Whether the missiles hit their target is not the central issue. The issue is that a threshold was crossed. A capability was demonstrated. A message was sent. And that message was not aimed only at Washington, London, or military planners in the Gulf. It was aimed at everyone still pretending that distance is protection.

If Tehran can launch at roughly 4,000 kilometres today, only a fool would build policy on the assumption that 5,000 kilometres is somehow out of reach tomorrow.

Romania’s President Nicușor Dan chose reassurance over reality

This is what makes President Nicușor Dan’s recent declarations look less like calm leadership and more like strategic frivolity.

He said Romania was completely safe and under no direct threat. That kind of absolute language is politically convenient, but it is also dangerously fragile. It sounds firm for a news cycle, then collapses the moment reality outpaces the statement. And reality has moved fast.

The problem is not that a president should avoid panic. Of course, he should. The problem is that he chose the rhetoric of certainty in a security environment defined precisely by uncertainty. When missile range expands, when escalation spreads, and when European capitals are openly discussed within strike distance, the responsible language is caution, preparedness, and deterrence, not blanket comfort.

Romania is not outside the new threat range. But no other capital city is!

Romania cannot speak about itself as if it exists outside the strategic geometry of this war. It is a NATO state on the eastern flank. It hosts critical allied infrastructure, such as the infamous Deveselu rocket site. It matters militarily, geographically, and politically. That alone makes it relevant. Add the fact that Iran has now demonstrated a much longer reach than the one it spent years publicly normalising, and the old language of “no direct threat” begins to sound unserious.

No, that does not mean Romania is about to be hit tomorrow, despite Iran’s recent threats that it considers Romania an aggressor. It means Romania is no longer entitled to the fantasy that this is someone else’s problem.

NATO protection is real, but it is not magic

NATO is not a miracle shield that makes geography disappear, missiles vanish, or escalation politely stop at the Alliance’s frontier. It is a military deterrent structure, not divine intervention. If a longer-range strike ever pierced Europe’s defences, the first reality would not be communiqués or treaty language, but destroyed infrastructure, burning airports, shattered energy facilities, paralysed logistics, mass panic, and cities thrown into emergency mode within minutes.

Bucharest, Warsaw, Berlin, Paris or Rome would not look “safe” in that moment simply because they belong to NATO. They would look like modern capitals hit by the failure of deterrence. NATO can retaliate, contain, and raise the cost of aggression to catastrophic levels, but it does not mean that no missile can fly, no building can fall, and no civilian population can be forced to live through the first hours of devastation.

There is another lazy reflex in European political communication: invoking NATO as if the very mention of the Alliance eliminates danger. NATO matters. American presence matters. Missile defence matters. Collective defence matters. But deterrence is not the same as invulnerability.

A country can be defended and still be threatened. It can be under the NATO umbrella and still sit inside an adversary’s strike logic. Serious leaders understand this distinction. Weak leaders blur it because the second version is easier to sell domestically.

That is exactly why phrases like “Romania is safe” should be treated with scepticism when the actual strategic environment is deteriorating in real time.

Europe has run out of geographic excuses

The deeper issue is European complacency. For too long, Europe has behaved as if danger only becomes real when it arrives physically, visibly, and unmistakably on European soil. Until then, every escalation is treated as regional, external, manageable, somebody else’s problem.

That mentality is now collapsing. A 4,000-kilometre launch is not only a military event. It is a political event. It forces Europe to confront the shrinking distance between conflict zones and European vulnerability. It destroys the comforting fiction that the continent can remain merely an observer while the surrounding arc of instability expands.

No one in Europe is safe any longer in the old psychological sense of the word. That is the real shift.

The most dangerous lie is false certainty

The most irresponsible thing a European leader can offer at a moment like this is not caution. It is false certainty.

Citizens do not need theatrical panic. But they do need adult language. They need to hear that the world has changed, that security assumptions are being rewritten, and that comforting slogans are not a strategy.

Iran’s longer-range launch should be read as a warning shot to European political thinking as much as to military planners. And in that context, Nicușor Dan’s confident assurances already look obsolete.

Because once a regime demonstrates that Europe is within reach, the debate is no longer whether the continent is “safe.” The debate is whether its leaders are serious enough to admit that it is no longer.

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This is not a generic directory. We built the list starting from a broader European longlist and narrowed it down through a repeatable evaluation framework focused on proof, consistency, and capability, not slogans.

Methodology: how we built and ranked the best SEO agencies in Europe for 2026

To compile this ranking of the best SEO agencies in Europe, we reviewed agencies using publicly available signals and documented evidence, then scored them across multiple criteria to reduce bias and “brand-only” selections.

