The vote in the European Parliament plenary on 18 October says it all: The EU wants Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen area!

The European Parliament has adopted a Resolution on the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. It is the sixth resolution on the subject, calling for the rapid entry of the two countries into Schengen. It seems absurd to the majority in the EP that this subject is still under discussion. Indeed, it is absurd, given that already in 2011 the EU Council concluded that the necessary conditions had been met. The following areas were covered: data protection, air borders, land borders, police cooperation, the Schengen Information System, maritime borders and visas. These are exactly the issues that are also mentioned in the resolution that we have just adopted.

In fact, our country has been ready since 2007, when Romania became a member of the EU. Romania has been obliged to respect the Schengen rules since then. Therefore, Romania de facto fulfils the Schengen obligations, but does not enjoy the Schengen benefits. These two elements should go hand in hand.

Why is Romania not yet a full Schengen member?

The logical question arises: if the legal and technical requirements of Schengen have been met, why is Romania not yet a full Schengen member? The answer lies in national political interests. Strangely, Schengen membership is more politicised abroad, in other member states, than inside Romania. All Romanian political forces are behind the goal of accession – a rare case of unity in our political landscape.

The issue is politicised outside Romania, mainly for internal electoral reasons. Schengen membership is presented as a privilege that other member states may or may not grant. When in fact, this membership is a right based-law and a prerequisite for a functioning EU internal market. And the victims are multiple. Truck drivers lose dozens of hours because of long border crossings. Businesses lose profits because of delays. Citizens are stranded – and rightly, feel humiliated – in passport control queues. Mobile workers suffer delays, people discriminated against at the border…. The personal and economic cost of non-compliance with the Schengen regime is high! Our environment also suffers from increased emissions from lorries at borders.

This obviously frustrates Romanian citizens. And the same is entirely true for the Bulgarians.

11 years of injustice

Citizens are well aware that the issue of Schengen accession is being instrumentalised for opportunistic reasons. They know that this deadlock is artificial and they can’t bare it much longer. For the sake of Romania and for the sake of the EU as a community of values, I sincerely hope that all members of the EU Council will put aside their selfish political interests. I hope that on 8 December, during the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting, the EU Council will vote “YES” for Romania in Schengen.

If our membership is delayed again, I would not be surprised to see Romanians and Bulgarians protesting in the streets. They will boycott the goods of those who oppose accession. Our citizens are tired of waiting, and their angry reactions are justified. They are truly deprived of free movement in the Schengen area. Although, all the conditions are met and all the institutions have repeatedly agreed on this since 2011. 11 years is a long time to wait peacefully for something that is rightfully yours, don’t you agree?

All European institutions want Romania in Schengen

Also note that the European Parliament is not the only one fighting this battle. The Commission has also called for the long-awaited Schengen accession. Today, the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, has to be quite clear with the Council on the protection of citizens’ rights and their freedom of movement. The Commission should therefore inform the Council of the political and legal consequences of a further delay in the adoption of the Schengen decision by the Council. No Member State should have the right to arbitrarily block one or more Member States from the Schengen area. There is only one European Union and all Member States are equal – in 2022 and with a war at our borders, it is dangerous and worrying to witness any other behaviour.

Romania and Bulgaria are part of Schengen. We all have a window of opportunity between this plenary vote in October and the Council meeting in December. This should be a moment of responsibility for all Member States. It affects the future functioning of the EU single market. We are all going through a difficult time – European citizens are juggling multiple difficulties. In this context, Schengen enlargement is essential to ensure the smooth functioning of the EU single market – our key tool to overcome the economic crisis.

Obviously, Romania must also play its part. It should move full speed towards Schengen accession and use every opportunity to ensure unanimity in the Council. If this goal is not achieved in December, Romanians should reassess their voting position in the Council accordingly.

Read the entire article here.

Articolul EU green light for Romania and Bulgaria in Schengen apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

What would you do if you broke your leg? Well, it depends. MEP Gheorghe could not allow himself to miss the most important week in the European Parliament: the plenary and. Even more so in these troubled times, when the near future of the EU will be pointed out in the annual State of the Union speech. 

