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  • Herculane SPA in south-western Romania

    Herculane SPA in south-western Romania

    We’re heading to south-western Romania, today. Our stopover is one of Europe’s oldest balneal resorts. In Herculane Spa, Baile Herculane, in Romanian, we can find a wide range of treatment procedures based on the healing properties of the waters. Also, the resort can very well be the departure point for other fascinating tourist assets nearby. Not the least, in 2025, an event will be staged in Baile Herculane, with the participation of all Europe’s major balneal resorts, ‘The General Assembly of Europe’s Historical Thermal Cities Association’”.

    Herculane is a spa with an impressive history. It was first documented in the year 153 AD. In the meantime, the spa has gathered quite a few legends and tales that today make Herculane Spa a cultural destination in its own right, and not just a destination with a breath-taking scenery. With details on that, here is the PR Manager of the Pro Tourism Herculane Association, Laura Patru:

    “The spa saw its heyday in two major eras. The Roman period of time was the such first era. And that, because it played host to a large number of Rome’s noblemen of that time. To this day, in Herculane, we have preserved archaeological evidence of that particular era. The Roman hallmark is still visible in Herculane. The second era was the Austrian one. Ever since, all its buildings still stand, which we consider iconic for the resort, they were built in the Romantic style, and that earned the spa its fame, a reason why it was known as the Pearl of Europe.”

    All that and the cure factors contributed to Herculane Spa’s renown. Actually, the waters’ healing properties are mentioned in the legends:

    „Hercules, while he was performing his labours, or at least that’s what the local legend says, being completely exhausted, bathed in the Herculane thermal springs. So he regained his strength and that helped him to carry his labours through. And here we are, today, still using those thermal springs so we can regain our strength and restore our health. Herculane benefits from more than 17 thermal springs, each of them with their own properties. So we have water for the external cure, which we use to cure rheumatic and skin conditions.

    It is a factor helping us a lot to treat post-traumatic, physical conditions. Yet we also have springs for internal cure, like those used in the treatment of stomach conditions. We also have external cure for eye conditions, yet all that is, of course, supported by the modern technology, which is available in the treatment centres across the resort and which helps us do everything much more efficiently. Also, here the air has a strong negative ions concentration.

    Even though, in Herculane, we are less than 160 meters above sea level, the body feels the air just like in the Swiss Alps. It is very strong, while all these elements put together help us create, for all our guests in the resort, a new state of well-being. “

    Fortunately, in recent years, Herculane SPA has enjoyed the significant contribution of several investors. Quite a few of the resort’s iconic hotels have been completely refurbished, revamped and brought to modern standards. Therefore, tourists who reach the resort enjoy accommodation and treatment services at European level. With details on that, here is here is the PR Manager of the Pro Tourism Herculane Association, Laura Patru:

    “Today we blend balneal culture into the SPA-type facilities, as people discover, more and more often, how important prevention is. We do not only follow a treatment facility at the time when our condition is unbearable, we come to have our treatment well in advance, we make prevention. Then, the SPA culture, at European level but also with us, is more and more sought-after.

    People are stressed out because of their jobs, they need to relax, to enjoy natural factors, while Herculane has all the facilities for that, both through its big hotels, built there from the beginning, and through the natural factors, added to which are these additional spa services. They create a complete product, tailored for the entire family. “

    Romanian tourists will come to pursue a treatment plan with a referral from their family doctor. For the foreign ones, it is recommended to have a medical referral from their countries of origin proving they are eligible for treatment in Herculane. Furthermore, everybody benefits from a medical check-up from the treatment facility’s balneology specialist. physician. It is recommended for the stays including a balneal cure to have a minimum of five days so the balneal effects can be felt, enabling us to have enough time to take trips to the surroundings.

    “The offer of the region is very generous, to that end. Herculane now has, for the horse lovers, an equestrian centre. At a mere half an hours’ drive we have the spectacular scenery of the Danube Gorges, where you can have boat rides and where you can see Decebalus’s face carved in stone. It is Europe’s greatest rock-carved sculpture. Also close by you can have the Iron Gates Museum, while I’m dead positive guests can find out a lot of impressive things, all the more so as there also is a section dedicated to the Ada Kaleh submerged island.

    Also close by, tourists can visit the water mills in Rudaria, included on the UNESCO heritage list. It is a group of mills whose working principle is the same as 300 years ago, and where the locals bring their grains. The place is close to nature and to traditions. Also at a short distance from Herculane, for those who are into doing a little bit of physical exercise, there are the Inelet hamlets. It is a village you can reach only by climbing wooden stairs fixed in stone. Yet once you get there, the scenery is absolutely breath-taking, and life there is preserved just like 100 years ago. Technology has not reached the place, just as it reached other places, and it is a true experience. “

    The landscape in Herculane provides a wonderful background for the winter holidays and the resort is packed with tourists, each year, for the winter holidays. Here is the PR Manager of the Pro Tourism Herculane Association, Laura Pătru, once again, this time extending an invitation for the end of the year.

    “There are, in the spa, packages for the December 1st holiday, Christmas or the New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve packages have three- or four-day stays on offer, while the big hotels, but also the smaller units go at all lengths to bring to their guests everything they want. You can find live music, yummy dishes in the hotels where the service is more complex, programs for the little ones, or the New Year’s Eve Party for children. As for Christmas, it is as traditional as it can be, as, if they come to us, we want our guests to mirror themselves in the magic of childhood. We are, of course, being visited by Santa each year, while the little ones have a lot of activities and workshops that can make their holiday more beautiful, as well as facilities especially dedicated for them. We have swimming pools for children, salt mines, so winter in Herculane is a mix of tradition and relaxation.”

    So here we are, this week, with a family destination, a destination for all seasons! ,

  • April 12, 2023 UPDATE

    April 12, 2023 UPDATE

    Ordinance – The public expenditure reform bill should be ready next week, the Romanian Finance Minister Adrian Câciu announced. Until then, the Government members will present solutions to reduce expenses in their areas of responsibility. The Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă asked them not to plan salary cuts or give up investments. He also said that he wanted to improve the collection of taxes, not to increase taxes. All in all, the cuts should amount to 20 billion lei – approximately 4 billion Euros – by the end of the year. On Wednesday, the Romanian government approved an emergency decree that provides for simplification and digitalization measures for the management of European funds for the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy. Also on Wednesday, the program through which the Romanian state financially supports the refugees from Ukraine was modified: from now on they will receive an amount of money per person, for four consecutive months. After this period, they will be able to benefit from unemployment or enter the employment program, but before that, they must register with the employment offices. Those who host the refugees will no longer receive money for accommodation and food, as was the case until now.



