Radio România Internațional

Tag: Brexit agreement

  • April 28, 2021 UPDATE

    April 28, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 IN ROMANIA -Over 2,200 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in Romania on
    Wednesday. The number of hospitalized patients is around 10,000. Of these, more
    than 1,300 are in intensive care. The total toll, since the beginning of the
    pandemic in February last year, has exceeded 1,050,000 cases of infection and
    27,800 deaths. The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, has once again called
    on the population to get vaccinated, stating that this is the only way to end
    the pandemic. The authorities want to accelerate the vaccination process by
    opening new vaccination centers over the coming days. On Thursday, the first
    drive-through center will be opened in Bucharest, where people will be able to
    get the jab without prior appointment. Moreover, between May 7-9, a marathon of
    anti-Covid vaccination will be organized in the Capital. Currently, about a
    thousand vaccination centers are active, with a capacity of over 120,000
    immunized people / day. So far, about 3.2 million Romanians have been
    vaccinated.




    HOLIDAY -Before the May 1st mini-holiday, which this year coincides with the
    Orthodox Easter holiday, Prime Minister Florin Cîţu calls on the population to
    keep observing anti-coronavirus sanitary rules, even if Romania is now on a
    descending slope of the third wave of the pandemic. He has urged the prefects
    and the police to take all measures to ensure compliance with the health rules
    in place. In the Romanian resorts on the Black Sea, over 30 thousand tourists
    are expected during the mini-holiday of May 1 and Easter. About 100 hotels will
    be opened, many of them already occupied at 70% capacity, the maximum allowed
    by the authorities. Tourists are not allowed to party on the beach, and wearing
    a mask is mandatory.




    GOVERNMENT -The Government in
    Bucharest on Wednesday approved two projects for the repair and modernization
    of the Romanian railways as well as a loan worth 150 million Euro from the
    International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which will be used to reform
    the health-care system. Also on Wednesday the Government adopted an emergency
    decree for the protection of Romanian workers abroad, which will also help combat
    illegal employment more effectively. The decree also aims to prevent and reduce
    the possible effects caused by the existence of situations of force majeure or
    health crisis.




    VISIT – Romania’s Foreign Minister,
    Bogdan Aurescu, on Wednesday met his Hungarian counterpart, Péter
    Szijjártó, in Gyula, Hungary, home to an important community of Romanians. The
    two officials signed a cooperation protocol focusing on national minorities and
    two agreements modifying the bilateral judicial framework with a view to
    creating two border crossing points, in Variaşu Mic/Dombegyhaza and
    Grăniceri/Elek. Minister Aurescu said Bucharest expects Hungary to provide
    financial support to Romanian-language teaching, develop the network of schools
    and high schools and provide the Romanian Orthodox Bishopric in Budapest with a
    property. The Romanian official also discussed with his Hungarian counterpart
    about employing Romanian speakers in public institutions in those towns and
    villages with Romanian minorities, restoring Romanian churches and the
    financing and encouragement of Romanian-language print press and audiovisual
    media. Also on Wednesday, Bogdan Aurescu met with representatives of the
    Romanian community in Hungary, discussing the protection and promotion of
    ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious rights.




    MOLDOVA – The
    pro-European president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, on Wednesday
    announced she signed the decree for the dissolution of Parliament and the
    organization of early parliamentary elections on July 11. The decision followed
    a Constitutional Court ruling invalidating Parliament’s decision to declare a
    state of emergency for 60 days until May 30, during which time Parliament
    cannot be dissolved and early election cannot be held.




    BREXIT – The European Parliament on
    Wednesday ratified the post-Brexit trade agreement between the EU and the UK,
    after MEPs debated and voted the agreement on Tuesday. Parliament explained
    that, although it’s not ideal, the agreement is the best option to curb some of
    the serious effects of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU and securing the
    integrity of the single market. The document instates new preferential clauses,
    including trading in goods and services, digital trade, copyright, public
    procurement, aviation and rail transport, energy or fishing. Wednesday’s vote
    thus puts an end a period of four years of difficult negotiations and debates.




    TENNIS -
    Romanian tennis players Simona Halep and Sorana Cîrstea on Thursday will play in the first round of the WTA
    1000 tournament in Madrid, totaling 2.5 million Euro in prizes. Halep (3 WTA)
    has won the tournament twice, in 2016 and 2017. She will play Sara Sorribes
    Tormo (46 WTA) of Spain. Cîrstea (58 WTA) will take on Jessica Pegula (33 WTA)
    of the United States, a week after winning the title in Istanbul. On Wednesday,
    another two Romanians entered the main draw. Ana Bogdan (102 WTA) defeated
    Japan’s Nao Hibino (82 WTA), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. In turn, Irina Begu (75 WTA) won
    6-3, 6-3 against Stefanie Voegele (127 WTA) of Switzerland. (V.P.)