The State of the Union (SOTEU)– What’s next on the EU agenda?

This is an essential EU event taking place on an annual basis in September, where the institutions set future goals, discuss challenges and lay out the next year’s strategy. This is the time for the Members of the European Parliament to understand the Commission’s agenda, debate and suggest improvements.

This is not just a formality. This is how democracy is ensured. The Commission presents its strategy. The democratically elected members of the EU then can rightfully represent their electorate’s priorities and have a direct impact on the future proposals of the Commission.

Why is this important? Well, depending on the agreed agenda, member states and all citizens will know where the EU funding will go. So which are the main directions for the Union for the next year? Let’s look at the key points made by the Commission.   

Internal affairs:

• Democracy, rule of law & human rights at the core of the decision-making. The EU will no longer tolerate corruption and a dysfunctional judicial system in its member states. Members, such as Hungary, who do not comply with EU values, will not receive funds.
• Environment & Energy – The EU must continue delivering the goals of the European Green Deal. Especially now, facing the Russian aggressive energy war towards the Union, the EU must gain its energy independence, reform the energy market & focus on renewables
• Climate change crisis – This summer has surprised the EU with incredibly high temperatures, severe wildfires and droughts. The EU must be better prepared for emergency situations
• Economic governance – EU market needs to be safer, bigger and more stable. The European Commission acknowledges the record breaking inflation and will continue to protect EU’s worth

External affairs:

• Accelerate accession of Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia & more support for the opposition in Belarus
• Stand with Ukraine
• Dismantle Putin’s disinformation and interference in the democratic process

Meetings & Activity 

Tuesday, 13 September – Meeting with Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius

MEP Vlad Gheorghe received another green light on his initiative the EU Green Prosecutor, a key tool to fight against environmental crimes

Wednesday, 14 September – Breakfast meeting with Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton 

Together with his colleagues from Renew Group, Vlad Gheorghe had a meeting with Commissioner Breton in order to discuss his newest proposal, the Single Market Emergency Instrument. This will ensure the well functioning of the EU market during times of uncertainty and crisis, such it was the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday, 15 September – Meeting with Aluziva (Alina Greavu), founder of NGO Asociatia Aluziva fighting for social cases

Aluziva is a well-known Romanian influencer. She is also one of the public persona who joined since the first days of war the community UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – United for Ukraine, group founded by Renew MEP Vlad Gheorghe (cca 300.000 members). Aluziva together with her friends and her NGO partners, have helped  thousands of refugees. Together, they sent a strong message of thanks for all the Romanians helping Ukrainian refugees. They also talked about important issues Aluziva is advocating for in Romania and how EU institutions might support her social causes. 

Environment & Rule of Law

Two important victories in this plenary session.

1.  All anti-deforestation files passed! 
2. Viktor Orban’s Hungary is no longer considered a democracy. 

Why is this good news for us, citizens of the EU?

‘’Deforestation is one of the most damaging practices for our planet! We need to fight for a green future, it is our duty as politicians to protect the environment and stop the current climate crisis.’’ says Vlad Gheorghe. 

‘’Citizens need and they support the rule of law. That is the only way towards individual freedom and economic prosperity. Orban’s government has systematically violated human rights and undermined democracy for Hungarians. It was high time we write black on white that the Orban regime is on the wrong track, attacking its own citizens’ freedoms, fraternizing with Putin and putting at risk the best interest of the country.’’ stressed the Renew MEP.

Articolul Strasbourg is calling – Plenary Week apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

Brasov, 07 September, FOV – Forumul Oraselor Verzi – The Green Cities Forum

Due to the professionalism of air carriers (well-known to all of us), after 8 hours of intermodal traveling, Mr Gheorghe made it to Brasov train station. 