What we evaluated (high-signal factors):

• Demonstrated outcomes in case studies and public work (clarity of problem → approach → measurable impact)
• Execution depth across technical SEO, content strategy, and authority building (not just audits)
• Strategy maturity (how well they connect SEO to revenue, pipeline, and market positioning)
• Specialisation and market fit (international SEO, local SEO at scale, e-commerce, enterprise, etc.)
• Credibility signals (team expertise, thought leadership quality, awards/recognition where relevant)
• Modern search readiness, including multi-surface SEO and AI discovery/GEO, where it is genuinely part of the service stack

Agencies were ranked primarily on delivery strength and proof of impact, then on strategy and transparency. In practice, we prioritised teams that can ship consistently and explain what they do in a way a buyer can validate.

We also applied basic editorial filters:

• No pay-to-play placements: inclusion is based on evaluation, not sponsorship.
• Consistency matters: one strong claim without supporting evidence was not enough.
• Buyer usefulness: We favoured agencies that clearly communicated scope, process, and expectations.

This ranking is updated periodically as agencies evolve, publish new work, change focus, or demonstrate stronger (or weaker) performance signals. If you represent an agency and believe relevant work was missed, you can send additional proof (case studies, public campaigns, measurable outcomes) for review in the next update cycle.

We have tried to offer all those interested in SEO and Digital Marketing services in Europe a top 10 list of SEO agencies whose work we were pretty impressed with. Some of the agencies we work with, we know from their work; some we read about on dedicated platforms or studied on their websites.

Here it is…

TUYA Digital SEO & Digital Marketing

TUYA Digital is a European SEO and Generative Engine Optimisation agency focused on building search visibility that holds up after algorithm shifts. Their positioning emphasises technical foundations, structured content systems, and performance-led execution, with a clear preference for measurable outcomes over generic “audit-only” deliverables.

What we love about them is that they use not only SEO techniques but also optimise your projects for generative engines. In fact, they also entered our Best Generative Engine Optimisation Agencies in Europe in 2025.

They have helped many businesses with comprehensive SEO solutions and delivered successful results, including real estate agencies, news portals, travel agencies, and even clients in the legal services area. We love how they worked for Visit Bucharest project, which is a very neat, yet informative website of promoting Romania’s capital city, launched 30 years after Romanian fought for their freedom..

TUYA Digital might not be the biggest one here, but it is team which do their work wholeheartedly and professionally.

Trustcorp

Professional SEO company Trustcorp is an international SEO agency. They have been able to help companies rank for target terms, increase their conversions and control how visitors see their brands and reputations. Trustcorp uses the latest developments in data analytics and competitor analysis to achieve the highest and most ambitious goals of their clients.

Trustcorp has provided search engine optimization solutions for huge names like Lemon Bergen as well as dozens of enterprise clients around the world, but also in the Eastern Europe. They completely revamped their approach to highlight some of their most appealing elements and drive higher engagement and sales. Along with regular local business, they lead successful projects in such highly competitive niches as real estate agencies, pharmaceuticals, airline tickets, hotels, and many others.

Cue Blocks

Cue Blocks is a full-service digital agency from Czech Republic, offering Search Engine Optimization services and strategies that are search engine friendly.

With their effective SEO solutions, you can enhance your online presence and work on improving your conversion rate. They usually begin by carefully chalking out areas of improvement on your website and carefully work out an optimization strategy that best suits your kind of business. Our favourite website from their clients is Switch. Members of this website have access to curated jewelry collections, including iconic fashion houses like Hermes and Chanel, as well as couture brands and emerging designers. Cue Blocks did a remarkable job with Switch from creation to fruition in the development of the website from scratch.

iProspect

Marketing has changed. As digital extends into all areas of our lives, every tweet, every status update and video has become a potential customer touchpoint. Audiences today want services and content that meet their needs, wherever they are, whatever they’re doing. At iProspect, you will find not just specialists in different types of digital marketing, but also specialists who know how to bring it together.

By putting the customer`s needs first, they create simple, effective strategies that connect with people across every channel – and grow business in ways they can measure.

Delante

Delante was founded in 2014 in Kraków. Delante has a team of experts in the area of SEO and performance-based advertising. They help clients leverage the Search Engine Optimisation and gain organic traffic to their websites. They also run Google Ads campaigns for their clients.

Delante delivers personal, adaptive and valuable digital experiences by using proprietary solutions including: paid and natural search, content writing, data & insights, social media management, structured data and feeds, performance display, mobile strategy, video, conversion optimization and affiliates. With Netcube, for example, they started from scratch. In the second month of the cooperation the organic traffic already amounted to 700 sessions, and the website started generating revenue, which is very impressive.

Hop Online

Hop Online is a marketing agency helping businesses accelerate their growth through PPC, Social Media, SEO and Content Marketing. Before charting a course for consistent organic traffic growth, their first goal is to strengthen their client’s website’s technical infrastructure for crawling, indexation, and speed.

