European Commission (EC) president Jean-Claude Juncker and the College of Commissioners will be in Bucharest on January 10-11 to attend the official launch of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

On Thursday, January 10, Juncker will deliver a speech on the occasion, as will Romanian prime minister Viorica Dancila, the president of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, and the president of the European Council Donald Tusk, according to the EC Representation in Romania.

Then, the next day, EC president Juncker will hold bilateral meetings with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis and with prime minister Dancila. Both meetings will be followed by joint press conferences. Jean-Claude Juncker’s agenda will also include meetings with Senate president Calin Popescu Tariceanu and Chamber of Deputies president Liviu Dragnea.

Also on Friday, the College will participate in meetings with the Romanian president and government to discuss the main priorities of the Romanian EU presidency.

Meanwhile, a new street demonstration is planned in Bucharest on January 10. Called “We want Europe not dictatorship,” the demonstration is to take place in front of the Romanian Athenaeum, in the George Enescu Square, right when the ceremony marking the launch of the Romanian EU presidency is scheduled to take place, in the presence of European leaders.

The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months, and Romania holds it in the first half of this year, until the end of June. It is the first time that Romania holds the Council rotating presidency.

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Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Pixabay.com)