The Romanian MEP was one of the speakers of the biggest environmental event in Romania, FOV – Forumul Oraselor Verzi – The Green Cities Forum. Alongside national and international activists, political figures, White House advisors & academics, he took the opportunity to advocate for his project: EU Green Prosecutor, one of the most essential tools to combat envi crimes. Having worked as jourist for 10 + years in large infrastructure settings, he understands well the direct link between corruption, environmental crimes and climate change. 

To this day, there is no effective solution to cross-border environmental crimes. Europol points out that the losses of such offenses are worth between 70-213 billion USD per year. That’s why, MEP Gheorghe points out that:

“ [There is an] acute need for a mechanism that includes an extended mandate at EPPO, as well as enhanced environmental competencies for Europol, Eurojust and CEPOL “.

The Hague, 08 September – European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

MEP Gheorghe left Brussels to join a mission to Eurojust in the Hague (Netherlands) alongside his colleagues from the European Parliament: Manders Antonius Santos Isabel,  Toussaint Marie,  Pietikäinen Sirpa, Wiezik Michal, Roose Caroline. The visit was entirely organized by MEP Vlad Gheorghe and his team. 

Eurojust is the EU agency in charge of judicial cooperation in all criminal matters, including the ones concerning the environment. The presentation was informative and insightful. However, all actors involved agreed that there is a need to do more. Therefore, Mr Gheorghe discussed his proposal of creating an EU Green Prosecutor in order to facilitate Eurojust’s task to fight cross-borders illegal activities. 

”Illegal forest cutting, illegal waste, air, water and soil pollution cost us enormously. Climate change is not only affecting our health. It is also increasing poverty, causing world hunger and endangering human life.”’, states Vlad Gheorghe.

Brussels, 08 September  – Improving micro mobility in Romania

Together with Mayor of Bacau, Lucian Viziteu and Vice-Mayor of Brașov, Flavia Boghiu, MEP Vlad Gheorghe met with experts on micro mobility.  Main priority: attract investment in infrastructure & interlink public transport & micro mobility in Romania.

MEP Gheorghe is always supporting Romanian local authorities in finding practical solutions for green transportation. In the end, this is important as it will improve  the quality of life for Romanian citizens. Among other similar initiatives, he tries to find ways to move the green needle in as many communities as possible.

Lille, 09 September –  Decathlon factory, Municipality & Metropole of Lille 

USR is the only Romanian political party committed to environment protection. Green transportation has to be practical & motivating. Thus, enjoying the moody French weather and the heavy rain,  Mr Gheorghe, Mr Viziteu and Ms Boghiu went to Lille, to meet private and public stakeholders in order to exchange views on the best practices. 

During their visit in the Decathlon factory, they tried out the newest e-bikes. Don’t think it was all fun & games! The 3 politicians also discussed the future of green mobility and methods to encourage citizens to turn towards a more sustainable future. 

Immediately after, the USR team met with Pierre Posmyk, Deputy for Biodiversity and Active Mobility and Sébastien Lepêtre, Vice President in charge of Mobility and Public Transport and Mayor of La Madeleine, part of the Lille Metropole. They talked about solutions for sustainable transport & debated on methods to foster micro mobility in towns.

Articolul Sneak peak – Week of an MEP #EnviJustice apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

With 317 votes in favour, 248 against and 20 abstentions, MEPs today adopted the toughest text in years on illegal logging. The amendment tabled by USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe setting a European Green Prosecutor also received a majority of votes. This is a first in the EU.

The resolution voted in the European Parliament “underlines that the establishment of an EU Green Prosecutor, by extending the mandate of the EPPO (…) is a way to improve implementation and enforcement of EU environmental legislation and to combat serious environmental crime with a cross-border dimension”.

“The name Green Prosecutor appears for the first time in an official document voted in Parliament’s plenary. This is a confirmation of the need for such an institution both in the EU and in Romania”, points out the author of the amendment, USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe.