    Aid – The Romanian government will grant a first installment of the financial aid intended to compensate for the losses caused by the conflict in Ukraine to cattle breeders and the dairy market. More than 21 million Euros will be granted starting on May 15, with a second tranche, worth 22 million Euros, to be disbursed in the second semester. Following Tuesday evening’s consultations between the government team led by the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and the representatives of dairy processors and big store chains, a price reduction for milk was agreed upon for the next six months. Also to support the consumption of milk produced in Romania, the Government wants to expand the “Hot Lunch in Schools” Program starting next year. Thus, pupils will receive milk every day at school, not just three times a week, as happens at present.



    Visit – The European Commission has identified 15 companies, from 11 countries, where the production capacity in the defense industry could be increased, and Romania is one of these countries, said the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton. On Wednesday, he visited two factories in Romanias defense industry. Breton previously met in Bucharest with the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, and, following talks, he stated that Romania would be able to play an even more important role in the defense industry, in the context of the war in neighboring Ukraine. Breton highlighted the fact that Romania increased the budget allocated to defense from 2% to 2.5% of the GDP, giving Romania as an example to follow. The discussions with Nicolae Ciucă also focused on cyber security, the European commissioner saying that the field should be competitive.



    Gymnastics — Romania’s mens team ranked 11th, on Tuesday, at the European Championships in Artistic Gymnastics in Antalya (Turkey), thus qualifying for the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. The Romanian athletes needed to be ranked among the first 13 teams to obtain qualification for the World Cup, a competition that will decide the teams that will participate in the 2024 Olympics. Italy won the gold medals, the silver went to Turkey, and Great Britain got the bronze.



    Motion — In Bucharest, Save Romania Union – USR and ‘Forţa Dreptei’ – Force of the Right party (both opposition) tabled a simple motion to the Chamber of Deputies against the Agriculture Minister, Petre Daea. The signatories claim that he is the weakest agriculture minister in the last 30 years, registering failure after failure and endangering both Romanias economy and development, as well as the countrys food security. They accuse him of willingly destroying Romanian agriculture. This is what people can see in the markets where the prices are the highest in the last 30 years, said the leader of the USR deputies, Ionuţ Moşteanu, who announced the initiative. The motion will be voted on next Wednesday.



    NATO – The Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr and the Chief of the General Staff General Daniel Petrescu, met on Wednesday with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Robert Bauer. He is visiting Romania from April 11 to 14. According to a press release from the Romanian Defense Ministry, talks will focus on the security situation in the Black Sea region, the dynamics of the implementation of allied measures to deter and defend the Euro-Atlantic area, NATO operations and missions, as well as major training events this year. (LS)

  • Romania has higher inflation rate

    Romania has higher inflation rate

    In November 2022, Romania’s inflation rate stood at
    16.8% exceeding the forecast announced by the Central Bank governor, Mugur
    Isarescu, of 16.3%. That has been the highest inflation rate in the past two
    decades. In 2002, Romania reported an annual inflation rate of 22.5% and from
    2005 until last year the country had only single-digit inflation rates.


    This alarming pace seemed to be
    slightly going down at the beginning of the year, but went up again last month
    as compared to January from 15.07 to 15.52% against the latest price hikes in food
    products and services. Figures released on Monday by the National Institute for
    Statistics prove that the prices of these products and services saw the highest
    increase in the first months of the year, but experts say this shouldn’t alter
    the forecast by the Central Bank (BNR) according to which the inflation rate will
    again return to single digits towards the end of the year.


    Food prices saw the most significant
    increase in February by roughly 3.4%, while services rose by 2.5%. At the same
    time, prices in non-food products slightly dropped by 0.5% on an average.


    Significant price hikes were registered last month in
    the category of fresh and canned vegetables, up by 6.35% followed by the fresh
    fruits with roughly 4.9% and services for making and mending clothes and
    footwear over 3.5%.


    Prices in fresh fish, cheese, personal hygiene and
    care products as well as other non-food products have grown between 2% and 3%.


    Prices in air transport services went down by more
    than 12%, whereas prices for cooking oil, electricity and heat by 1% on an
    average. According to the latest forecasts, prices were supposed to continue
    their downward trend, but experts said this process isn’t a linear one. The
    same tendency has been noticed in other EU countries as well where the
    inflation rate in February proved to be higher than a month before.


    According to experts, this process of keeping
    inflation at bay is likely to continue but will have its monthly ups and downs.
    In a Radio Romania interview, the financial expert and Central Bank advisor,
    Adrian Vasilescu, has confirmed this theory.


    In the meantime, the INS data show that Romania’s
    trade deficit in January stood at 2.338 billion euros, 203.6 million higher
    than in January 2022. The rise was partly caused by the growing inflation,
    which raised the imports value, but the main cause is the fact that the
    domestic output cannot cover the demand, not even in sectors with tradition,
    such as the agro-food industry, the chemical or the car-making sectors. Experts
    say that the authorities should step in and take action in order to prevent the
    situation from worsening.


    (bill)

  • February 8, 2023 UPDATE

    February 8, 2023 UPDATE

    EARTHQUAKE The massive earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday killed around
    12,000 people, according to the latest reports. Two-thirds of the total
    casualties are reported in Turkey. Tens of thousands of people were injured. In
    spite of the freezing cold, rescuers are struggling to find survivors. President Tayyip Erdogan declared
    disaster areas in the 10 provinces affected by the quakes, and introduced a
    3-month state of emergency. Seventy countries have so far provided support in
    the search and rescue operations. Romania joined the international aid efforts
    and sent nearly 120 search and
    rescue specialists, doctors and nurses, as well as search and rescue dogs.
    Many Romanian nationals have contacted the Embassy in Ankara to report the situation there, but few of them
    requested to be repatriated. Turkey is located in one of the world’s
    main seismic areas. In 1999, an
    earthquake occurring in Düzce, in the north of the country, killed over 17,000 people. As regards Syria, Romania is going to provide mostly humanitarian aid,
    following that country’s request to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.


    PATRIOT Romania has received a second Patriot system, out of the total
    four, that were contracted for the first stage of the country’s Air Force
    equipping programme. According to the defence minister Angel Tilvar, the four
    systems represent the first stage in achieving state-of-the-art ground-based
    air defence capability, which can be fully integrated into the NATO system.
    Patriot systems were first delivered to Romania in 2020, and 2023 is the year
    when the first stage of the equipping programme is to be fully completed,
    according to the Defence Ministry. The Patriot system is one of the most
    advanced air protection systems of the US military arsenal. It is a mobile
    system that usually includes a powerful radar, a control station, a power
    generator, launch stations and support vehicles.