They formulate a multi-channel growth strategy, planning for both immediate and sustained growth. From there, project execution is dynamic and agile. They make educated assumptions, test frequently, eliminate wasteful efforts, and continually pivot their efforts to where they see the highest returns.

Output, one of Hop Online`s clients, sells industry-leading music software and virtual instruments through their website, Output.com. Prior to engaging Hop Online, Output struggled to earn a positive return on ad spend (ROAS) from Google and Facebook, leaning instead on brand reputational strength and direct traffic for driving the bulk of their online sales. ,,Thanks to their help with AdWords, we’ve seen an increase in conversion rates. Most importantly, we feel a lot more confident in our approach to PPC, utilizing their expertise to ensure we’re making the best decisions. “ said Brian Zarlenga, the General Manager of Output. This profitable growth enabled Output to re-invest in both new product development and digital marketing.

SEO Hungary

SEO Hungary create custom campaigns for each of their clients, provide a dedicated account representative, and on average, they increase their clients’ revenue by 20%.

SEO Hungary primarily does four things: website design, SEO, internet marketing, and content writing. Their team has a great experience in digital performance marketing, lead and demand generation programs, ROI-driven media campaigns and Search Engine Optimization. We love their work they did on Pamas wedding invitation design, for their dedication and exquisite web design.

Promodo

Promodo is an award-winning digital marketing agency that drives businesses growth by creating and implementing an online marketing strategy.

Through search engine marketing and online reputation management tools, we connect businesses with their target audience, increase business loyalty, and expand brand awareness. Their team of 160 experts helps clients from 60 countries to promote businesses in developed and emerging markets across the globe. They can create a digital marketing plan for your business that gets results and helps you avoid costly mistakes. The company is a nominee and winner of the PromotionWorld magazine awards, rated top 10 SEO and #1 PPC agency by TopSEOs.

Netpeak

Netpeak is one of biggest internet marketing agencies in Eastern Europe. They handle website promotion, online advertising, web design and brand image promotion. They have a team of overachievers, constantly pushing the boundaries for their clients. They guarantee development and higher sells for their customers by introducing modern marketing tools such as social media marketing, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and website development. We read their case studies and our favourite were those for clients like: OLX, Intellect, IBR, Abis Soft, Yves Rocher, 2Estates, clients belong to different industries.

Dog&Pony

Whether it is companies, charities, NGOs or government agencies, Dog&Pony SEO Agency strives to be effective, and if possible, have a positive social effect with their work.

Their team of SEO specialists analyzes every aspect of your business, website, and customer base before crafting a custom strategy that’s based on hard data so they know how to get the best results for their clients. Their team works to increase your brand equity, grow traffic from actual prospective customers, and most of all, increase your revenue and profit. Dog&Pony are Kaspersky’s social media agency in Hungary and it is very clear that success is their top priority.

We invite all the SEO and digital Marketing agencies we have outlined here to send us more of their work if they think we might have missed something, as this top is going to be updated.

You should also check our TOP European Digital Marketing Agencies.

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In March, Romania had the highest inflation in the European Union, at 6.7%, a long way from the next ranked, Croatia, with 4.9%, according to the data published on Wednesday, April 17, by the European Bureau of Statistics Eurostat.

The EU average was 2.6%, down from 2.8% in February, while in March 2023 the inflation rate was 8.3%. In the euro area, the average rate was 2.4%.

The member countries that enjoyed the lowest inflation rates were Lithuania (0.4%), Finland (0.6%) and Denmark (0.8%).

At the opposite pole are Romania, Croatia, Estonia and Austria (the last two with 4.1%). However, the situation in Romania has improved compared to February, when annual inflation was 7.1%. In the case of Croatia and Austria, the rate is increasing in March.

The post Romania: Inflation Drops to 6.7%, Still Highest in EU appeared first on Valahia.News.

The preparation phase will start in November and will initially last two years. It will involve finalizing the digital euro rulebook and selecting providers that could develop a digital euro platform and infrastructure.

We need to prepare our currency for the future. We envisage a digital euro as a digital form of cash that can be used for all digital payments, free of charge, and meets the highest privacy standards. It would coexist alongside physical cash, always available, leaving no one behind.

Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB

As the European Central Bank announced, users could access digital euro services via their payment service provider’s proprietary app and online interface or a digital euro app provided by the Eurosystem. People without access to a bank account or digital devices could also pay with digital euros, for example, by using a card provided by a public body such as a post office. Users could exchange digital euros for cash or vice versa at cash machines.

CBDCs are highly controversial, and skeptics say they will only enslave the population even more. The main concern is that once controlled by the central governing bodies, digital currencies will offer authorities all the tools to know where and how you spend your money and limit your access to those funds if they consider it appropriate. This is why a large percentage of the population still uses cash and has decided to use cash in personal transactions.