MEPs agreed that “illegal logging is a very worrying activity, causing environmental damage, loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems, desertification and soil erosion, leading to natural disasters such as landslides, and has resulted in the destruction or damage of several Natura 2000 sites and virgin and secular forests”. The resolution explicitly cites that illegal logging products are sold in the EU as certified timber and “all major certification schemes have difficulties in effectively identifying and managing corruption issues, the systems in place for identifying corruption are relatively limited and insufficiently cover the risk of fraud”.

Corruption and fraud as drivers of illegal logging

Furthermore, the text adopted by Brussels today cites corruption and fraud as “the main drivers of illegal logging, leading to weak law enforcement and impunity which also increases various criminal activities such as conflict financing and money laundering”. At the same time, MEPs “call on the criminal investigation bodies and competent authorities of the Member States to investigate and fully enforce the law in all cases of illegal logging and the transport, storage, distribution and sale of illegal timber”.

USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe was involved in drafting the final version of the resolution. He is further explaining the reasons behind his action:

It is common knowledge in Romania that for years we have been losing 3 hectares of forest/hour. However, reports made by authorities tell us that Romania’s forest area is actually increasing. We are not alone in this situation. The difference is that we are among the few Member States that still have old, primary forests. Other countries have bigger problems with poaching and illegal trade in protected species, others with illegal waste. We need to stop and punish offenders. This is a common denominator.”

Other provisions of the resolution

The resolution also requires all Member States to ensure that timber tracking systems are fully operational and that sanctions in the forest sector are proportionate and dissuasive so as to effectively deter illegal logging. Parliament is deeply concerned that sanctions are currently not proportionate to the value of timber products, that operators sometimes receive only warnings or very mild administrative sanctions and wants the authorities to provide means to improve forestry activities, to increase the number of law enforcement officers where necessary to effectively prosecute and prosecute cases of illegal logging, based on evidence collected by the police or referred to the police by third parties.

“It is interesting to see how the MEPs of the PSD-PNL-UDMR governing coalition voted and what measures they will take to remedy the issues highlighted by the European Parliament, especially as there is nothing new in the text, these are issues that non-governmental organisations, environmental activists, citizens in the country and in the diaspora have been pointing out for years”, Vlad Gheorghe believes.

The text adopted by MEPs also mentions attacks on forestry officials, foresters, law enforcement officers, environmental activists and investigative journalists, including deadly attacks, stating that they are committed either by individuals or by well-organised and well-equipped gangs involved in illegal logging, who increasingly resort to violence and frequent intimidation.

Many similar cases are also known in Romania. Activists Daniel Bodnar, Tiberiu Bosutar and representatives of the independent press have repeatedly been the targets of such attacks.

The European Green Prosecutor

The resolution stresses that a fact-finding mission to areas affected by illegal logging would be helpful to assess the reality on the ground – also a proposal by USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe, a member of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. The Renew Europe group has supported Vlad Gheorghe’s idea – the European Green Prosecutor – to exclusively investigate environmental crimes, since 2021.

“In fact, it is about extending a model that already exists and works – the European Public Prosecutor’s Office led by Laura Codruța Kövesi”, says the Romanian MEP, one of the most active in the EP in terms of saving forests, species and protected areas in Romania.

Since the beginning of his mandate in November 2020, Gheorghe has submitted more than 150 interpellations of environmental authorities. He has also filed a number of criminal complaints. Suspected corruption or other violations of national and European legislation in the field have been alleged. Vlad Gheorghe is one of the authors of the draft law ”DNA-ul Pădurilor”, a project to fight environmental crimes. Unfortunately, this was declared unconstitutional by the Romanian Constitutional Court led by Valer Dorneanu.

Read the full press release.

Articolul Romanian victory in the European Parliament for the European Green Prosecutor apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

Easter is coming

Romanian members of the largest support group for Ukrainians in Romania, UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – United for Ukraine, these days “adopt” families for whom they cook or buy Easter meals.

“I gladly offer to prepare a traditional Romanian Easter meal for a refugee family in Bucharest. Space doesn’t allow me to bring them to my place, but I take them the day before everything they need to their place of residence”, writes one of the group’s nearly 280,000 members, who has also “adopted” not one but two cases: 3 mums with 4 children and a pregnant mum with her aunt and two children.