    EU The European Council on Thursday will hold a summit in Brussels to
    discuss the war in Ukraine, the EU economy and migration. A video-conference
    chaired by the European Council President, Charles Michel, was held on Tuesday
    and was also attended by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who said talks
    focused on the support granted to Ukraine, consolidating the competitiveness of
    the EU economy and implementing concrete measures of combating illegal
    migration. Although Schengen enlargement is not officially on the agenda,
    President Iohannis might approach it informally in the plenary or during
    bilateral meetings with his counterparts.


    MOTION The Chamber of
    Deputies Wednesday dismissed the simple motion tabled by the opposition against
    the interior minister Lucian Bode. The document signatories accuse Bode of plagiarism
    and blame him for Romania’s failure to join the Schengen area. In Monday’s
    debates on the motion, Lucian Bode argued that the opposition’s claims were
    untrue and prompted by the forthcoming elections.This is the
    second failed motion against minister Bode, after the one in October.


    PROTESTS Members of the Sanitas Trade Union Federation Wednesday held
    protest rallies in Bucharest, for the 3rd consecutive day, picketing
    political party offices. Several hundred unionists from around the country
    protested against the Salaries Law and the under-financing of healthcare
    institutions and social assistance in Romania. The list of demands includes a
    minimum 15% pay raise. The unionists warned that unless the authorities meet
    their demands, further protests may be planned. (E.E., A.M.P.)

  • November 23, 2022 – UPDATE

    November 23, 2022 – UPDATE

    JUDICIARY The Romanian
    President Klaus Iohannis has hailed the conclusions of a European Commission report saying that the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism in Romania’s judicial
    sector would be lifted. A stage has
    ended, but further efforts must be made as reforms are vital, Iohannis said. In
    turn, PM Nicolae Ciuca said the European Commission’s report encourages the government
    to stay on the path of supporting the independence of the judiciary and the
    fight against corruption to the benefit of the Romanian society.


    VISIT The joint
    effort to support Ukraine and the strength of the Romanian-Latvian cooperation
    were highlighted in Riga by the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, in a joint
    press conference with his Latvian counterpart, Egils Levits. The Romanian
    official’s visit to Riga takes place in the context of the celebration of 100
    years of diplomatic relations between the 2 countries. The two presidents also
    discussed Romania’s Schengen accession. Klaus Iohannis emphasised that Romania
    has never been and will never be a country that allows uncontrolled migration
    through illegal border crossing. The president of Latvia highlighted the common
    approach of the two countries with respect to the future of the EU and welcomed
    Romania’s participation in the NATO air policing mission in the Baltic states
    in 2023. On Thursday, Klaus Iohannis will be on an official visit to Lithuania,
    in Vilnius, while on Friday he will take part, jointly with his counterparts
    from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, in a summit devoted to strengthening NATO’s
    eastern flank and to supporting Ukraine and the R. of Moldova.


    COOPERATION Romania and Spain are pleading for a more capable and
    responsible European Union, one which is able to provide support and play a
    relevant role in implementing the Strategic Compass, fully complementary to
    NATO and avoiding redundancies, including in the current security context,
    marked by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reads a joint statement
    signed on Wednesday in Castellón de
    la Plana, Spain, by the heads of the Romanian and Spanish governments. Bucharest and
    Madrid have also reiterated their commitment to a strong NATO, focusing on the
    full implementation of the Strategic Concept adopted in Madrid, with special
    emphasis on consolidating defence and deterrence on the eastern flank. The PM
    of Romania, Nicolae Ciucă, was received with military honours in Castellon de
    la Plana by the head of Spain’s government, Pedro Sanchez. According to Ciucă, bilateral relations are even stronger
    thanks to the nearly one-million strong, highly integrated and active Romanian
    community contributing to the development of Spain’s economy and society.


    NATO – A meeting of NATO
    foreign ministers will be held in Bucharest on November 29-30, 2022. The
    meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg.
    Attending will also be the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and
    Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the foreign ministers of Finland and Sweden.


    DRILL NATO troops
    Wednesday conducted a military exercise to test the air and missile defence in
    Romania, one week after a stray missile crashed in Poland and revealed
    weaknesses in the Alliance’s air shield, Reuters reports. The French air defence
    system deployed to Romania repelled a simulated attack by Allied fighter jets,
    NATO’s Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany said. Taking part in the
    exercise were Turkish F-16 fighter jets, Spanish Eurofighters, US growler
    aircraft designed for electronic warfare and French Rafale jets.


    FOOTBALL Japan produced the second big surprise of the Qatar football World
    Cup, after defeating 4-times Cup winners Germany 2-1, on Wednesday in Group
    E. Also on Wednesday, world vice-champions Croatia drew against Morocco,
    0-0, in Group F. Another former world champion, Spain, takes on Costa Rica, and
    Belgium plays against Canada. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia stunned football fans
    with one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup, defeating
    2-times champions Argentina 2-1. Also on Tuesday, the defending champions, France,
    defeated Australia 4-1, while Denmark and Poland drew against Tunisia and
    Mexico, respectively, 0 – 0. (AMP)

  • October 13, 2022 UPDATE

    October 13, 2022 UPDATE

    AIR DEFENCE Germany and 14 other NATO member states, Romania
    included, Thursday agreed on a common initiative regarding the acquisition of
    air and missile defence systems, after the war in Ukraine exposed weaknesses in
    this respect. The initiative, spearheaded by Germany, is called European Sky
    Shield, and the 15 NATO signatories intend to procure, in a first stage, medium-range
    defence systems such as the US-manufactured Patriot, already used by several
    NATO countries, including Romania. In a subsequent stage, they may purchase the
    Israeli-American Arrow 3 system, able to intercept and destroy longer-range
    threats. The initiative comes as the war in Ukraine shows that NATO states
    themselves need more equipment to secure their air space. Apart from Germany
    and Romania, the countries that signed the initiative are Belgium, Bulgaria,
    Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway,
    Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.