On the other hand, the ECB tries to address these concerns by saying that the digital Euro will offer users the highest level of privacy.

We would never have access to or store your personal data, providing the highest level of privacy. It would be almost like using cash regarding privacy standards when paying offline.

European Central Bank on the privacy offered by the digital Euro

China, the most advanced country in digital currency, pushed forward its CBDC when it launched the digital Yuan in 2022, called e-CNY. Transactions in this digital currency reached USD 300 billion in equivalent, the Chinese authorities announced recently, which is quite impressive.

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In a previous article, we listed the top 10 SEO agencies in Europe in 2025, as we consider that SEO is a solid component of each strategy to grow a brand, The top we publish today should be viewed as a sequel to that one and it is to be used extensively whenever you want your business to grow in Europe digitally.

Many organizations have stepped up to offer their services to companies aiming to boost their online presence due to the growth of digital marketing in recent years. Europe has had an increase in digital and marketing firms split into growth, design, development, and other categories along with the introduction of new businesses. We conducted extensive research to compile this list of some of the top marketing firms in Europe that can support your success so that you may discover the finest partner for your company.

The methodology used to compile the best digital marketing agencies in Europe

When we compiled this top, we considered a few criteria. First off, we looked for the appropriate industry terms on Google, such as “Digital marketing agency” or “Best digital marketing agencies” in the relevant nations. Some results were obtained directly through organic means, while others were obtained through the use of directories, platforms, and listings. The reasoning behind this is that if the agency is successful in optimizing its online presence for the most popular keywords in the industry, it will also be able to do the same for its clients in similar domains.

We considered the fact that the searches were done in English when determining the language in which they offer digital marketing services.

Also, we take into account when we discover that a particular digital marketing firm in a country appears in more listings as the top digital marketing agency worldwide.

Top digital marketing agencies in Europe

By following the methodology mentioned above, the following is a documented list of the top 10 digital marketing agencies in Europe in 2024:

1. TUYA Digital SEO & Digital Marketing

TUYA Digital, a European company founded in Bucharest, Romania in 2010, offers a range of digital marketing services, including website design, content creation, social media campaigns, e-mail marketing, SEO, and growth hacking techniques for boosting sales. Working with the digital marketing experts at TUYA Digital puts you in touch with a company renowned for its effectiveness and hacking abilities in the field of digital marketing. Also, in digital marketing competitions like Webstock or E-Travel Conference, their ability in the digital space has been recognized and honored with numerous prizes. With the aid of its knowledge of SEO and digital marketing, TUYA Digital hopes to increase the number of leads for its clients.

Their clients include Carlette Jewellery, Visit Bucharest, BCP Legal, Malescu Law, Anadolu Medical Center, and many more.

BrainDonors

BrainDonors is a European digital marketing agency founded in 2019. It has successfully completed over 200 projects to date. BrainDonors helps international companies effectively enter and grow in the European market and EMEA with digital marketing activities. Behind the performance and the budgets, however, lies their creativity. The entire advertising industry is based on creativity and effective communication with the right audience. Their team comprises young professionals with a wealth of experience, a creative mindset, and inspiration.

BrainDonors’ success serves as a testament to the transformative power of young and creative minds in shaping a leading digital marketing agency in Europe. The agency’s core services are  Digital Strategy, data analytics, e-commerce marketing, Pay-per-click advertising, and Social Media Marketing. They have delivered exceptional results for industry-leading companies such as Ergomotion, Levi’s, Philips, Home2U, Anker, and OraQuick, among many others.

This section is powered by Brain Donors.

2. Jung von Matt

In German-speaking nations, which economically is an important market, Jung von Matt is the most successful ad agency group in terms of accolades for both creativity and effectiveness. The agency provides all channels and disciplines of marketing communication that are effective and creative to its clients. 29 years after its establishment in Hamburg, Jung von Matt operates as an unlisted company with offices in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, and China.

Their services include data analytics, development, performance marketing, community management, and service design, and BOSCH, DFB, and EDEKA are just some of their large list of clients.

3. Keplar Agency

The Amsterdam-based company Keplar combines technology, design, and function to provide cutting-edge interactive systems. In order to create digital magic, Keplar’s team consists of strategists, creatives, storytellers, designers, technologists, and inventors who all collaborate to share insight, expertise, and knowledge. They opt to concentrate on what they do best, which is developing, managing, and producing new media concepts centered on visual communication. They specialize in creating visual digital media goods.

Their clients include Randstad, Vodafone, and many more.

4. UNRVLD

Leading brands and Unrvld pioneer digital excellence for explosive company growth. They use their three main pillars of experience, technology, and performance to service their clients’ extraordinary experiences that make their lives easier and deliver unmatched solutions so you can foresee change, adapt quickly, and deliver at scale. Their work with The Open, Southampton FC, Roquette, Biffa, and Welsh Water has earned them fame. Unrvld is a global firm that provides digital solutions with offices all across the UK and Europe.