  • April 27, 2021

    April 27, 2021

    COVID-19
    IN ROMANIA – 2,019 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the
    last 24 hours, according to the Group for Strategic Communication. Another 172
    related fatalities have also been reported, while 1,336 patients are currently
    in intensive care. Nearly 10,000 patients are being treated for COVID-19 in
    hospitals across Romania. Since the start of the pandemic, over 1 million infections
    have been confirmed in Romania, 95% of the people who got sick having
    recovered. The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing down in Romania,
    Prime Minister Florin Cîţu said, stressing the need to observe health
    safety regulations – the mandatory wearing of face masks and physical
    distancing, including during the Orthodox Easter holidays.




    COVID-19 IN THE WORLD – Several aircraft carrying emergency
    medical equipment are expected to arrive today in India, which is facing severe
    difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical equipment, mechanical
    ventilators, oxygen generators, liquefied oxygen tanks as well as equipment
    required to produce COVID-19 vaccines have been sent to India by the EU, the
    USA, France, the UK, Germany and other countries. India on Monday reported a
    world record-high number of over 350 thousand new cases of COVID-19 over the
    course of 24 hours, and a new record-high death toll of 2,800 people at
    national level. The WHO says the
    situation in this country is beyond heartbreaking and insists that
    vaccination is key.


    DEFENSE – The Country’s Supreme Defense
    Council is today convening in a meeting chaired by president Klaus Iohannis.
    The meeting’s agenda includes topics pertaining to the security of the Black
    Sea region and their impact on Romania, and the completion of the NATO Resolute
    Support mission in Afghanistan. Last week President Iohannis expressed concern
    with the developments in the Black Sea region, referring to tension building up
    in Eastern Ukraine, a situation Romania is carefully monitoring. According to
    Western estimates, Russia has rallied around 100 thousand military on the
    Ukrainian border, in occupied Crimea and in the Black Sea. On Thursday, Russian
    Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu announced the withdrawal of all Russian troops
    by May 1.


    REACTION – Romania’s ambassador to Moscow,
    Cristian Istrate, is familiar with the standard response to acts of hostility
    against Russia, the Russian MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in response
    to Romania’s decision to declare Russia’s military attaché at the Russian
    Embassy in Bucharest, Alexey Grishaev, persona non grata in Romania. Russia’s
    ambassador to Romania, Valery Kuzmin, in turn told TASS news agency that the
    Romanian authorities’ decision is undoubtedly inimical, one that won’t help
    restore healthy relations between the two countries, and that Russia has a
    right to respond in line with the Vienna Convention of 1961 regarding
    diplomatic relations. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in turn said
    Grishaev’s actions go against the provisions of the Convention. Dozens of
    Russian diplomats have been expelled from European states recently after their
    actions were labeled as incompatible with a diplomat’s activity, also against
    the backdrop of the espionage scandal in the Czech Republic. Prague authorities
    announced they have discovered new evidence that Russian spies, working as
    diplomats, were behind the explosion of a weapons depot in 2014. In response,
    Russia expelled a number of Czech diplomats.


    MOLDOVA – The Moldovan Parliament’s vote on
    removing the president of the Constitutional Court is a blatant attack on
    democratic standards and constitutional order in the Republic of Moldova, a
    declaration of the US State Department reads. Friday’s vote in Moldova followed
    a ruling of the Constitutional Court in favor of president Maia Sandu’s request
    to hold early elections, which risks further escalating the conflict between
    Moldova’s pro-European president and the Moldovan Parliament, dominated by
    supporters of the former pro-Russian president, Igor Dodon. The US State
    Department urged Moldovan leaders and MPs to observe the rule of law, defend
    democratic institutions and work together towards solving the challenges facing
    this country, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Union too condemned
    Friday’s vote as an attack on constitutional order in the Republic of Moldova.


    BREXIT – The European Parliament today is
    expected to vote on the post-Brexit agreement between the European Union and
    the United Kingdom, which creates the new framework for cooperation between the
    two parties. Additionally, MEPs will debate and vote a resolution on evaluating
    the agreement, in which they insist on the full enactment of the agreement,
    together with Britain’s withdrawal agreement, also underlining Parliament’s
    monitoring role in the enactment of these documents. In December, the EU and UK
    negotiators for Brexit agreed on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement setting the
    rules for upcoming cooperation in terms of tariff-free trade and fair
    competition standards in the fishing, energy, domestic security sectors. To
    avoid any potential disruptions in two-way trade, both sides agree to enact the
    agreement temporarily over January 1 – April 30, 2021. Parliament’s vote is
    required for the agreement to take full effect. (V.P.)