    ELECTRICITY The Republic of Moldova will be able to import 100 MW of
    electricity from Romania as of Friday, the Romanian energy minister Virgil
    Popescu announced. The president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, thanked Romania, after
    Ukraine was forced to suspend electricity deliveries following Russia’s strikes
    on its energy infrastructure earlier this week. In related news, Romania will
    transfer over EUR 25 mln for Moldova to start implementing projects in
    strategic sectors like education and public utilities. The funds are part of a
    EUR 100 mln non-reimbursable aid package stipulated in a bilateral technical
    and financial assistance agreement.


    REFUGEES The
    number of Ukrainian refugees coming to Romania from Western Europe is on the
    rise, the International Organization for Migration reports. Lower living costs
    and proximity to Ukraine are some of the reasons, the report also states.
    According to the Romanian Border Police, some 70,000 people entered Romania on
    Wednesday, of whom 9,000 were Ukrainian nationals, accounting for a 15%
    increase compared to the previous day. Over 2.5 million Ukrainians have entered
    Romania since February 10.


    SCHENGEN In principle, the Netherlands does not oppose Romania’s
    Schengen accession, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Wednesday
    during a visit to Brașov, central Romania. The Dutch official pointed out,
    however, that any discussion on this matter will factor in Romania’s fulfilment
    of all accession criteria. President Klaus Iohannis expressed confidence Romania
    will join the travel-free area, whereas Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă in turn
    said that Schengen accession will spell numerous benefits for Romania’s
    economy.


    UKRAINE Romania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu,
    hailed the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s illegal
    annexation of Ukrainian territories. 143 UN members voted in favour, including
    Romania. Meanwhile, Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine on Thursday. Drone
    strikes targeted critical infrastructure in Kyiv, while the city of Mykolaiv
    was hit by shelling, authorities say. In recent weeks Ukraine has been the
    target of air strikes carried out by Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones. Tehran
    denies having delivered such drones to Russia, while Moscow refused to comment.
    The Kremlin has also intensified its attacks on civilian targets in response to
    the Crimea bridge attack, which Moscow claims is the work of Ukrainian
    intelligence. Described as war crimes by a number of Western countries, the
    shelling continues despite significant losses sustained by the Russian army.
    Bombing focused particularly on residential areas and civilian infrastructure,
    damaging 30% of the country’s energy infrastructure. In Brussels, over 50
    countries promised to provide military assistance to Ukraine, including air defence
    systems. (V.P, A.M.P.)

  • August 4, 2022 UPDATE

    August 4, 2022 UPDATE


    INTEREST The 3-month ROBOR index, based on which the cost of consumer loans in lei with variable interest is calculated in Romania, rose on Thursday from 8.05% to 8.11% per annum, the highest level in the last 12 years. In early 2022, the index was 3% per year. Rates on mortgage loans and “First house” loans have increased by 50% since the beginning of the year and almost doubled as compared to a few years ago. IRCC, the reference index for consumer loans, is 2.65% p.a., up from 1.86% three months ago. In the last three months, more than 10,000 beneficiaries of the “First house” programme have requested to switch from ROBOR to IRCC for calculating loan interests.



    AIR FORCES As of August 4, the Canadian Royal Air Force is conducting an air policing mission in Romania. According to the defence ministry, a unit of 180 troops and 6 CF-188 Hornet aircraft, will operate under NATO command in the next 4 months, jointly with Romanian Air Force units, while another 2 aircraft will take part in drills organised jointly with NATO allies. This is the 6th rotation of Canadian troops at Romanias Mihail Kogălniceanu air base since 2017. Canadian forces were also deployed in Câmpia Turzii in central Romania in 2014. The presence of the CF-188 Hornet aircraft in Romania is part of the action plan for ensuring NATO operational capability in the eastern flank, and proves the Alliances unity and determination in response to recent security challenges, the Romanian defence ministry said.



    COVID-19 Three military hospitals in Romania have reopened wards for treating COVID patients. In Sibiu (centre), patients have five beds available, with another five available in Cluj Napoca (north-west). The Emergency Military Clinical Hospital in Timisoara (west) also reopened the Modular Medical Isolation and Treatment System, where patients have already been admitted. More than 4,000 people infected with coronavirus are currently hospitalised in Romania, and the number of those in Intensive Care is around 300. On Thursday, more than 8,600 new infections with SARS-COV-2 were announced in 24 hours. The authorities also reported 27 deaths.



    TAIWAN The Chinese army Thursday fired missiles towards the Taiwan Strait, shortly after the start of military drills around the island, France Presse and Reuters reported. China initiated large-scale live-fire drills around Taiwan in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taipei. Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in the last 25 years. She assured Taipei of the USs commitment to supporting the democracy of the self-governed island claimed by Beijing. Taiwan has condemned the Chinese drills.



    UNTOLD Cluj-Napoca, in north-western Romania, is hosting until August 7 the UNTOLD electronica festival, currently at its 7th edition. For the opening night on Thursday, the organisers have brought to Romania, for the first time ever, a unique show by the German DJ and producer duo Claptone and 100 dancers and animators. The crowd will be welcomed by fantastic characters, international acrobats, animators, cheerleaders, dancers from Romania, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany and Ukraine, with parades, fireworks and laser shows. UNTOLD takes place in several locations, with the main stage placed in the Cluj Arena. The line-up includes the worlds best DJs, and the organisers expect nearly 400,000 people to attend. UNTOLD is one of the largest music festivals in the world. (AMP)

  • July 28, 2022 UPDATE

    July 28, 2022 UPDATE

    UKRAINE The Romanian foreign ministry firmly criticised the move of
    the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, who posted
    on social media a map assigning current Ukrainian territories to Romania and
    other neighbouring countries. The foreign ministry regards such attitudes as
    part of the Russian Federation’s propaganda and disinformation campaign, which
    has intensified since the start of the illegal and illegitimate war against
    Ukraine. Such ‘proposals’ and ‘analyses’ concerning the random resetting of
    national borders and promoting violations of international laws are just failed
    attempts to justify Russia’s breaches of the international order based on
    rules. The institution reiterates Romania’s full support for the independence,
    sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally
    recognised borders, and once again condemns Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked
    military aggression against that country. Romania is and will remain a partner
    of Ukraine and reconfirms its full support and deep compassion for the
    Ukrainian people, the victim of a brutal aggression, the institution’s news release
    also reads.


    FUNDS The prime minister Nicolae Ciucă has said Romania’s absorption
    rate of European funds as part of the 2014-2020 financial exercise stands at
    64.5%, a level similar to that of Germany and only slightly lower than France,
    but ahead of older member states like Belgium (59%) and Italy, Spain and The
    Netherlands (each with a little over 56%). According to Ciucă, Romania absorbed
    22 billion Euros out of the 35 billion it is allocated in the 2014-2020 period.


