necessity to continue the international cooperation meant to combat criminality, underlining that only by joint efforts can the European citizens’ safety be ensured.

During the reunion, the first to take place under the Danish Presidency of the EU, the home ministers’ talks focused on identifying some solutions to the increased migrants’ pressure at the EU external borders, on the Green Card of the Commission for the family reunification, as well as on various aspects regarding the legislative propositions in the area of fighting terrorism.

In his speech, minister Traian Igas mentioned the development of a common framework for practical solidarity between the member states so as to tackle the migration-related pressure. He underlined the necessity to implement the instruments able to lead to this solidarity, that is increased assistance from FRONTEX, the financing of these instruments through the future JHA funds, the EUROSUR development or the strengthening of the dialogue with the third country partners.

The Romanian minister for interior appreciated the development of the European PNR system meant to counter the terrorist attacks and supported its financing through the future Internal Security Fund.

The head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department within M.A.I., police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu. is also attending the Reunion of the JHA Council in Copenhagen.

The minister for Administration and Interior Constantin Traian Igas is participating, between the 25th and the 27th of January 2012, in the informal Reunion of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council), taking place in Copenhagen.

This reunion, the first to take place under the Danish presidency of the EU, will address issues such as identifying solutions to the handling of the increased migrants’ pressure at the EU external borders, the Green Card of the Commission for the family reunification, as well as various aspects regarding the legislative propositions in the area of fighting terrorism.

At the same time, the ministers present at the reunion will debate on the European legislation in criminal matters.

Minister Traian Igas will have an official meeting with his Danish counterpart, occasion on which he will decide on the steps to be taken in the period to come for achieving the objective of Romania’s accession to the Schengen area.

The Reunion of the JHA Council will also be attended by the head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department within M.A.I., police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu.

On December 13, 2011, in Brussels, at the Justice and Home Affairs Council Reunion - the Home Affairs session, the issue of the Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area was approached. Our country was represented in the working session by the minister for administration and interior Traian Igas.

The Polish presidency presented the present stage of the accession process, as well as the discussions held on this issue at the European Council on the 8th and 9th of December this year.

In this context, the European Council conclusions were reiterated: “all the juridical requirements were met, so that the decision on Romania’s and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession could be made. The JHA Council is called on making this decision as soon as possible”.

Despite this call, the Polish presidency observed that, due to the opposition of a member state, the Draft Decision on Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area could not be adopted.

The Dutch Home Minister specified that he maintained the position he previously expressed, and that only a positive interim MCV report (in February 2012) could bring about a change of this position.

Minister for Administration and Interior Constantin Traian IGAS is participating in the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) Reunion taking place in Brussels, on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

The meeting debates will approach issues such as the European Parliament and Council Draft Regulation on establishing a mechanism for evaluating and monitoring the Schengen acquis application, the amendment of the Regulation (EC) No. 562 establishing a Code of common rules in view of temporary application of the internal border control in Schengen in exceptional situations, various aspects related to the present European Common Asylum System, as well as the European Commission Communication on the Financial Framework 2014-2020.

The ministers present at the meeting will also discuss the stage of the approval of the Draft EC Council Decision on the integrated application of the Schengen acquis provisions in Romania and Bulgaria.

In the context of the council, the Joint Committee will analyze the current stage of the Schengen Information System (SIS II) and of the Draft Regulation (EC) No. 359/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council for establishing the list of the third counties with nationals who must have a visa for crossing the external Schengen borders, and the list with third countries with nationals who are exonerated from this obligation.

Together with the minister for Administration and the Interior, the head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu is also attending the JHA Council Reunion.

The minister for Administration and Interior Constantin Traian Igas welcomed on Monday, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Administration and Interior, the head of the Justice and Police Ministry of the Swiss Confederation, federal counselor Simonetta Sommaruga, who is paying on official visit to Romania on 20-22 November 2011.

