Romanian orphans provokes storm in Parliament
GOOGLE TRANSLATION
Publication date: 07/04/2000
The problem is institutionalized children, in terms of international public opinion, one of the "print heads" when it is Romania. Ten years are still talking about the disastrous situation of institutionalized children in Romania, and in these years, the situation not only not imbuntatit, but it was like in the spring of 1999, to be considered a humanitarian crisis. And that's not that Romania would not have received understanding and support from the international community, but simply because it has not been able to solve a problem that has received support - moral, financial and experts - the international community .
Must be very clear to everyone, the problem can be solved only with promises that they make Romania for 10 years and is not even enough to recognize that this problem exists. The important thing is what more important is how the act, it is important hiring! As they say in high levels of power, all they need, in the first row, the political will of the authorities, otherwise will not get the results you expect a whole world and especially Romania. Reform can not be done if there is no ability to take the necessary decisions and, if not put into place mechanisms for the implementation of the reform, if not comply with a rigorous budgetary mechanism functional. Romania's syndrome suffer from institutionalized children and 10 years can not be committed to a "treatment" - which, in fact, never is so painful - which cost us: the image on the international Romania has suffered a new serious damage when negotiations start EU accession has been conditioned to solve this problem, a condition set as a criterion of political respect for human rights! The European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday held the first public hearing - organized at the initiative -- within which the issue was discussed institutionalized children. Why? Because, after some time with a non-governmental French, led by Francois de Combret, who was part of the program of assistance in this matter, he made a complaint that accused the European Commission to be assured a very bad management problem and the funds allocated Romaniei.Sedinta was opened by Nicole Fontaine - President of the European Parliament - which, in his speech, talked about what to do in Romania in 1990, about the fact that PE understands the issues very heavy with Romania face, but efforts have been made until now have not been to the needs of the country. Regarding the issue of children in institutions, Nicole Fontaine pointed out that Romania should have the ability to protect the weak, "indispendabila condition to ensure social cohesion and solidarity which is based on the construction of Europe" and expressed hope as a new-established National Agency for Child Protection will be able to find the solution and will therefore be performance. EP is the EU institution which, in 1991, opened a budget line - from the EU budget - for children in Romania, just to support structural reforms - essential, in fact - to be made in the system. To highlight and support the opening of PE, Mrs Fontaine said that "PE always insisted that Romania have the place it deserves in the enlargement process and beyond," to take place in the European Union of tomorrow, in great sinul European families to which they belong and, in the end, to give the extent and importance attached to this problem of children to quote Albert Einstein: "Cuvintul progress has no effect as long there are kids unhappy." He came and then turn Romania, which Brussels has gone from a strong parliamentary and governmental delegation composed of Mariana Stoica, Co-Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee EU-Romania, and Andrei Marga - Romanian Minister of National Education, Roman Vlad - president of the National Agency for Child Protection, accompanied by some representatives Non-governmental organizations such as Olivier Braunsteffer - Secretary General of the Association of SERA and Gabriela Alexandrescu - president of the Association "Save the Children." We've talked about the problems faced by Romania, has talked about how it was managed problem children, about the efforts, achievements in this area, about reform, about a very well received with 26% growth budget this issue in 2000, about abandonurilor importance of prevention, about the importance of family for every child and about helping families in difficulty, the integration of these children into society. But to subiliat of all parties, especially as a very serious problem, the system of adoptions from Romania, which, apparently, does