“I offer Easter meal with traditional products for a family in the second sector, delivery the Saturday before Easter”, writes another member, who is also a volunteer in the North Station and has made a list of Ukrainian families in need of help.

Other members have placed orders for pastries and cakes or traditional Ukrainian products from refugees who are able to cook.

“We, two mothers and three children from Ukraine, are now forced to live in Bucharest. We were welcomed by kind people and we are very grateful to all the Romanians we met on the way. We make Ukrainian dumplings (vareniki), gingerbread for children, made with honey and a lot of love, Pasca, cozonaci”, is the message posted on the group that generated more orders from Romanians than the Ukrainian moms could honor.

United for Ukraine Fund

Also in support of the Ukrainians left behind in Romania, the UNITED FOR UKRAINE Fund was launched by the group of the same name. Firstly, the Fund collects donations from Romanians that will provide Ukrainians with what they need for the festive season. After Easter, what is left will be used for the families fleeing the war (food, medicines, hygiene products, clothes).

“For each of us the holidays are a reason for joy, we gather at the table with relatives, friends. Think that Ukrainians are now in a foreign country. They left with only a suitcase far from home, their families are divided in half. They have fathers, husbands, brothers on the battlefront, and the news from home is shattering. We have a duty to help them as much as we can to feel a little joy, to have a bit of normality on holidays”, explains Vlad Gheorghe, initiator of the group UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – United for Ukraine.

The money raised by the United for Ukraine Fund will go to NGOs supporting Ukrainian citizens in Romania. In addition, it will help families in Ukraine who ask for help in groups or in refugee centres. The remaining funds will be directed towards Ukrainians living in Moldova and across the border in Ukraine. Among the partner NGOs are Asociația pentru Relații Comunitare, Asociația ZI de BINE, Asociația Blondie, Asociația Copacul cu Fapte Bune, Big Hearts Society, Asociația Pentru Bine, Asociatia Maria Holtzhauser, Asociatia Sanatate pentru Comunitate etc. To donate one can do so via accounts opened by the Association for Community Relations, mentioning UNITED FOR UKRAINE Fund.

Background

On the group UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – United for Ukraine created on 12 February by USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe from the Renew Europe group tens of thousands of Ukrainians have found accommodation, transport, job offers, donations of food, clothes, other products strictly necessary for those who leave behind their homes and life savings. Daily, hundreds of requests for help from Ukrainians are answered almost instantly on the group, which has about 280.000 members.

Read the full press release

Save and share account numbers

Articolul Romanians “adopt” Ukrainian families for Easter apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

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Hell on earth – Romanians going to Kyiv, Bucha, Irpin

Romanians have been able to see footage from the Ukrainian war zones. These were filmed by USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe and USR MEPs Diana Stoica and Filip Havârneanu. The three Romanian dignitaries were part of the official delegation that went to Ukraine. Other important political figures were part of the mission. Some of them are the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell and Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger.

They are the first Romanian officials to arrive in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion on 24 February. Their testimonies from the bomb-hit cities are a veritable war diary.

“To participate to this mission, we had to follow strict rules to protect ourselves and those who accompanied us. We travelled in a night train with the lights off and were not allowed to communicate in real time. We could only discuss about our visit after we had completed it. Telephones were switched off and we had a military escort with us throughout our trip. We were all given protective equipment – helmets and bulletproof vests which together weighed over 25 kg. We only wore them for one day. Imagine what it’s like for the men and women fighting who wear them non-stop on the frontline”, says Vlad Gheorghe.

First stop: Kyiv

The delegation of 35 national and EU parliamentarians from 11 countries had a strict schedule. Their first stop was in Kiev, at the Verkhovna Rada – the Ukrainian legislature. There they were received by Ukrainian officials led by the Speaker of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk and the former Deputy Prime Minister, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

“We have passed through numerous checkpoints. Despite heroically resisting Russian attacks, Kyiv is still a city ready for siege. The streets are almost deserted, there are checkpoints and barricades everywhere. The Parliament building is also barricaded. Its windows covered, and the military forces deployed show you beyond doubt that you are in a war zone, as you can see from the few photos we were allowed to take”, says the USR MEP.