The agency’s main services are Sitecore web development, search engine optimization, digital strategy, and digital marketing. Some of their clients are Welsh Water, Saint Gobain, and Fletcher Building.

5. Velocity Partners

This B2B marketing firm specializes in content marketing but also offers a wide range of services. You can view their additional services as supplements to content marketing rather than as distinct offerings. They work with every tool in the B2B marketing toolbox, including strategy, positioning, branding, digital marketing, content marketing, B2B SEO, and more. Their accomplishments have been acknowledged by The Content Marketing Institute: 2016 Content Marketing Agency of the Year.

Velocity Partners was founded in 2000 and has a team of 51 to 200 employees which provides services such as content marketing, marketing strategy & positioning, branding & design, web development & digital, and content performance.

6. The SEO Works

Digital marketing, websites, and paid social media are services that SEO Works provides to customers in the UK. Content managers, link builders, brand managers, and internet marketers with knowledge of SEO, site design, etc. make up its staff, and its headquarters are based in London. SEO Works has a solid reputation for delivering quantifiable, outstanding results and first-rate customer service. They have received recognition for helping their clients find more through searches.

Your target markets can be targeted through their site, organic content, and sponsored services. Persistence is also essential for successful search engine optimization. To improve rankings and provide long-term benefits, only the safest, most effective SEO services are used. They also completely update their clients on their work and the SEO campaign each month.

Additionally, it has a Bing Ad certification and is a Google Partner Specialist for SEO and PPC. They consider digital marketing to be the way of the future. So as to help you optimize your online potential, they use a variety of digital marketing services. Their consumers have faith in them because of their open communication with them and their trustworthy customer support system, which is available around the clock to assist you with any problems.

7. Creative Sponge

A focused, all-around agency called Creative Sponge has developed a number of successful digital ads for UK-based businesses. The company has collaborated with some of the most prestigious businesses in the world, including Eat Natural and UEA Outreach. Aside from winning the IOO design awards in 2017, Creative Sponge was recognized for their great project contributions and exquisite designs. The company specializes in a variety of areas, including as strong social media management, low bounce rates, and knowledge of Google Analytics.

They are a simple creative company. In other words, they appreciate excellent design. From branding and packaging to digital and advertising campaigns, they appreciate every facet of design. Their clients pick them because they create creative content that strengthens their businesses and gets results.

The agency was founded in 2004 in Norwich, Norfolk, and provides services such as branding, web design, and development, media, and advertising, print, graphic design, e-marketing, consumer, food and drink, tourist, not-for-profit, agriculture, and sports marketing.

8. Shoot You

A well-known creative agency with a focus on animation and video is Shoot You. They offer bespoke productions for all your communication needs and serve a global clientele from offices in London, New York, and Amsterdam. They have over 19 years of business experience and were formerly employed by the BBC. The goal of the organization has always been to provide animation and video for communications between businesses and consumers.

Shoot You offers one-stop shopping. They have all the tools at their disposal. Whether you require scriptwriters, storyboards, camera crews, drones, voiceovers, or 2D or 3D animators, they have the team you require.

The company was founded in 2000 in Surrey, England, and offers the following services: public relations video production, talking head video production, online video production, post-production, animation production, After Effects, case studies, investor relations, corporate video, motion graphics, 3D animation, 2D animation, hand-drawn animation, virtual reality, augmented reality, re-versioning, foreign voiceovers, business communications, and brand communications.

9. Mars Spiders

Mars Spiders is a young business with a team of digital programmers, app developers, and experts in digital marketing. It was founded in 2013 and it is based in London, United Kingdom. They are experts in designing and developing unique mobile apps and websites. Five awards have already been given to Martian Spider.

Their services include ideas & innovation, app design & development, web development & design, content management & copywriting, video production, and photography.

10. 84. Paris

84. Paris is a creative agency founded in 2013 with headquarters located in Paris, France. By delivering creative, strategic, and innovative solutions to help organizations with new difficulties and manage all touchpoints, they assist brands in connecting with new generations.

Some of their major clients are BMW, Adidas, and Biotherm Home and they provide services such as design, art direction, creative development, film, print production, mobile strategy, design, web development, SEO, social media management, and media planning.

How to choose the best digital marketing agency for your needs

There are numerous things to take into account when selecting the ideal digital marketing agency for your purposes, which can be quite a difficult task. To locate the ideal agency for your company, follow these steps:

Establish your objectives: Prior to looking for a digital marketing agency, establish your marketing objectives. What do you hope to accomplish? Do you want to grow sales, create more leads, increase website traffic, or improve the perception of your brand? Establishing your objectives will enable you to locate a company that focuses on your particular requirements.