not comply with the Hague Convention signed by our country, asked the involvement of organizations guy mobster in this issue. Romania was again drew attention to programs not Phare is a policy of humanitarian assistance, "but a way to help countries to take full responsibilities incumbent on them and, equally, to enjoy all the rights when they joining the EU. " Mr Eneko LANDÁBURU, director general in the European Commission, said in a tone very strongly - interventions by members of the Romanian delegation - that Romania will not receive any funds PHARE and the 25 million euros allocated since July - and still neacordate - If there is no clear guarantees from the Government programs will be implemented. Through the voice of Mr. LANDÁBURU, the European Commission has also requested three things: control of humanitarian assistance granted, an audit of the facility to see the exact state of things; Agency for supporting a policy of prevention abandonurilor, supporting families in difficulty, etc.. , Stressing the importance in this context the existence of a system of surveillance and monitoring programs and implemented a program to quantify multiannual easily check the progress made. Reaffirmed his desire and the opening of the European Commission to discuss and to support the whole process of reform, dindu the insurance that there are financial resources disponibile.Cum was natural, the Romanian side has presented the current situation in the field, talking about efforts and problems that face and about the need to be supported on this road. Mr. Minister Andrei Marga said hiring Romanian Government, in an executive capacity, to closely monitor developments and to use in the constructive spirit in the actions undertaken suggestions. Waiting with great interest the speech of Mr. Vlad Romano, president of the National Agency for Child Protection - the organization founded at the request of the European Commission - it that the forum will be to find the best solutions to resolve the situation and credited as such. But, surprise! Rather than hear a speech strongly and clearly and to enjoy a concise and straightforward a government strategy on child rights protection in the period 2000 - 2003, I attended a benefit rotten, boring and devoid of substance. Nobody can accuse Mr. Romano has not done as an introduction in which to thank many, many, I repeated what is said, that has no strategy on points (a strategy that is very good, and that with small changes made to highlight certain aspects, can be used to obtain the involvement of major donors) really, I referred to the budget and legislation, but she was numb for many would say, and tone, excuse me of expression , "As a sprit, who spoke with an appreciable period of time, you illustrate with a quote that I think is eloquent:" As far as going to say, I will try to get as more clearly ... things could but, with so much to say, at a time, to fail to do this and I ask you to shoot me in ruffles and to ask for explanations when I find one thing that does not I explained well enough. " That yes, opening! Mr. Romano said that the problems will not be resolved miraculously overnight and that the reforms will require time for that place is: "I'm afraid that is much room to improve management at the local level, especially financial managenemntul" said she vrind likely to emphasize that did not do too much until now. President Romano referred, also in the national interest which are programs of reform institutions and to support alternatives to these institutions. It would be an issue mentioned that he referred to Mr. Romano "increased awareness - I hesitated because I have not wanted to offend - the Romanian society." I wonder when the image of Romania is confused with that of children in orphanages, when all televisions in the world have experienced terrifying images of the homes of orphans, when are subject to resolve this issue in order to get where we belong, may be talk about a lifting of awareness? Do we ask the Romanian society, said that there are resources, "... to take (the issue) not only as being and that there are, but to take alongside government funding for this problem", when over 8 million inhabitants of Romania live below the poverty threshold? Yes, of course, but must be taken into account the fact that non-governmental organizations, essential in such situations do not have enough power to do so, they do not have the tools necessary to do and what you would like! And there is something agencies have enough credibility resort in Romania for, say, an individual donor can be sure that money does not go somewhere else, after all these scandals