Military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, support for EU integration, sanctions on Russia and punishment of war criminals

The European delegation signed the memorandum of support “Declaration of Unity for European Ukraine” in Kyiv. This was done together with their Ukrainian counterparts on behalf of the entire network of United 4 Ukraine parliamentarians. The signed document briefly reiterates European commitments, including those contained in the latest European Parliament resolution. More precisely, it concerns military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, support for EU integration, sanctions on Russia and punishment of war criminals.

“Last but not least, the act provides for aid for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This is a point I made in my proposal to create a European Fund that would include the frozen assets of oligarchs. This is a Marshall Plan for Ukraine, funded primarily by the culprit, namely Russia. My proposal was voted by the EP plenary in the resolution on Ukraine. I am glad it is also part of this memorandum”, explains Vlad Gheorghe. The Romanian MEP together with his colleagues in the Renew Europe group called for the most drastic sanctions on Russia and Vladimir Putin: a total embargo on oil, coal, nuclear fuel and gas imports.

Crimes against humanity: Bucha & Irpin

The most painful part of the trip to Ukraine was undoubtedly the visit to Bucha and Irpin. Witnessing the scenes of massacres committed by Russian troops was unbearable. The destruction is horrific: the villages have been almost teared to the ground. The landscape is apocalyptic.

“The smell is one of burning and everything around you gives you the shivers. There are rubbles under which you know the bodies of bombed-out families still lie in their own homes. You could see the charred carcasses of vehicles in which you know people trying to save themselves were killed. Human remains were scattered everywhere and attesting to the massacres. The silence is deathly! The areas are deserted, the infrastructure destroyed. The survivors have effectively nothing to return to in these localities. Ukrainian authorities and rescue teams are still recovering bodies from mass graves. We saw with our own eyes one such grave with 18 bodies, all civilians”, says the USR MEP who has photo-video documented the aftermath of the Russian attacks in Bucha and Irpin.

“You see bloody toys on the rubble and all you can think about is that those children who were playing with them are gone. You see houses in ruins with the remains of furniture, clothes, everything a family like yours has, but the family in that house is gone. You see the contorted wreckage of cars, the luggage still in them, burned, but the occupants of the car are gone. You see pieces of human limbs unearthed in mass graves. It’s horrifying to look at something like that, we can’t imagine, the human mind can’t conceive how to experience that”, explains Vlad Gheorghe emotionally.

We need to stop Putin

“I am a lawyer and it is my professional opinion, beyond the emotions that naturally overwhelm you at the sight of these horrors, that these are war crimes that must be punished as such. The Ukrainian authorities are taking all the necessary steps for evidence to identify the killers. But one thing is clear: everyone must see these images. The international community must support the punishment of the culprits not only through statements, but through the necessary measures in all competent fora”, says Gheorghe.

“I was asked why we went there – exactly why, so that our testimonies would be extra evidence to put pressure and show the world that the situation in Ukraine is indeed as reported by Ukrainian officials, the international press, humanitarian organisations. We urgently need to do more for Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s Russia will not stop, the threat and aftermath of attacks do not stop at the borders. Europe is now showing the importance of its unity”, believes the USR MEP.

Vlad Gheorghe is the creator of Romania’s largest public group for volunteers helping Ukrainians. There are currently over 278,000 members on the group United for Ukraine – Об’εднанi за Украiну – and the number is growing steadily. Here Ukrainians find shelter, transport, jobs, donations of items, clothes, food, necessary information and any other help they need after leaving their homes for fear of bombs.

Read the full press release.

Articolul Hell on earth – Romanians going to Kyiv, Bucha, Irpin apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

The budget for 2023 is being discussed in the Parliament of the European Union. MEP Vlad Gheorghe brought up the subject of the war in Ukraine and proposed the creation of a Reconstruction Fund for it at European level. In his opinion, the attacker is the one who has to pay.

