PATRIOT NATO has announced its decision to support a
group of member countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain
for the purchase of up to 1,000 anti-aircraft Patriot missiles. According to
NATO, the European production will be increased to cover the growing demand being
also aimed at strengthening the European Sky Shield. The contract stands at 5.5
billion dollars and the cost of each Patriot missile is around 4 million
dollars. The contract also covers the maintenance of the Patriot defence
systems. NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg has underlined that raising the ammunition
production is essential for the security of the allied countries and Ukraine.
AGREEMENT An individual’s period of work and their rights to pension
have mutually been recognized by Romania and the United States, after the law
ratifying the agreement on the issue was promulgated by Romanian president
Klaus Iohannis. Under the new agreement, the periods of work both in Romania
and the United States will be taken into consideration in the process of calculating
individual pensions. The document also provides for the export of pensions, a
major facility regarding the mobility of pensioners in the two countries and
maintaining their access to the pension rights under payment. The draft also
includes provisions for the posted workers who have been exempted from paying
social securities in the country they have been sent to work.
SPORT Romania’s handball selection is today playing Switzerland in
an away friendly part of the Yellow Cup. On Friday, Romania takes on Argentina
and will be up against Bosnia on Saturday. For Romania, presently coached by
famous Xavi Pasqual, Yellow Cup is the last test before the European
Championship – EHF EURO 2024 due in Germany over January 10th and 28th.
Romania is part of Group B together with Spain, Austria and Croatia. The first
two sides are qualified for the so-called main groups. A quadruple world
champion, Romania has not qualified for a European Championship since
1996.
NATO Secretary
General, Jens Stoltenberg will convene a meeting between high NATO diplomats
and officials from Ukraine on January 10, the military alliance has announced,
Reuters reports. The meeting is to be held in the newly-created format
NATO-Ukraine and will take place upon Kyiv’s request in the wake of the the
latest rocket and drone attacks against civilians and localities from Ukraine,
a NATO spokesman has announced. Russia stepped up its attacks around the New
Year’s Eve, after President Putin had cautioned that Ukraine’s air raid over
the Russian city of Belgorod, which Moscow claims that it killed 25 civilians,
would not go unpunished.
WEATHER The weather in Romania is warmer for
this time of the year, with temperatures higher than usual. The highs of the
day are ranging between 6 and 15 degrees Centigrade with a noon reading in
Bucharest of 15 degrees.
(bill)