Research and compare: Once your objectives have been established, look into digital marketing companies that focus on the areas where you need assistance. Search for companies with experience in your field and a successful track record. To choose which company best meets your needs, compare their services, prices, and user reviews.

Ask for references: Without hesitation, ask the agency for recommendations from prior clients. Contact these clients to get feedback. Were they happy with the outcomes? Would they advocate for the organization to others?

Evaluate their expertise: Choose a marketing agency with a team of specialists in many digital marketing disciplines, including SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing, and email marketing. They should be knowledgeable about the most recent trends and methods and able to support you in achieving your objectives.

Consider your budget: Finally, when selecting a digital marketing agency, consider your budget. Choose a company that offers several pricing alternatives and bundle deals that work with your budget.

This is our top 10 digital marketing agencies in Europe in 2025. You can pick any of the listed agencies to take your online business to the next level or look for ways to help it expand online. Our advice is to take this top as a referral, but go through the services provided and choose the option that best satisfies your company’s requirements.

You should also check our TOP Generative Engine Optimization agencies in Europe in 2025.

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Timisoara will host hundreds of events organized throughout the year. For information about the city, places to visit and all the other relevant information, please check the official page Timisoara – European Cultural Capital 2023.

The most attractive 123 events to take place this year in Timisoara are compiled on the dedicated page. Check out the month you want to come to the city, and it’s easy to identify the events to attend.

Our recommendation goes to one of the most remarkable events you cannot miss – the largest Constantin Brancusi exhibition dedicated to the Romanian sculptor organized in Romania in the last 50 years. The sculptures’ fame and beauty will certainly attract many Romanians and foreign tourists.

The main and most valuable event (…) is Romania’s largest Brancusi exhibition in the last 50 years. Titled ‘Brancusi: Romanian Sources and Universal Perspectives,’ it will have exhibits from famous museums of the world on display and is expected to attract numerous visitors and offer a unique experience. The exhibition is complemented by the retrospectives Victor Brauner – Inventions and Magic’ and ‘Paul Neagu. A Retrospective’, but also by a string of events highlighting new forms of artistic expression at the National Art Museum. We would also like to bring a section of the ‘George Enescu’ Festival to Timisoara.

Dan Diaconu, personal adviser to the Timis County Council president, cited by Agerpres

Major international festivals take place in Timisoara this year, during the events dedicated to Timisoara as the European Capital of Culture 2023, such as the “JazzX” International Jazz Festival, the “Codru” Festival, and the Flight Festival or the International Literature Festival.

Whether you want to visit the city in 2023 for the European Capital of Culture events or only as a tourist, Timisoara is one of the most attractive cities in Romania and welcomes you wholeheartedly.

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Viktor Orban believes that among the most thorny problems facing Europe are the demographic crisis, the crisis of spirituality, the power of the West, but also a political crisis, recalling, among other things, that Europe has lost control over energy resources and raw materials, “both necessary to support economic performance”.

The thorniest problem continued to be the demographic problem. There are more funerals than births. (…) The second challenge is the migration phenomenon, which has divided Europe. The migration phenomenon divided Europe in two. The West simply fell apart, it split in two. On the one hand, we have countries, and nations, where we have Europeans and non-Europeans, living together. Those states are no longer nations, there are conglomerates of peoples. We can no longer speak, I say, of the West, it is about a post-Western structure and, according to the rules of mathematics, that great demographic change is happening. In that part of our continent (…), the percentage of the non-European population will increase to over 50%. And we have the other side of Europe, of the West, Central and Eastern Europe, that is, it is about us. I don’t want to create confusion, but I say it anyway, in the spiritual sense, the West has moved to our region. Here we have the West, a post-Western structure, and a battle between the two parts of Europe. So, we made an offer to the post-Westerners, we told them to leave us alone to decide who we wanted to be neighbors with and who we wanted to live with. The post-Westerners refused this offer and said no, we would turn you into what we are or have become. Now there is less talk about migration, but believe me, nothing has changed. Brussels and the sorosist teams simply want to force us to accept the migrants.

Viktor Orban in Baile Tusnad, Romania, on Western decadence

In this context, the Hungarian Prime Minister referred to the “gender ideology,” noting that “this Western madness will not have a majority in this part of the world”.

Our position is elementary here as well. We ask, it’s an offer of tolerance: we don’t want to tell them how to live, we only ask them to accept that with us, the father is a man, the mother is a woman and that our children be left in peace. And let this be accepted by the Soros army as well. It would be imperative to understand in the West that this is not an ideological issue but simply the most important issue of life in Hungary and this part of the world. This Western madness will never have a majority in this part of the world. Hungarians and others do not accept that these are gender, transnational, transgender things. (…) So please, let’s not confuse and let’s not get confused with war, energy and economic crises because that draws a screen in front of our eyes and around the issue of transgender and migration. But in fact, the turning point of the future is these issues: demography, migration and ideo-gender logic, and this is the stake of the fight between the left and the right. Don’t forget, ladies and gentlemen, that our future depends on this issue and how we can defend ourselves,

Viktor Orban on gender issues

In his speech, the Hungarian Prime Minister also said, among other things, that Hungary will look for allies who share the same visions, considering it very important that the country stays out of war, migration, global tax and transgender ideology, as well as the general recession in Europe.