concerning irregularities in financial management, which itself referred to Mr Romano ! Photos-scandal in Parliament EuropeiCea largest and unpleasant surprise, but a hearing Tuesday offered a Braunsteffer Mr. Olivier, secretary general of the Association of SERA, which, besides exposure situation - "After 10 years, the situation has not fundamentally changed ... There are orphanages where conditions are dire, ... that the mortality rate is not allowed big "- presented" some photos taken Friday mush, not to spread miserable conditions that I could find and nor Romanian representatives ...", discredited The pictures are, as you could see, inspaimintatoare, and the reaction to Mrs. Mariana Stoica, who led the Romanian delegation was sight cvasiinstantanee them, ask where and when they were made. The answer came immediately: Home from hospital Babeni, Vilcea County. Insa lucrurile nu s-au terminat aici, pentru ca, inainte de expunerea concluziilor doamnei Thors, domana Mariana Stoica a cerut din nou cuvintul si a spus: "... ca urmare a convorbirii telefonice avute de unul dintre colegii mei, domnul secretar de the state of justice, with Babeniul, I wish to stress the following fact: there was no committee to Babeni where SERA works a year, and now a week has not been any visit to this home. The information checked Our bodies, including the border, therefore, in this regard we are grateful and we invite you to come any time in Romania, in any conditions and any committees want to see is actually the state of children in institutions Our ". What he wanted SERA, when they presented these photos? However, the reaction SERA representative to answer Ms. Walters is clearly not expected to immediately verify the information by the Romanian side: never had any argument or may not ace out of ruffles! However, this does change the game, because if Romanian authorities are right means that someone is trying to dezinformeze. Why? Episodul "pictures from Home-hospital Babeni" put us again in a situation which, through repetition, becomes more than stinjenitoare for Romania's prestige. They were brought as evidence - a still - for what infernal of institutions that deal with care of children orphaned in Romania. Those who have made - French SERA members of the association - have a reputation that I know what this is about, especially the enormous pressure that an exercise of citva time here over the Romanian and European profile is happy and making an argument that the game be more interesting, but strange: the program director of this institution in Romania, there is no other than Mr. Cristian Tabacaru, former secretary of state in the Romanian Government, whose name was often evoked in connection with many of insucccesele notorious in the management of funds allocated by the European Community in favor of institutionalized children in our country. If these pictures are real, in the sense that, as stated, were made only a few days ago, when the situation is very serious: that is, beyond the beautiful words nobody has done anything to improve the situation, and those responsible should give socoteala.Dar if, as stated Ms. Mariana Stoica in the hearings at the European Parliament (after a period of several hours, was in telephone contact with the authorities in Bucharest), the photos are old, then we face a campaign of disinformation serious prejudice to the political interests of the Romanian State. And such action should be punished firmly, clearly, as such. Address, this way, a call authorities responsible for clarifying its mystery "photographs Babeni from" and make them public. At the same time, and ask colleagues in the Romanian press a call rugindu them to react, knowing very well that are short term, but also in a longer perspective, the more harmful than the implantation of such images at public mondiale.Cred that, in the end, Romania, at least on this subject, should counterattack. (Cristian Unteanu, Diana Andrew - Brussels
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Orfanii Romaniei provoaca furtuna in Parlamentul European
Data publicarii: 07/04/2000
Problema copiilor institutionalizati reprezinta, din punctul de vedere al opiniei publice internationale, unul dintre "capetele de afis" cind este vorba despre Romania. De zece ani se tot vorbeste despre situatia dezastruoasa a copiilor institutionalizati din Romania, iar in acesti ani, situatia nu numai ca nu s-a imbuntatit, ci s-a ajuns ca, in primavara anului 1999, sa fie considerata o situatie de criza umanitara. Si asta nu pentru ca Romania nu ar fi beneficiat de intelegere si de ajutor din partea comunitatii internationale, ci pur si simplu pentru ca nu a fost capabila sa solutioneze o problema pentru care a primit asistenta - morala, financiara si in experti - a comunitatii internationale.
