Reluctance, maybe openness
On the other hand the Romanian Roma camps set in Europe have raised nervousness in France, Ireland, Finland, Denmark and Germany. The 1st January 2014 brought the liberalization the labour market for Romanians and Bulgarians which is annoying for most EU countries. Romania’s campaigns for dialogue with European countries have not changed much of the foreign perception about Romanians because the issue reached the level of the citizen. The most vehement campaign against labour market liberalization is carried by Britain. As Romanians gypsies (Roma ethnics) are topping the news when it comes to taking advantage of UK’s social benefits, it’s hard to anticipate a change in Ukip’s approach or the Conservatives’ one. After the elections at the end of 2013, Germany played down criticism against Romania, but not much changed for the better, economic relations are of top priority for Berlin. When it comes to politics, the Germans are much more reluctant.
The recent presidential elections in Romania may change (or may not) the Berlin’s approach towards Bucharest.
It’s hard to say for the moment exactly how much can Klaus Iohannis do for improving Romanian-German relations, affected in 2012 by the political crisis generated by the suspension of former president Traian Basescu.
Immediately after Klaus Iohannis won the presidential elections, on November 18, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated the president-elect in an official letter. “Dear Mr. Iohannis, I congratulate you with all my heart for being elected as Romania’s president,” the letter read. “The relationship between our countries is very good. The end of the Cold War we are to celebrate this year (2014 – my note) had opened a new chapter for our bilateral relations and allows us to become even closer partners. We will support Romania with guidance and deeds on the path to important reforms for your country and for the European Union and we will be a constant reliable partner. I wish you success in accomplishing your new responsibilities,” the letter concluded.
However, there are issues that shadow the bilateral German-Romanian relations. Corruption in Romania is seen by Berlin as high. Germany was reluctant to the EU labour market liberalization from January 1, 2014, along with countries like Britain, France, the Netherlands, Finland, etc. An influx of Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants (especially the one of roma ethnics – although this fact is not admitted by anyone) was seen as the highest risk destabilizing the social insurance systems for the above mentioned countries. Although EU high ranking officials admit Bucharest had fulfilled all technical criteria to join the Schengen area (technical endowment and infrastructure development on the north-eastern and eastern border), there are fears coming from some EU countries that these measures would not be enough. The level of corruption is enhancing the fears.
Last but not least, the situation in Ukraine is adding to the tensions in Europe. Germany is playing – some say – at both ends in its relationship with Russia. After all, the negotiations in Minsk to reach peace (an agreement many considered as a failure) were run on behalf of the EU by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and by the French President Francois Hollande. As the two high officials have had no official mandate to carry on negotiations with the Russian President Vladimir Putin (by the way, on whose behalf did Putin negotiate?) the confusion was enhanced by the absence of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini – whose presence, even formal, would have given the appearance of EU’s normality. The Romanian President’s visit to Berlin is not expected to clear up this issue to the public. But it would be good for the bilateral relations as well as for Europe’s future that such issues get clearer and prepare the next step for of approaching the Ukrainian crisis. After all, President Iohannis will visit Kiev soon enough, in March.