    DROUGHT Drought has so far affected 150,000 hectares of farmland in
    20 different counties across Romania, said the agriculture ministry, based on
    daily reports on the state of the crops. The irrigation systems are struggling
    to cope, owing to the drop in the level of the water used to feed the
    irrigation stations. The biggest such station, in Brăila county, in the
    south-east, was shut down because of the low Danube water flow. The station was
    providing water for 250,000 hectares of land in the region. The water flow of
    the river Prut, in the east, is also dropping, having already reached a record
    low level. Agriculture minister Petre Daea said the animal breeding sector is
    also affected by drought.


    WHISTLE-BLOWERS The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis Thursday sent
    back to Parliament for reconsideration the Law on the protection of whistle-blowers,
    stating that some of the legislative solutions must be revised. Previously, a coalition
    of 20 NGOs, civil associations and trade unions, as well as whistle-blowers,
    had sent an open letter to the president, urging him not to sign the bill into law.
    Civil society organisations argue that in the form passed in Parliament, the
    act reduces the protection mechanisms for whistle-blowers, and Romania risks
    infringement procedures for the selective transposition of the relevant EU
    Directive. Save Romania Union, in opposition, also called on Iohannis to send
    the law back for urgent reconsideration, stating that the current text
    dissuades corruption reporting and poses a major risk of Romania being left
    without the funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. In
    mid-July the Constitutional Court had dismissed USR party’s complaint
    concerning the law, as unconstitutional.


    DRILL Over 20 aircraft from 7 NATO member states Thursday took part
    in a joint drill as part of the enhanced Vigilance Activities – eVA headed by
    NATO AIRCOM based in Germany. According to the defence ministry, the goal of
    the exercise is to prove NATO’s capacity to plan, coordinate and execute a
    complex air space security mission in the event of any type of attack or threat
    on Allied territory. In response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, NATO significantly
    enhanced its defence and deterrence capability, including by means of
    strengthening its presence on its eastern flank. (AMP)

  • July 20, 2022

    July 20, 2022

    WEATHER Romanian authorities have issued an amber heat alert valid today
    in 12 counties in the west of the country, and amber and orange alerts covering
    more than three-quarters of the country for the period July 22 – 24. As of
    Thursday, the extreme heat wave will cover most of the country, with the
    temperature-humidity index (THI) exceeding 80. Highs will generally range from
    35 to 37 degrees Celsius, with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius
    expected on Friday and Saturday in the west, north-west and south-west.


    NATO The Senate, as the decision-making chamber in the
    Parliament of Romania, convenes today in a special meeting to ratify the NATO
    Accession Protocols of Finland and Sweden. Previously,
    the Chamber of Deputies had endorsed the
    bill ratifying the protocols. The documents were signed on July 5 in Brussels. Finland’s and Sweden’s decision to
    join the North-Atlantic Alliance comes amid security concerns related to
    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.


    HOLIDAY Every year on July 20 Romania
    celebrates Aviation and Air Forces Day, which overlaps the religious holiday of St.
    Elijah, regarded as the patron saint of pilots. In Bucharest, a military ceremony is held
    today, which brings together over 20 military aircraft of the Romanian, British
    and Italian Air Forces, Interior Ministry and Intelligence Service helicopters,
    a Tarom plane and 4 planes from the Romanian Air Club. Military aircraft will
    be flying over other cities across the country. The Romanian military aviation
    was established in 1910,
    when Aurel Vlaicu designed the first military aircraft.


    COVID In Romania, the National Public
    Health Institute announced that in the previous week 171 Omicron infections
    were confirmed in the country. All of these are SARS-CoV-2
    variants that cause concern. According to the institution, by July 17, as many
    as 6,611 Omicron infections had been reported. The number of COVID-19 cases
    continues to rise, and experts say the current wave is caused by an Omicron
    sub-variant of the coronavirus, which spreads a lot more quickly and is able to
    infiltrate the protection given by
    the current vaccines and previous infections.


    GOVERNMENT The government of Romania is
    scheduled to pass a bill today concerning the procurement of some of the
    most advanced electric trains, powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Only 3 countries
    in the EU are currently using or testing such trains. The Transport Ministry
    plans to purchase a total of 12 hydrogen electric trains. Also in the transport
    sector, the government intends to start expropriation procedures in order to
    widen the Bucharest South ring road. The Cabinet will also discuss the
    2022-2027 National Strategy on Research, Innovation and Smart Specialisation,
    which will create the framework for an efficient and effective spending of national
    funds. Two other documents are due to be reviewed today, a memorandum concerning
    talks with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development on non-reimbursable
    EU funding, and another memorandum endorsing the 2022-2024 strategy for
    governmental debt management.


    ANTI-SEMITISM The
    pandemic context, vaccination campaigns, public campaigns raising awareness on
    the rise in cases of anti-Semitism and the information on the history of the Holocaust
    are the main factors contributing to a strengthening of online and offline hate
    speech, reads the latest monitoring report issued by the ‘Elie Wiesel’ National
    Institute for Holocaust Research in Romania. According to the institution, vandalism
    cases, the praising of inter-war far-right figures and people convicted for war
    crimes or known for their extremist attitude, anti-Semitic messages in
    Parliament and minimising the memory of Holocaust victims remain common
    occurrences in Romania. Central authorities have reconfirmed their commitment
    to fight extremist actions by endorsing a National Strategy for preventing and
    fighting anti-Semitism, xenophobia, radicalisation and hate speech and by
    introducing Jewish and Holocaust history as a school subject, the report also
    says. However, the lack of awareness and responsibility among local authorities
    hinders the implementation of the principles upheld by the central authorities. (AMP)

  • May 24, 2022

    May 24, 2022

    MEASURES A new set of social and economic measures agreed on by the ruling
    coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party
    will take effect in Romania as of July 1. The measures include postponements of
    bank loan repayments for citizens and businesses struggling with financial
    problems, as well as support for low-income pensioners. The government will
    also take steps to ensure fiscal consolidation and public deficit commitments. The
    costs of this set of measures reach EUR 1.1 bln.