Trebuie sa fie foarte clar pentru toata lumea, problema nu se poate rezolva numai cu promisiunile pe care Romania le face de 10 ani si nici macar nu este suficient sa recunoastem ca exista aceasta problema. Important este ce facem mai departe, important este modul in care actionam, importanta este angajarea! Asa cum se spune la nivelurile inalte de putere, pentru toate acestea este nevoie, in primul rind, de vointa politica din partea autoritatilor romane, altfel nu se vor obtine rezultatele pe care le asteapta o lume intreaga si, mai ales, Romania. Reforma sistemului nu se poate face daca nu exista capacitatea de a lua masurile si deciziile necesare, daca nu se pun la punct mecanismele de punere in practica a reformei, daca nu se respecta rigoarea unui mecanism bugetar functional. Romania sufera de sindromul copiilor institutionalizati si de 10 ani nu se poate hotari sa aplice un "tratament" - care, de fapt, nici macar nu este atit de dureros -, ceea ce ne-a costat: imaginea pe plan international a Romaniei a suferit o noua grava deteriorare cind inceperea negocierilor de aderare la UE a fost conditionata de rezolvarea acestei probleme, conditie pusa ca un criteriu politic de respectare a drepturilor omului!La Parlamentul European de la Bruxelles a avut loc marti prima audiere publica - organizata la initiativa acestuia - in cadrul careia a fost dezbatuta problema copiilor institutionalizati. De ce? Pentru ca, in urma cu ceva timp, o organizatie non-guvernamentala franceza, condusa de Francois de Combret, care a fost parte a programului de asistenta in aceasta problema, a facut o sesizare prin care acuza Comisia Europeana de a fi asigurat un foarte prost management al problemei si al fondurilor alocate Romaniei.Sedinta a fost deschisa de Nicole Fontaine - presedintele Parlamentului European -, care, in discursul sau, a vorbit despre ceea ce s-a facut in Romania din 1990, despre faptul ca PE intelege problemele foarte grele cu care se confrunta Romania, dar ca eforturile ce au fost facute pina acum nu au fost la nivelul nevoilor din tara. In ce priveste problema copiilor institutionalizati, Nicole Fontaine a atras atentia asupra faptului ca Romania trebuie sa aiba capacitatea de a-i proteja pe cei slabi, "conditie indispendabila pentru a asigura coeziunea sociala si solidaritatea pe care se bazeaza constructia Europei" si si-a exprimat speranta ca nou-infiintata Agentie Nationala pentru Protectia Copilului va putea gasi solutia si va putea deci fi performanta. PE este institutia europeana care, in 1991, a deschis o linie bugetara - din bugetul UE - pentru copiii din Romania, tocmai pentru a sprijini reformele structurale - esentiale, de altfel - ce trebuie facute in sistem. Pentru a sublinia sprijinul si deschiderea PE, doamna Fontaine a spus ca "PE a insistat mereu ca Romania sa aiba locul pe care il merita in procesul de extindere" si mai departe, "de a avea locul in Uniunea Europeana de miine, in sinul marii familii europene careia ii apartine" si, in incheiere, pentru a da masura si importanta atasate acestei probleme a copiilor l-a citat pe Albert Einstein: "Cuvintul progres nu are nici un sens cit timp exista copii nefericiti".A venit apoi rindul Romaniei, care a deplasat la Bruxelles o puternica delegatie parlamentara si guvernamentala compusa din Mariana Stoica, copresedinte al Comitetului Parlamentar permanent UE-Romania, si Andrei Marga - ministrul roman al educatiei nationale, Vlad Romano - presedintele Agentiei Nationale pentru Protectia Drepturilor Copilului, insotiti de citiva reprezentanti ai organizatiilor non-guvernamentale precum: Olivier Braunsteffer - secretar general al Asociatiei SERA si Gabriela Alexandrescu - presedintele Asociatiei "Salvati Copiii". S-a vorbit despre problemele cu care se confrunta Romania, s-a vorbit despre cum a fost gestionata problema copiilor, despre eforturile, realizarile din acest domeniu, despre reforma, despre o foarte bine primita crestere cu 26% a bugetului alocat acestei probleme pe anul 2000, despre importanta prevenirii abandonurilor, despre importanta unei familii pentru orice copil si despre sprijinirea familiilor aflate in dificultate, despre integrarea acestor copii in societate. Dar s-a subiliat, de toate partile, in mod special ca fiind o problema foarte grava, cea a sistemului adoptiilor din Romania, care, se pare, nu respecta Conventia de la Haga semnata de tara noastra, sesizindu-se o implicare a unor organizatii de tip mafiot in aceasta problema. Romaniei i s-a atras din nou atentia ca programele PHARE