Strasbourg: European Union Budget for 2023 – Speech by MEP Renew Vlad Gheorghe (05.04.2022).

We cannot talk about the Union’s budget without rebuilding Ukraine. The aftermath of the war does not stop at our borders, but affects us all.

After 40 days of massacres and destruction in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, I hope we all agree: perpetrators must pay! That is why I proposed the creation of an EU Fund for the Rebuilding of Ukraine, financed by a Commission that can freeze and seize the assets of the Putin regime and the Russian oligarchs.

Please support this fund. Let us also urgently take the necessary measures to ensure our TOTAL energetic independence, food autonomy and the security of our citizens. This is how we strengthen the EU’s Green Deal, objectives on transport, health and education infrastructure. This is the way to strengthen justice and the rule of law in ALL Member States.

The EU budget must contain additional support for Moldova, Romania and all countries that receive and integrate Ukrainian citizens on their territory.

Thank you.

Reconstruction of Ukraine financed by sanctions on Russia

Read the full document.

Articolul [video] Reconstruction of Ukraine financed by sanctions on Russia apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

According to multiple complaints from citizens, illegal road transport of people is carried out from Iasi International Airport. People without a transport license, qualifications and authorizations are making flights to Chisinau (Republic of Moldova) in exchange of money. The price is 20 euros. All this is happening under the watchful eye of the Iasi Air Transport Police, the competent authority to take action. USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe has raised these issues both on the spot and officially. However, the authorities have not yet solved the situation.

“The Air Transport Police told me that in such cases they do not have what measures to take – the employee to whom I reported the problem justified that she is alone on shift and fails to perform a thorough surveillance in the airport. It was only after I had identified myself that she agreed to go to the persons in question, whom the Air Transport Police employee questioned about their activities at the airport. Although they confirmed what I had initially reported, no active action was taken against the illegal carriers”, reports Vlad Gheorghe, member of the Renew Europe MEP group.

Iași Airport Border Crossing Point manages border control of persons and goods entering or leaving Romania through the airport. Now, with the influx of Ukrainian refugees coming from Moldova, local authorities should be extremely alert to possible illegal activities.

Complaint to the local authorities

“We have referred to the Iasi County Council and the Iasi Airport Autonomous Regia for investigation on the reported facts. We are taking all necessary measures to prevent such crimes. The airport administration must authorise taxi drivers at the airport in accordance with Law no. 38/2003 on transport by taxi and for hire, with subsequent amendments and additions, and the people in the premises of Iași airport, whom I reported to the police on 12.03.2022 were illegally practicing transport activities, as they did not have a transport licence”, explains MEP Vlad Gheorghe.

It is not a question of tax evasion, but most importantly of safety of people who undertake such illegal services.

“The drivers do not have professional certificates. The cars are not properly checked. Additionally, most likely the speed at which they drive is above the limits of the Highway Code. The ultimate goal is exclusively profit – the shorter the trip, the more trips can be made daily by illegal carriers. Moreover, providing such transport services at such a low cost for a distance of more than 150 km is clearly misleading vulnerable people – these are textbook conditions for preparing to commit other crimes”, warns the USR MEP, a lawyer by profession who since taking office in the European Parliament in November 2020 has submitted more than 150 interpellations and complaints to national authorities.

Read the full press release

Articolul Illegal road transport of people from Iasi International Airport apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

Recent Interpol data estimates that illegal exploitation of natural resources, be it poaching, logging or mining, finances 38% of international armed conflicts. Furthermore, waste trafficking and wildlife crimes are identified by Europol as among the most significant threats to the security of the European Union, which loses up to €3 billion annually from the illegal trade in protected species alone.