    POLL Six out of 10 Romanians (58%) believe cutting consumption is the
    easiest solution for the financial difficulties caused by the rising inflation,
    says a survey made public today. In April, the inflation rate reached a record
    13.8%, well above the National Bank’s 12.5% forecast for 2022. According to the
    survey, 67% of the respondents see the government of Romania as responsible for
    this inflation rate. Three-quarters of Romanians also believe inflation is
    higher in Romania than in other countries. The respondents say the most
    substantial price rises are witnessed for foodstuffs (77%), fuel (77%) and
    utilities (electricity and gas) – 70%. In this context, 58% say reducing
    consumption could solve the inflation problem, but pay raises are also
    considered as solutions, and so is emigration. The survey was conducted online,
    between April 20 and 26.


    IMF The International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina
    Georgieva said on Monday that while a recession of the world’s major economies
    is not expected, it is not out of the question either. The global economic
    prospects have worsened since the IMF’s downward adjustment of its 2022
    forecasts, owing to the war in Ukraine, the slow-down of China’s economy and
    the global price shocks, especially in the foodstuff sector. ‘In a short period
    of time…the horizon has darkened,’ Kristalina Georgieva said. In January, the
    IMF estimated that this year the global economy will grow by 4.4%, but last
    month the forecast was adjusted to 3.6%.


    NATO NATO fighter jets deployed to military bases in Romania carry on their
    missions to ensure the integrity of the Allied air space, the Romanian defence
    ministry said. In less than 6 months, Italian Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft
    stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu base in south-eastern Romania reported a
    combined 1,000 hours of flight in NATO missions protecting the Romanian air
    space. Air missions are paired with missions of the NATO Battlegroup set up in
    Romania in the wake of Russia’s invading neighbouring Ukraine.


    REFUGEES The number of Ukrainian nationals entering Romania on Monday was 2.4%
    smaller than on the previous day, reaching 7,709, the Romanian border police
    announced. Since the start of the crisis, more than one million refugees crossed
    the border into Romania. Meanwhile, new checkpoints will be opened on Romania’s
    border with Ukraine, allowing the Siret checkpoint, in the north-east, where
    trucks are currently waiting up to 14 hours to leave the country, to give
    priority to humanitarian assistance shipments. In a first stage, a checkpoint
    will be opened at Vicovu de Sus (north) for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, and
    another one at Racovăţ (north-east) for vehicles of up to 7 tonnes. Later on, a
    new checkpoint will also be operational in Ulma (north-east).


    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Ana Bogdan Ana Bogdan (93 WTA) was
    defeated on Monday by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (15 WTA), 6-7 (7-9), 7-6
    (7-1), 6-2, in the first round of the Roland Garros Grand Slam tournament. Irina
    Begu was also scheduled to play on Monday against Jasmine Paolini of Italy, but
    the match was suspended because of the rain in the 3rd set. On
    Tuesday 3 other Romanians, Simona Halep, Irina Bara and Mihaela Buzărnescu will
    play in the main draw. Sorana Cîrstea qualified in the second round on Sunday,
    while Gabriela Ruse lost her first round. Halep, seed no. 19, is a Roland
    Garros champion in 2018 and a finalist in 2014 and 2017. (AMP)

  • February 10, 2022 UPDATE

    February 10, 2022 UPDATE

    MILITARY President Klaus Iohannis and NATO’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg
    will visit the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base 57, the Romanian Presidency
    announced. The 2 officials will also discuss with the troops deployed to the
    military base and subsequently will have a joint press conference. Military
    equipment for the US Task Force (TF) Cougar has already reached Romania. TF
    Cougar will primarily consist of a
    Stryker squadron relocated from Germany to Romania to protect the region in the
    context of the Russia-Ukraine standoff. President Iohannis said
    after a visit to the Headquarters Multinational Brigade South-East on Thursday
    that the US and France deciding to strengthen their military presence in Romania
    is a ‘firm sign of the coherence and consistency of Euro-Atlantic solidarity’ and
    invited other Allied countries as well to consider contributing troops to the
    multinational structures in Romania.


    DRILLS Russia and Belarus Thursday began 10 days of military exercises near
    the border with Ukraine and Poland. According to the Russian defence ministry, the drills are aimed at the tasks of repelling
    external aggression while conducting a defensive operation, countering
    terrorism and protecting common interests.
    NATO is concerned that the Russian military build-up in Belarus is part of a
    plan to attack Ukraine. Moscow denies plans to invade Ukraine, and says it will
    pull out its troops from Belarus as soon as the drills are over. According to Radio
    Romania’s correspondent in Moscow, Russia relocated troops and equipment from
    as far as Siberia and the Far East, 10,000 km away, for the exercise in
    Belarus.


    GOVERNMENT The governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will hold their
    first joint meeting in Chişinău on Friday, with the Romanian PM Nicolae Ciucă scheduled
    to also have talks with president Maia Sandu and the Moldovan parliament
    speaker Igor Grosu. A joint action and solidarity plan for the energy sector
    will be put together within 6 months of signing a joint memorandum on energy
    security, which is scheduled for Friday, the Romanian government spokesman Dan
    Cărbunaru said. He added that a bill was passed on the mutual recognition of
    diplomas. Over 12,000 students and 2,000 pupils from Moldova are currently
    attending Romanian schools. The 2 governments are also to sign an agreement on
    Friday concerning the building, maintenance, repair and use of a cross-border
    bridge in Ungheni. Another agreement between the 2 states will concern roaming
    and international call tariffs.


    ECONOMY Romania’s economy went up by 6.3% in 2021, thanks to a
    sound domestic demand, but the pace will slow down to 4.2% this year, to reach
    4.5% in 2023, according to the winter economic forecast released by the
    European Commission on Thursday. Last autumn the EC estimated Romania’s GDP
    would grow by 7% in 2021, with rates of 5.1% and 5.2% forecast for 2022 and
    2023 respectively. The most recent data concerning confidence in the economy
    indicate positive, although moderated economic growth prospects, especially in services,
    retail, constructions and industry. Private consumption is also expected to
    recover in the second half of the year, when restrictions will be eased out and
    inflation will slow down. Meanwhile, the EC substantially adjusted its 2022
    inflation forecast for Romania, from 4% estimated in November to 5.3% this
    winter, after a 4.1% inflation rate in 2021.


    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Irina Begu Thursday managed a
    spectacular win against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-0, which
    secured her a place in the quarter-finals of the WTA 500 tournament in Sankt
    Petersburg, Russia. Another Romanian, Jaqueline Cristian, lost to Aleksandra
    Sasnovich of Belarus, 6-2, 6-3, and left the competition. (A.M.P.)