nu reprezinta o politica de asistenta umanitara, "ci un mod de a ajuta tarile candidate sa isi asume pe deplin responsabilitatile ce le revin si, in aceeasi masura, sa se bucure de toate drepturile cind vor deveni membre UE". Domnul Eneko Landaburu, director general in cadrul Comisiei Europene, a spus, pe un ton foarte ferm - dupa interventiile membrilor delegatiei romane -, ca Romania nu va primi fondurile PHARE si nici cele 25 milioane de euro alocate inca din luna iulie - si inca neacordate - daca nu exista garantii clare din partea Guvernului ca programele vor fi implementate. Prin vocea domnului Landaburu, Comisia Europeana a cerut de asemenea trei lucruri: controlul asistentei umanitare acordate; un audit al institutiilor pentru a se vedea starea exacta a lucrurilor; sprijinirea Agentiei pentru o politica de prevenire a abandonurilor, de sustinere a familiilor in dificultate etc., subliniindu-se in acest context importanta existentei unui sistem de supraveghere si monitorizare a programelor implementate si a unui program plurianual cuantificat pentru verificarea cu usurinta a progreselor facute. S-a reafirmat dorinta si deschiderea Comisiei Europene de a discuta si de a sustine intreg acest proces de reforma, dindu-se asigurari ca exista resurse financiare disponibile.Cum era firesc, partea romana a prezentat situatia actuala in domeniu, vorbind despre eforturile si problemele cu care se confrunta si despre nevoia de a fi sprijinita pe acest drum. Domnul ministru Andrei Marga a afirmat angajarea Guvernului roman, in capacitatea sa executiva, de a supraveghea indeaproape evolutia situatiei si de a folosi in cel mai constructiv spirit in actiunile asumate sugestiile primite. Asteptat cu foarte mare interes a fost discursul domnului Vlad Romano, presedintele Agentiei Nationale pentru Protectia Drepturilor Copilului - organizatie infiintata la cererea Comisiei Europene -, acesta fiind forul care va trebui sa gaseasca solutiile cele mai bune de rezolvare a situatiei si creditat ca atare. Dar, surpriza! In loc sa auzim un discurs ferm si clar si sa beneficiem de o prezentare concisa si la obiect a Strategiei guvernamentale privind protectia drepturilor copilului in perioada 2000 - 2003, am asistat la o prestatie lamentabila, plicticoasa si lipsita de substanta. Nimeni nu il poate acuza pe domnul Romano ca nu a facut o introducere in care a adresat multumiri multe, multe, ca nu a repetat ce se mai spusese, ca nu a prezentat strategia pe puncte (strategie care este foarte buna, si care, cu mici modificari facute pentru a sublinia anumite aspecte, poate fi folosita pentru a obtine implicarea marilor donori) chiar, ca nu s-a referit la buget si la legislatie, insa domnia sa a fost coplesit de cite avea sa spuna, iar tonul, ma scuzati de expresie, "ca la un sprit", cu care a vorbit un interval de timp apreciabil, vi-l ilustrez printr-un citat care cred ca este elocvent: "In ceea ce urmeaza sa spun, voi incerca sa aduc cit mai multe detalii clare a lucrurilor... s-ar putea insa, avind atit de multe de spus, la un moment dat, sa nu reusesc sa fac asta si am sa va rog sa ma trageti de mineca si sa-mi cereti explicatii cind gasiti ca un lucru nu l-am explicat suficient de bine". Asta da, deschidere! Domnul Romano a spus ca problemele nu se vor rezolva in mod miraculos peste noapte si ca reformele vor cere timp, pentru ca, loc este: "Ma tem ca este mult loc pentru a imbunatati managementul la nivel local, in mod special managenemntul financiar", a declarat domnia sa vrind, probabil, sa sublinieze ca nu s-a facut prea mare lucru pina acum. Presedintele Romano s-a referit, de asemenea, la programele de interes national care sint programe de reforma a institutiilor si de sprijinire a alternativelor pentru aceste institutii. Ar fi de mentionat un aspect la care s-a referit domnul Romano "ridicarea gradului de constientizare - am ezitat pentru ca nu am vrut sa jignesc - a societatii romanesti". Oare in momentul in care imaginea Romaniei este confundata cu cea a copiilor din orfelinate, cind toate televiziunile din lume au prezentat imagini terifiante din caminele de orfani, cind suntem conditionati de rezolvarea acestei probleme pentru a putea intra acolo unde ne este locul, se mai poate vorbi de o ridicare a gradului de constientizare? Oare putem cere societatii romanesti, spunind ca exista resurse, "... sa isi asume (problema) nu numai ca fiind si ca existind, ci sa-si asume alaturi de Guvern finantarea acestei probleme", cind peste 8 milioane de locuitori ai Romaniei traiesc sub limita pragului de saracie? Sigur ca da, dar trebuie tinut cont de faptul ca organizatiile non-guvernamentale, indispensabile in astfel de