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Actions taken by public administration are necessary to create a supportive legal and tax environment, but it is the companies that constitute the most significant driving force when it comes to tackling social issues. Data collected among the citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, and Slovenia between March and April 2022 shows that CEE citizens appreciate socially engaged companies, but in return, they expect transparency, honesty and linking social activities with the company’s business profile.

Not only the customers, but also employees want to contribute to the growth of responsible companies. The social activity of potential employers is important to 36% of those searching for new jobs. Employee volunteering is becoming an important trend, but only 20% of CEE citizens state that their employers offer this opportunity to them. At the same time, nearly 40% of those who do not have this option claim to be interested in it. – explains Anna Korzeniewska from Social Impact Alliance for Central & Eastern Europe, an international think tank that conducted the study. A similar situation can be observed for pro bono activities. Only 14% of respondents state that their employers provide pro bono support as part of their business activity, while as many as 46% expect this to change.

When asked which UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be addressed by particular industries, CEE citizens indicate that the financial sector should solve problems related to poverty, education, and economic growth. Food companies and retail chains are expected to put more emphasis on combating hunger and promoting responsible consumption. Technology and IT companies should support innovation and economic growth, while the energy and automotive industries should focus on climate-related issues.

Access to knowledge and education was indicated as one of the most important needs in the region. It turns out that only 11% of CEE citizens understand what ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) stands for. For most citizens, philanthropy is part of financial education and should be promoted by banks. According to the majority, social engagement should be taught from an early age.

2022 survey and an analogous one conducted in 2020 in Poland, Czech Rep., Slovakia, and Hungary clearly show that crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are mobilizing Europeans to become socially involved. As many as 53% of CEE citizens have joined efforts to support Ukrainian refugees, primarily by providing financial support and donating goods. As the year 2021 has shown, the biggest challenge will be to maintain this engagement. It is worth noting that expectations toward more developed countries have increased. A higher commitment is expected particularly from the countries of Western Europe (Germany, Switzerland, UK) and North America (USA, Canada).

Currently, nearly half of CEE citizens (48%) make financial donations – regardless of age, gender, place of residence, or income. The total value of annual donations in the 7 surveyed countries amounts to nearly one billion euros, but their philanthropic potential is twice as high. – This scale of engagement is possible, but to strengthen the social impact ecosystem in the CEE countries, we need to raise awareness, initiate more cooperation, and identify and eliminate barriers, also tax and legal. – notes Anna Korzeniewska.

The development of sustainable philanthropy requires reliable data and knowledge sharing. Central and Eastern Europe, thanks to the growing potential of its society, has a real opportunity to continue building a culture of philanthropy and lasting social attitudes. This is why it is important to invest in research to engage all actors of society in a strategic and long-term manner.

Liza Belozerova, Senior Manager at Google.org, Europe, Middle East & Africa

SOURCE Social Impact Alliance for Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)

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According to Eurostat, the 19 Eurozone countries’ economies grew by 5.2% earlier this year compared to the same period in 2021 and by 0.3% from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022.

Romania’s GDP increased by 6.5% in the first three months of this year compared to last year. The increase was 5.2 % compared to the end of 2021, the highest recorded by any EU country. The Romanian Institute of Statistics confirmed the same data this morning.

Is Romania the EU’s champion, or what’s hidden behind this growth?

Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Mihai Daraban, talks about the other side of the coin. Although it seems that Romania is on the right track, even a progressive one, this percentage is, in fact, not favouring the Romanian economy. This economic growth comes from the domestic consumption of imported goods, meaning Romania’s real financial gain went to other countries exporting these goods to Romania.

I think we need to think about this 94.8 billion euro figure that we imported last year. Let’s see what that means, because the import figure is probably the most eloquent mirror of the consumer. It is very good to have an increase in the gross domestic product on consumption, but it depends on what consumption. If it’s imported, we didn’t do anything. If we try to consume Romanian production, we can really talk about sustainable and healthy economic growth. Otherwise, everything is a mess.

Mihai Daraban, President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In other words, as good as the figures in the Eurostat table on Romania’s situation show, this is not good news at all. Due to the anticipation of the economic crisis, lately, Romanians have started to buy much more, fearing that prices might rise even higher, and as the Romanian market is full of exporters, Romania did not have anything to gain but to lose. We can speak of an economic loss and not of economic progress.