  • August 6, 2021

    August 6, 2021

    COVID-19 In Romania, the number of new SARS-CoV-2 infection cases remains high, over 200 per day. On Friday 230 new cases and 5 deaths were reported. Over 500 patients are hospitalized, 68 of them in intensive care. As regards the vaccine rollout, the number of fully vaccinated people went over 4.9 million on Thursday. According to a report by the National Public Health Institute, over 80% of the people diagnosed with the disease last week were not vaccinated. Data also indicates that over 85% of the COVID-related deaths were reported among unvaccinated or partly vaccinated patients. On Thursday, the government extended the state of alert by another 30 days.




    WILDFIRES Several European countries are responding to Greeces call for help under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. One of them is Romania, which is sending today over 100 fire-fighters and scores of fire engines. The hundreds of fires in Greece and Turkey have affected the air quality in the east of the Mediterranean, as smoke carrying fine particles has spread as far as to northern Africa. Adding to this is the high concentration of African dust over Greece, which also reduces air quality. The Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his country was experiencing an unprecedented environmental crisis. He added that if anyone still has the slightest doubt that climate change is real, they should come to Greece to see its severity first hand. Over 150 wildfires have been reported in Greece so far, and one of them is threatening Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, where the Olympic flame is lit in modern times.




    MOLDOVA In the R. of Moldovas capital city Chişinău, Parliament convenes today in a special session to vote on the new pro-European government. The prime minister designate, Natalia Gavriliţă, and the 13 members of her cabinet, presented a governing programme focused on the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, as well as on improving citizens living standards. The new government also aims to strengthen the strategic partnership with Romania, so as to ensure Moldovas EU accession. The vote is expected to be unproblematic, as the Action and Solidarity Party, which backs the new government, has 64 seats in Parliament, and only 51 votes are required for the cabinet to be endorsed. Natalia Gavrilița was designated for the PM post by president Maia Sandu, under a presidential order issued on July 30, after consultations with the parliamentary parties.




    NUCLEAR Romania and Canada Thursday signed a Memorandum of Agreement on strengthening cooperation in the civilian nuclear power field. The document was signed by Romanias minister for energy Virgil Popescu and Canada’s ambassador to Romania Annick Goulet. Attending the event, PM Florin Cîţu said the memorandum would consolidate bilateral cooperation in the field, as the Canadian partners would be involved in the Cernavoda nuclear power plant projects and in other civilian nuclear power ventures in Romania. The Canadian industry has exceptional experience in CANDU projects and has already completed CANDU upgrade and construction projects, the PM added, and voiced his satisfaction that Canadian partners are joining the US ones in developing the nuclear sector in Romania. In turn, Ambassador Annick Goulet emphasised that cooperation in the nuclear power field has been a vital element of the 55-year long relations between the 2 countries.




    FESTIVAL One of the most eagerly awaited summer festivals in Romania, Electric Castle, begins today and is scheduled to end on August 15. The opening gigs are taking place at Banffy Castle in Bonţida, and others will follow in the city of Cluj Napoca in the coming days. After a difficult period for festival goers, things are returning to normal. According to the organisers, hundreds of volunteers are helping in this years edition, as they did in previous years as well. Taking part in the 10-day event held in over 20 locations in Bonţida and Cluj are 250 artists from 23 countries.




    OLYMPICS The Romanian Cătălin Chirilă has today qualified into the semifinals of the 1,000m canoeing race in the Tokyo Olympics, after winning the first of the 5 qualifying series held at the Sea Forest Waterway base. The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday. Over the years, kayak and canoeing have brought Romania 34 Olympic medals. The last gold medal was won by Florin Popescu, currently the coach of Romanias Olympic canoeing team, and Mitică Pricop, 21 years ago in Sydney. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • July 2, 2021

    July 2, 2021

    COVID Over 340,000 Covid digital certificates were generated in the first 12 hours since the launch of the certificat-covid.gov.ro platform. As of 1 July, the Covid digital certificate is available for travellers in the EU. The document proves the owner has been vaccinated, has recovered or recently tested negative for the disease. Also as of 1 July, further relaxation measures are in place in Romania. The vaccine rollout continues, and a new batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccine is due to arrive in the country today. On Thursday some 19,000 people received their doses. Authorities urge citizens to get immunised and warn against a new wave of infections. Yesterday 31 new coronavirus infection cases were announced, out of some 26,000 tests, and 5 people died in the past 24 hours. A total of 430 Covid patients are currently in hospitals, 67 of them in intensive care.



    RESTRICTIONS In Romania, the National Committee for Emergency Situations Thursday updated the list of countries and regions with high epidemiological risks. Travellers coming into the country from regions with a combined rate of COVID-19 cases above 3 per thousand in the past 14 days must isolate for 14 days. The UK stays in the red zone, alongside 22 other territories, including exotic destinations like the Seychelles and Maldives. The 18 regions in the yellow zone include, among others, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Russia and Portugal. Countries with an infection rate below 1.5 per thousand are on the green list.



    LAW Criminal liability for human trafficking and exploitation, sexual assault, and torture in children is no longer subject to time limits in Romania, under a law signed on Thursday by president Klaus Iohannis. The act, which amends the Criminal Code, also increases punishments for failure to report a crime, while also criminalising the failure to report human trafficking and exploitation and sexual offences against child victims.



    MILITARY Romania and Germany signed on Thursday, in a ceremony at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base 57 on the Romanian Black Sea coast, a statement of intent concerning the development of bilateral relations in the field of aviation. In the presence of the air force chiefs of the 2 countries and of the UK, a demonstration was held showcasing the joint fulfilment of an enhanced air policing mission. Taking part in the exercise were aircraft in the MiG-21 LanceR unit, alongside Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Royal Air Forces and the German Air Forces, deployed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base 57.



    COIN The National Bank of Romania will issue on 7 July a new silver coin to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Japan, the institution announced in a news release. The obverse of the coin features Caraiman Peak in the Bucegi Mountains, while the reverse features a traditional Japanese gate, tori, overlapping the image of Mount Fuji reflected in the Kawaguchi lake.