situatii, nu au suficienta putere sa faca acest lucru, ca nu au instrumentele necesare pentru a face ceea ce si-ar dori ! Si mai e ceva: au organismele de resort suficienta credibilitate in Romania pentru ca, sa spunem, un donator individual sa poata fi sigur ca banii nu ajung in alta parte, dupa atitea scandaluri privind neregularitatile in managementul financiar, la care insusi domnul Romano s-a referit?!Fotografii-scandal in Parlamentul EuropeiCea mai mare si neplacuta surpriza insa a audierilor de marti a oferit-o domnul Olivier Braunsteffer, secretarul general al Asociatiei SERA, care, in afara de expunerea situatiei - "Dupa 10 ani, situatia nu s-a schimbat fundamental,... exista orfelinate in care conditiile sint abominabile,... in care rata mortalitatii este nepermis de mare" - a prezentat "niste fotografii facute vinerea tercuta, nu pentru a propaga conditiile mizerabile pe care le-am putut constata si nici sa discreditam reprezentantii romani...", Fotografiile sunt, dupa cum ati putut vedea, inspaimintatoare, iar reactia doamnei Mariana Stoica, cea care a condus delegatia romana, a fost cvasiinstantanee la vederea acestora, intrebind unde si cind au fost facute. Raspunsul a venit imediat: la Caminul -spital Babeni, judetul Vilcea. Insa lucrurile nu s-au terminat aici, pentru ca, inainte de expunerea concluziilor doamnei Thors, domana Mariana Stoica a cerut din nou cuvintul si a spus: "... ca urmare a convorbirii telefonice avute de unul dintre colegii mei, domnul secretar de stat la de justitie, cu Babeniul, doresc sa subliniez urmatorul fapt: nu a fost nici o comisie la Babeni, unde SERA lucreaza de un an, si acum o saptamina nu a fost nici un fel de vizita in acest camin. Este informatia verificata de organele noastre, inclusiv cele de frontiera, prin urmare, din acest punct de vedere noi va suntem recunoscatori si va invitam sa veniti oricind in Romania, in orice conditii si cu orice comisii doriti, pentru a vedea care este starea de fapt a copiilor din institutiile noastre". Oare ce a vrut SERA, in momentul in care a prezentat aceste fotografii? Oricum, dupa reactia reprezentantului SERA la raspunsul doamnei Stoica este clar ca nu s-a asteptat la verificarea imediata a informatiei de catre partea romana: nu a mai avut nici un argument sau poate ca nu a scos asul din mineca! Oricum, acest lucru schimba jocul, pentru ca daca autoritatile romane au dreptate inseamna ca cineva incearca sa dezinformeze. De ce?Episodul "fotografiilor de la Caminul-spital Babeni" ne pune din nou intr-o situatie care, prin repetabilitate, devine mai mult decit stinjenitoare pentru prestigiul Romaniei. Ele au fost aduse ca proba - inca una - pentru ceea ce inseamna infernul din institutiile care se ocupa de ingrijirea copiilor orfani din Romania. Cei care le-au adus - membrii asociatiei franceze SERA - au reputatia ca stiu despre ce este vorba, mai ales ca presiunea enorma pe care o exercita de citva timp incoace asupra institutiilor romanesti si europene de profil se mai bucura si de un argument care face ca jocul sa fie si mai interesant, dar si ciudat: directorul de programme al acestei institutii, in Romania, nu este altul decit dl Cristian Tabacaru, fost secretar de stat in Guvernul Romaniei, al carui nume a fost adesea evocat in legatura cu multe dintre insucccesele notorii in managementul fondurilor alocate de comunitatea europeana in favoarea copiilor institutionalizati din tara noastra. Daca aceste fotografii sint reale, in sensul ca, asa cum s-a afirmat, au fost realizate doar cu citeva zile in urma, atunci situatia este foarte grava: inseamna ca, dincolo de vorbe frumoase nimeni nu a facut nimic pentru imbunatatirea situatiei, iar cei responsabili ar trebui sa dea socoteala.Dar daca, asa cum a afirmat doamna Mariana Stoica in cadrul audierilor de la Parlamentul European (dupa ce, timp de citeva ore, a fost in contact telefonic cu autoritatile de la Bucuresti), fotografiile sint mai vechi, atunci ne aflam in fata unei campanii de dezinformare grave care aduce atingere intereselor politice ale statului roman. Iar o asemenea actiune trebuie pedepsita ferm, clar, ca atare. Adresez, pe aceasta cale, un apel autoritatilor romane competente pentru a lamuri misterul "fotografiilor de la Babeni" si a le face publice. In acelasi timp, adresez si colegilor din presa romana un apel, rugindu-i sa reactioneze, stiind foarte bine care sunt, pe termen scurt, dar si intr-o perspectiva mai indelungata, efectele mai mult decit nocive ale implantarii unei asemenea imagini la nivelul opiniei publice mondiale.Cred ca, in sfirsit, Romania, macar pe acest subiect, ar trebui sa contraatace. (Cristian Unteanu, Diana Andrei - Bruxelles