When Eurostat tells us that we are in the last place in the EU for research and innovation, you have to ask yourself some questions and start opening this place, to realize that we don’t really have Romanian products with high added value … The reality is told including export figures, and import figures.

Mihai Daraban, President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

For a country such as Romania to fuel its economic growth from consumption and not investments, this spells economic disaster in the future. Considering that the foreign investors have lost their appetite for pouring their money into the Romanian economy, there’s no wonder why the Romanians working abroad have recently become the biggest foreign investor in Romania.

So, who is right here? The Government tells people the economy is strong and that they live well, or the specialists who are alarmed by the current trade deficit and how the Romanian economy is really behaving. One thing is certain: each time optimistic statistics are displayed, there is a strong need to look at what happens behind the scenes carefully. The devil is always in the details.

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Romania is near the bottom of the European Union in many ways, particularly when it comes to barometer indices of living standards. In the 15 years since joining the EU, Romania has recovered from gaps in comparison to the European Union average: in 2007, Romania had 44% of the average European GDP per capita, and by 2020, according to the most recent aggregate data, it had increased to 72%. Even though Romania ranked 26 in Europe regarding real GDP per capita, there is significant growth.

Romania ranks first among the 27 European Union countries in a few chapters. It is, for example, the world’s largest producer of sunflower and corn, as well as a significant manufacturer of wine and automobiles. Here are the places Romania ranks in the European Union:

Production of sunflowers and corn

Romania’s EU membership – 1

Romania is the European Union’s leading corn and sunflower producer. It not only has the greatest farmed area, but it also produces the most sunflower in the EU – 2,800 tons in 2021. At the same time, France produced 2,000 tons of sunflowers.

Production of wheat

Romania’s EU membership – 4

In 2021, Romania’s wheat-growing area was nearly 2.2 million hectares, with a yield of more than 10 million tons. According to the data, Romania is ranked fourth in the European Union, behind France, Germany, and Poland.

Internet download speed

Romania’s EU membership – 1

Romania is top of the European Union in terms of broadband internet download speed, with a speed of around 200 Mbps. The European average is about 100 Mbps, less than half of Romania’s download speed. Plus, Momondo, the world leader in online travel and one of the largest fare aggregators, places Romania in the third spot ranking of the best countries for remote work in 2022 due to the internet speed.

Production of wine

Romania’s EU membership – 6

Romania produced approximately 5 million hectoliters of wine in 2020, placing it sixth among European wine producers. Italy, Spain, and France are the major wine producers in the European Union, each producing about 30 million hectoliters each year. Romanian wines are most definitely worth discovering, being highly appreciated by foreigners for their authentic taste.

Production of automobile

Romania’s EU membership – 7

Romania is the seventh-largest passenger automobile producer in the European Union. According to the most recent figures, Romania produced over 438,000 cars in 2020, more than Hungary (433,000) or Poland (433,000). (221,000). Germany produces 3.4 million automobiles every year, making it Europe’s largest manufacturer. The most famous Romanian car brand is Dacia, a highly bought car in Europe that recently reached the production of Dacia Duster SL Extreme urban grey vehicle of ten-millionth.

Minimum Wage

Romania is ranked 19th out of 21 EU countries

The minimum gross wage, which in Romania is the total spending of an employer with a minimum salary, is 515 euros per month, putting Romania in 19th rank among the 21 EU member states with a legally mandated minimum wage. If only the gross minimum salary were considered, rather than the entire expenditure of the employer with a minimum wage, Romania would rank fifth in Europe, ahead of Bulgaria. Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in the European Union, at 2,260 euros gross per month.

Per capita GDP

Romania’s EU membership – 26

Despite recovering at a considerably faster rate than other countries in the region, Romania retains the European Union’s penultimate real GDP per capita, ahead of Bulgaria. According to Eurostat data, Romania had a real GDP (adjusted for inflation) per capita of 9,400 euros at the end of 2021. Bulgaria, for example, has a real GDP per capita of 5,900 euros, while Luxembourg has a real GDP per capita of about 87,000 euros.

Highway system

Romania’s EU membership – 21

Romania is one of the last countries in the European Union in terms of the highway network, with 931 kilometres in 2021. Hungary, with a population half that of Romania, has a highway network of over 1,700 kilometres.

Medical costs

Romania’s EU membership – 26

According to the most recent figures compiled by the European Commission, Romania allocated 5.7% of GDP to health in 2019, putting it in fifth place in the European Union. Health spending accounts for 9.9% of GDP on average across Europe, with Germany (11.7%) and France (11%) spending the highest.

Even if Romania seems to have a more difficult development process, progress can be seen. Europe Day is a reminder that Romania, as an EU member, must progress and raise the current European standards.

Source: Ziarul Financiar

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