EU Green Prosecutor widely supported

In a joint meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions (PETI) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), many MEPs, as well as representatives of the European Commission, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Europol and non-governmental organisations expressed their support for the establishment of a European Green Prosecutor. Since 2021, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, “took note with great interest” of this proposal. To offer environmental protection and fight crimes is one of EU’s priorities. She said that measures taken at European level have so far had “limited effect”. Thus, this kind of initiatives are more than welcomed.

However, the establishment of a European Green Prosecutor is running up against a heavy bureaucratic process at the European level. The proponent of this new structure to fight environmental crimes is Vlad Gheorghe, USR MEP and lawyer. MEP Gheorghe is previously known for taking the initiative to create a similar law in Romania in 2018 (DNA-ul pădurilor):

“Let’s not forget that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office emerged as an idea in 2007. Then, in 2013 the founding regulation was proposed. However, it was only in 2017 that 16 Member States, including Romania, launched the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Finally, the institution became operational only in June 2021 and it activates only in 22 Member States. The speed of climate change and the amount of money being lost to criminals who do not hesitate to destroy the environment leave us no time to repeat this incredibly slow procedure”, says the MEP.

Proposal – European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to cover environmental crimes

Vlad Gheorghe and Renew Europe MEPs have proposed as early as July 2021 to extend the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to cover environmental crimes.

“In the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets we have also supported increase in the number of prosecutors employed in the Public Prosecutor’s Office headed by Laura Codruța Kövesi. Additionally, we agreed on a budget increase. The EPPO cannot prosecute hundreds of corruption cases with damages of over €5 billion without adequate funding. If we look at the recent work of the Prosecutor’s Office, which has resulted in indictments of former prime ministers and ministers from EU member states, we can understand the reluctance to provide the institution led by Kövesi with the necessary resources,” says Vlad Gheorghe.

Background

According to Europol, environmental crimes remain largely unreported and uninvestigated at European level by national authorities. This offences lead to irreversible loss of biodiversity, natural resources and often even loss of life. Recently, in Romania 6 foresters have been killed by wood thieves and over 800 activists and journalists have been assaulted.

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Articolul Environmental crimes contribute to armed conflicts apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 2.5 million people have fled the country. United Nations estimates a minimum of 4 million people with refugee status in the upcoming period.

According to official figures, more than 400.000 people have arrived in Romania from Ukraine since the war started. Currently, only around 3.000 Ukrainians have sought asylum in our country. However, if the war drags on, Romania will soon expect a much higher influx of people. USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe has officially requested the Government to offer the free spaces under the Autonomous State Property Administration to refugees.

Public institutions – accommodation for Ukrainian citizens

“There is no clear and transparent situation of the governmental patrimony (RA-APPS). Nevertheless, we know that it concerns buildings and lands all over the country, including hotels and villas. RA-APPS manages a patrimony worth more than 3.7 billion lei and has around 2.000 employees. There are certainly enough free spaces where families with children, elderly and disabled people seeking shelter in Romania can be safely accommodated”, believes the USR MEP.

“We see an exemplary mobilization of ordinary people in Romania who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees in their homes. Since Putin’s invasion, civil society and the private sector have again given the best example of solidarity. The same cannot be said of the Romanian state. At the central level, either too little is done to help those fleeing the war, or what is being done is not communicated at all”, stresses Vlad Gheorghe.

Together with 38 colleagues from Renew Europe and other MEP groups, Vlad Gheorghe also called for the European Parliament to open its buildings in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg to Ukrainians leaving their bombed country.

“It would not be the first time that the EP premises set an example of solidarity. Former President Davide Sassoli had such an initiative in support of those affected by the pandemic in 2020”, recalls the USR MEP.

Largest support group for Ukrainians in Romania

In February 2022, Vlad Gheorghe set up the largest public group for volunteers to help Ukrainians fleeing war. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Romania’s borders have been filled up with people seeking safety. Romanians have not hesitated to jump to their aid. UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – group currently has over 267,000 members and the number is constantly growing, with over 30,000 registered volunteers offering accommodation, transport or donations of goods.

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Articolul Public institutions – accommodations for Ukrainians apare prima dată în Vlad Gheorghe.