During the press conference held at the end of the official visit, minister Traian Igas underlined the excellent cooperation between the two law enforcement agencies, enhanced by the signing of the Bilateral Police Cooperation Agreement in 2007, as well as by the establishing of a permanent home attaché institution in Bern in 2008.

The Romanian minister said that, during the today meeting, it was decided that a Romanian-Swiss working group should be created on preventing and countering human trafficking. This group of specialists will start working in January 2012 and will be coordinated, on the Romanian party’s behalf, by police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu - the head of the European Affairs, International Relations and Schengen Department within MAI, and on the Swiss party’s behalf, by the Ambassador of Switzerland in Bucharest.

“I am confident that the results of this joint effort in view of countering trafficking in human beings will come very soon”, said Traian Igas. At the same time, the minister thanked Switzerland for the moral support it provided to Romania during its Schengen accession process, expressing his confidence that “this visit would highly contribute to the development of the relationships existing between the two states in the police area”.

In turn, the federal counselor Simonetta Sommaruga highly appreciated the bilateral cooperation in the area of countering organized crime, and especially in the area of fighting trafficking in human beings, mostly in women and minors.

The Swiss official reiterated her support for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area in two stages: “Although Switzerland does not have the right to vote, we support Romania’s Schengen accession”.

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During her visit in Romania, the federal counselor Simonetta Sommaruga will also visit the Regional Centre SELEC, as well as the Centre for the Human Trafficking Victims’ Assistance and Protection in Giurgiu, where she is going to have talks with representatives of the Centre, of the National Agency for Fighting Human Trafficking, and of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate.

The minister for Administration and Interior Constantin Traian Igas is participating, on November 15-17, 2011, in the Ministerial Conference of the Salzburg Forum, taking place in Pravets/ Bulgaria, event which is organized by the Bulgarian Presidency of the Forum.

The topics addressed during the Conference will refer to current issues on the EU agenda, as well as to practical aspects relating to police cooperation, from the operational point of view, included in the debates of the working groups organized within Forum.

The topics which will be discussed by the ministers include the future of the Schengen area and the border management, the role of the statistics in evaluating the corruption level, cyber crime and security, the Salzburg Forum member states’ participation in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, trans-border application of the fees for the traffic-related crimes, as well as enhancing the cooperation between Salzburg Forum member states and the Friends of the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova. In the second part of the Conference the states which are part of the Friends of the Salzburg Forum from the Western Balkans, Croatia and the Republic of Moldova will also participate.

During the Ministerial Conference, the minister for Administration and Interior, alongside with the heads of the delegations from the member states of the Salzburg Forum will sign the Memorandum on the Agreement between the ministers of the Salzburg Forum and Croatia on enhancing cooperation in the road safety area and facilitating the trans-border information exchange on the traffic-related infringements affecting the road safety.

Minister Igas will also have bilateral meetings with the Bulgarian home minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic.

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On November 17, 2011, also in Pravets, the 6th Reunion of the Ministers’ Committee will take place, under the coordination of the Southeast Europe Police Cooperation Convention.

In this context, minister Traian Igas will present the priorities set considering the future Romanian Presidency of the Committee of the Ministers from the member states of the Southeast Europe Police Cooperation Convention, in the 4th semester of 2012.

Some of these priorities refer to developing the trans-border surveillance exercises and the trans-border pursuing exercises, continuing the evaluation of the national legislation in the areas provided by the Convention, evaluating the way that the Convention provisions interrelate with other similar regional mechanisms, for eliminating the potential overlapping and for setting a single action plan, as well as continuing the development, in the agreed conditions, of the evaluation visits in the area of personal data protection.

The working agenda will also include the issue related to the joint contact centres.

The head of the European Affairs and International Relations Department police quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu is also participating, together with minister Traian Igas, in the Salzburg Forum Ministerial Conference and in the Ministers’ Committee Reunion under the coordination of the Southeast Europe Police Cooperation Convention, both taking place in Pravets/ Bulgaria.