    TENNIS The Romanian player Sorana Cîrstea Thursday qualified into the 3rd round of the Wimbledon tournament, the 3rd grand slam of the year, after defeating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, in 3 sets. Cîrstea (45 WTA) is to play Saturday against Emma Răducanu (338 WTA), who managed to beat the Czech Marketa Vondrousova in one of the tournaments major surprises. Today, Irina Begu (74 WTA) attempts qualification in the round of 16, in a match against Iga Swiatek of Poland, (9 WTA and seed no. 7). In the doubles, Romanians Horia Tecău and Raluca Olaru, with their respective partners, have qualified in the second round of the mens and womens competitions. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • March 31, 2021 UPDATE

    March 31, 2021 UPDATE

    WB Romania’s economy is expected to grow by 4.3% this year after last year’s 3.9% contraction, says the latest World Bank report published on Wednesday. According to the same report, the economic growth would be supported by the improved economic activity in the second half of 2021. This economic growth will also depend on the success of the vaccination rollout, the political response to the medical crisis as well as by the EU performances. World Bank also expects a 4.1% economic growth for the next year with an inflation rate around 3% in 2021 and of 3.2% in 2022. Inflation is expected to go down to 2.9% in 2023.



    COVID-19 As many as 6,156 new COVID-19 infections were reported on Wednesday in Romania out of 41,000 tests. 14 counties are in the red zone, meaning they have infection rates above 3 per thousand. Ilfov County near Bucharest has the highest infection rate, over 9 per thousand, and the capital city is over 7 per thousand. The autorities also announced 129 deaths and 1,412 patients in intensive care, a new record since the start of the pandemic. Authorities have again pointed out that only through vaccination and observance of the prevention rules will Romania be able to get rid of the pandemic. According to physician Andreea Moldovan, state secretary with the Health Ministry, the third wave is different than the others, with a higher number of cases and increased gravity. In her opinion, if containment measures are relaxed or ignored by people, they would stay in force for longer. Meanwhile, the vaccine rollout is in full swing in Romania with over 2 million vaccinated; half of them with the booster dose.



    PROTESTS For the third night in a row, Bucharest and several big cities across Romania on Tuesday saw large-scale protests against the anti-Covid measures imposed by the authorities. Chanting anti-government slogans, the protesters called on the authorities to cancel the mandatory wear of face masks and reopen gyms and fitness facilities. Romanias president Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday said that he understands the discontent of the Romanians after a year of restrictions, adding these measures are the only means that can help Romania to contain the pandemic. The Romanian president also said that protests are normal in a functioning democracy but violence, extremism and xenophobia are intolerable and completely unacceptable. The president’s statement came after clashes in some of Romania’s cities. Opposition leader Marcel Ciolacu said that people took to the streets out of poverty and despair caused by the ongoing medical crisis.



    TALKS The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu and the US secretary of state Antony Blinken Tuesday had talks over telephone about Romania’s contribution to NATO, energy security and the rule of law. Washington praised Romania for being a staunch NATO ally and for its commitment to strengthening security at the Black Sea, while Bucharest gave assurances these approaches would continue. The two officials also tackled the developing bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and the efforts to diversify gas supplies in Europe. Minister Aurescu mentioned the priority of Romania’s government related to the country’s OECD accession and voiced his belief that the US would support Romania’s intention. He also highlighted the interest in the rapid progress of the Visa Waiver programme and an increased US military presence in Romania.



    ANTI-SEMITISM The Chamber of Deputies Wednesday adopted a joint statement condemning anti-Semitic messages in Romania and attempts at rehabilitating war criminals. The response comes after actress Maia Morgenstern, head of the State Jewish Theatre in Bucharest, received death threats. Anti-Semitism is a threat to democracy, and acknowledging the past is a key element of responsibility, both in the present and in the future, reads the statement signed by the Deputies at the initiative of the representative of Jewish communities in Parliament, Silviu Vexler.


    AIR POLICE The Spanish Air Forces unit deployed to Romania in early February, at the Mihail Kogălniceanu air base, has completed its mission. The 130-strong team of pilots and technicians with 6 Eurofighter Typhoon conducted air police missions under NATO command jointly with Romanian Air Forces troops using F-16 and MiG-21 LanceR. The Spanish unit will be replaced by a British Royal Air Force unit currently being deployed to Romania. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • January 14, 2021 UPDATE

    January 14, 2021 UPDATE

    VACCINATION More than 3,500 new coronavirus cases and 66 related deaths were recorded on Thursday in Romania. The total number of confirmed cases is now over 684,000, while the death toll is 17,035. 1,101 Covid patients are in intensive care. 90% of Romanians who caught the virus have recovered. Some 155,000 healthcare workers and those working in social care have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Romania. Phase two of the vaccination campaign gets under way on Friday, targeting the elderly, chronic patients and workers in key sectors, totalling some 5 million people. PM Florin Cîțu says the pace of vaccination will be stepped up, the target being the immunisation of more than 10 million people by September. 62% of Romanians say they want to be given the vaccine according to a poll conducted by Reveal Marketing Research between 6th and 11th January.



    SALARY LAW The government is looking at bonuses in the public sector and if they are justified as part of drafting the state budget for this year, PM Florin Cîţu said on Thursday. He explained that he is considering amending the salary law to eliminate inequalities in the public sector. He said the pensions law would also be amended this year to take into account the contribution principle. The government on Wednesday increased the gross minimum wage by approx. 3%.



    SCHOOLS Most schools in Romania will reopen on February 8, if the COVID-19 situation stays the same as in the past few weeks, president Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday. He had a meeting with the PM Florin Cîţu, the education minister Sorin Cîmpeanu, the health minister Vlad Voiculescu, the head of the Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, and the head of the National Centre for Infectious Disease Monitoring and Control, Adriana Pistol. Iohannis explained that when the infection rate in a locality goes above 6 per thousand, a lockdown will be introduced. He also said the situation will be re-assessed prior to opening schools, with a final decision to be made on February 2. As far as universities are concerned, each institution will be free to decide. With the exception of two months, schools have been closed in Romania since March last year, with teaching being conducted online.



    PROTEST Healthcare trade unions in Solidaritatea Sanitara federation picketed the government building in Bucharest and prefecture offices around the country to demand more protection measures for healthcare workers amid the pandemic. They also demand a rise in the basic salary for all healthcare staff as of January 1 this year, to the level stipulated in the salary law for 2022. The federation also wants the government to give up on the reduction of the basic salary as a result of a government order issued at the end of 2020, and to grant all healthcare workers special bonuses and a risk incentive for the entire duration of the pandemic.



    AIR FORCES Four Romanian F-16 aicraft with Air Base 86 in Borcea (south-eastern Romania), together with US Air Force aircraft deployed in Europe, took part on Thursday in the Prime Accord multinational military exercise. The exercise included escort and combat patrol missions. According to the Romanian defence ministry, the action was designed to reinforce NATO assurance measures in south-east Europe, and to check the integration of Romanian and NATO command and control structures. (tr. A.M. Popescu)