The official launch in Bucharest of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, ceremonies scheduled

Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă has announced that on Thursday and Friday the presidents of the European Commission, of the European Council and of the European Parliament will arrive in Bucharest for the official launch of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union. The events will take place at the Romanian Athenaeum and at Victoria Palace.

“Today we have the first Government sitting this year and the first in the Executive’s new capacity as Coordinator of the entire process of exercising the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is an honor and a responsibility for Romania, but also for our government team. (…) Tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday we will welcome the visit of the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Parliament, the members of the College of European Commissioners and together we will mark the official launch in Bucharest of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by Romania, in two symbolic buildings for our country, I refer to the Romanian Athenaeum and the Victoria Palace,” Viorica Dăncilă said on Wednesday at the beginning of the Government sitting.

EC President Jean-Claude Juncker will pay a visit to Bucharest during January 10-11. The European official will meet President Klaus Iohannis, PM Viorica Dăncilă, but also Parliament Speakers Călin Popescu Tăriceanu and Liviu Dragnea.

Thus, the President of the European Commission will attend an opening concert starting at 20.00h, according to a release from the EC Representation in Romania.

The EC Chief will deliver a speech on this occasion on Thursday. Speeches will also be held by Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă, by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and European Council President Donald Tusk.

The President of the European Commission will have bilateral meetings with the head of state on Friday, and later with Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă. The two meetings will be followed by press conferences.

Thus, at 10.30h, Jean-Claude Juncker will hold a press conference with President Klaus Iohannis at Cotroceni Palace, and at 12.30h he will have a press conference at Victoria Palace with Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă.

The agenda of the European official’s visit also includes talks with the Speakers of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, Liviu Dragnea and Călin Popescu Tăriceanu.

On Friday, January 11, the College of Commissioners will meet President Iohannis and Prime Minister Dancila to discuss the priorities of the Romanian Presidency.

Restricted traffic in Bucharest

Traffic will be restricted in Bucharest on Thursday from 15:00hr to 23:00hr due to the official start of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council due at the the Romanian Athenaeum and at the Royal Palace.

Traffic will be restricted on the following streets: Benjamin Franklin St. – Constantin Esarcu St.- Nicolae Golescu St., traffic police informs.

Traffic and passenger traffic will be also restricted on Episcopiei St. during 19.30hr – 20.00hr, on Calea Victoriei, during 21.30 hr– 21.45hr.

The error in the invitations sent by PM Dancila for the Athenaeum concert

Liberal senator Alina Gorghiu has revealed that there is an error in the invitation she had received from PM Viorica Dancila for the concert at the Romanian Athenaeum on Thursday evening, as she was asked to confirm her participation by January 8, 2018, instead of 2019.

“Do <the pros> in the Dancila Cabinet know not even the year when Romania is taking over the rotating presidency? A thing is clear: according to them, I missed to confirm my presence to the concert by a year. Moreover, for an event of such scale, I find it extremely disrespectful to receive the invitation barely a day before,” Gorghiu posted on Facebook.