The head of the European Affairs and International Relations Department within the Ministry of Administration and Interior quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu had today, November 15, 2011, a meeting with a German delegation of the Federal Home Ministry, present in Romania in an official visit between 14 and 17 November, upon the invitation of the Internal Audit General Directorate within MAI.

On this occasion, quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu presented before the German guests the organization of the ministry, as well as the measures taken by the MAI units in view of Romania’s Schengen accession, expressing his gratitude to the EU specialists, but especially to the German ones, for the support provided during the accession process.

At the same time, the head of the European Affairs and International Relations Department pointed out that the European Commission audit at MAI regarding the management of the EU funds granted to Romania through the Schengen Facility, which took place in September, evaluated that the funds were lawfully used.

“Now a decision on Romania’s Schengen accession, which is mainly a political issue, has to be taken. From the technical point of view, the Ministry of Administration and Interior did its homework”, stated quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu.

In the same context, the general director of the Internal Audit General Directorate (DGAI) within MAI quaestor Ion Cuhutencu presented the DGAI structure, as well as various aspects on the audit of the EU funds management. At the same time, he expressed his confidence that the German specialists’ visit in Romania, which follows the DGAI representatives’ visit in Berlin, would be a beneficial expertise exchange between the specialty structures of the two ministries and that it would make a significant contribution to the application of the good practices in the relevant area.

Within the framework of the UN Mission in Haiti-MINUSTAH, 24 Romanian policemen are carrying out, alongside with the Haitian local authorities, missions for maintaining public order and for preventing crimes.

The Ministry of Administration and Interior is participating with 258 troops in international missions of peacekeeping, cooperation and conflict prevention, under the coordination of UN, EU and OSCE in Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Moldova/ Ukraine, Congo, Timor and Haiti.

In the UN mission in Haiti-MINUSTAH, 24 Romanian policemen are currently carrying out activities for crime prevention and countering, as well as training activities for the National Police in Haiti. For the vast majority of the 24 Romanian police officers, this is their second mission under the UN coordination.

The Romanian policemen actively take action with the local authorities for restoring public order and safety in the area, for crime prevention and countering, for minors’ protection, and they also carry out special operations. One of their most important missions aims at implementing development and training programs at the level of the Haitian National Police.

For their professionalism proved during the joint missions, the Romanian policemen are highly appreciated not only by the local authorities, but also by the citizens.

In addition to the usual police activities, the MAI officers are also involved, alongside with the representatives of the international mission, in various humanitarian measures meant to help the local people in need.

MAI has been participating with troops in the Haiti mission since 2004, when four policemen were sent for police operations. Subsequently, based on the related legal provisions, on the good cooperation developed with the Haitian authorities, but especially on the Romanian policemen’ results, the contingent was enlarged, so as now there are 24 Romanian officers carrying out specific police missions in Haiti.

The police officers who are going to participate in this mission are very carefully selected, based on the criteria set by the coordinating international organisation: special qualification, good results obtained in his/her previous police activity, as well as certain personal skills (ability to work under pressure, in stressful environment, good physical condition, emotional balance etc.).

On Friday, November 4, 2011, the head of the International Relations, European Affairs and Schengen Department quaestor-in-chief Marian Tutilescu is participating in the Second Ministerial Conference on Building Migration Partnership, taking place in Poznan/ Poland.

On this occasion, the head of the International Relations, European Affairs and Schengen Department will preside the session on “Legal migrants’ integration in the host countries” included in the Action Plan for 2012-2016 aiming at improving cooperation in the area of migration.

The second ministerial conference gathers ministers and representatives in charge of migration-related issues from approximately 50 countries in Europe and Asia, as well as representatives of the international organizations (ICMPD, OIM, MARRI and UNHCR) who will approve the Action Plan, in view of implementing the objectives provided by the Ministerial Declaration in Prague, signed in 2009. Our country is highly involved in developing international cooperation in this field, participating in the related activities as a coordinating state, beside other four EU Member States: Czech, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.