  • November 25, 2018 UPDATE

    November 25, 2018 UPDATE

    BREXIT DEAL – The leaders of the EU members states, gathered in Brussels on Sunday, signed off the Brexit withdrawal agreement and the declaration defining the EU-Britain post Brexit-relation. The 27 EU member states have also stood for having as tight a relation as possible with London, after Brexit. The withdrawal agreement provides for the legal conditions under which Great Britain leaves the EU on March 29, 2019. The political declaration accompanying the agreement underlines Londons and Brussels common objectives to define their future relation. Great Britain becomes the first country to leave the EU, 45 years after its accession. The British Parliament is set to vote upon the Brexit agreement before Christmas. Romania was represented at the Brussels summit by President Klaus Johannis. The president gave assurances the agreement protects the Romanian nationals who live and work in the UK.



    NATIONAL CATHEDRAL – The National Cathedral in Bucharest has been consecrated by the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, with many Romanian and foreign prelates in attendance. Tens of thousands of Romanians from across the country, some of them wearing national costumes have also attended the event. The idea of erecting a Cathedral emblematic for the Romanian space emerged soon after the country gained its independence, following the 1877-1878 war. Back then, the leaders noticed there was not a church in Bucharest large enough to accommodate all those willing to attend a mass. “It is a national event- The National Cathedral, Romanias Cathedral, in the centenary year, said PM Viorica Dăncilă. On December 1, Romania celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Great Union of all Romanian historical principalities in a single state.



    SWINE FEVER – There are over 1,100 swine fever outbreaks in some 300 small towns and villages in 17 Romanian counties, the latest data released by the National Sanitary-Veterinary Authority show. Over 360,000 pigs have been culled so far and some 8,000 farmers have received damages. The Authority also says the disease has been eradicated in the north-eastern county of Satu Mare, where the first case was reported in the summer of 2017. In exchange, a new hotbed was reported in a household in Olt county, in the south-east. Romania has requested EU support to grant financial compensations to the affected farmers. The African swine fever is not transmissible to humans, but it has a significant economic impact.



    RadiRo – The International Festival of Radio Orchestras, RadiRo, organised by Radio Romania, has come to a close. The festival ended with an all Tcaikovsky program concert given by the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. On Saturday, performing on the stage of the festival was LOrchestra della Svizzera Italiana, of Lugano, Switzerland. Over 9,000 spectators in eight days of the festival, eight symphonic concerts, and as a premiere 4 jazz concerts – this is in brief, the summary of the most prestigious cultural event, the only in the world devoted to radio orchestras. The concerts broadcast live by Radio Romania have also been recorded and later broadcast by the Romanian Television Company and by other radio broadcasters, that are EBU members.



    CARS – In 2017, only 7% of the EUs population didnt afford to buy a car, but the percentage points were four times higher in Romania, data released by Eurostat show. Bulgaria and Hungary are other EU member states where more than a fifth of the population does not afford to buy a car. The EU member countries with the lowest percentage points of people who do not afford to buy a car are Cyprus and Malta, with only 1.7% of the total population. In Romanias case, the number of people who did not afford to buy a car decreased from 32.9% in 2016, to 29.8% in 2017. Official data show Romanias national car fleet stood at 7.635 million cars, 9% more than in the previous years. Over 1.320 million cars of them are registered in Bucharest alone.



    HANDBALL – Romanias national womens handball team has won the 50th edition of the Carpathian Trophy, after having defeated the Romania B team, 33-24. The defending Olympic champion Russia ranked third, after defeating Serbia 33-32 on Saturday, in the other final. The tournament played in Bucharest is the last test for Romania ahead of the European Handball Championship due in France in December, when it meets the Czech Republic, Germany and Norway. Romania ranked 5th at the 2016 European Championship, and it put up its best performance in 2010, when it grabbed the bronze medal.

  • November 25, 2018

    November 25, 2018

    BREXIT DEAL – The leaders of the EU members states, gathered in Brussels, have today signed off the Brexit withdrawal agreement and the declaration defining the EU-Britain post Brexit-relation. The 27 EU member states have also stood for having as tight a relation as possible with London, after Brexit. The withdrawal agreement provides for the legal conditions under which Great Britain leaves the EU on March 29, 2019. The political declaration accompanying the agreement underlines Londons and Brussels common objectives to define their future relation. Romania is represented at the Brussels summit by President Klaus Johannis. Before the endorsement of the Brexit deal, the Romanian President said the document is very good for Romania, and the rights of the Romanian nationals are perfectly protected.



    NATIONAL CATHEDRAL – The National Cathedral in Bucharest has been consecrated by the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, with many Romanain and foreign prelates in attendance. Tens of thousands of Romanians from across the country, some of them wearing national costumes have also attended the event. The idea of erecting a Cathedral emblematic for the Romanian space emerged soon after the country gained its independence, following the 1877-1878 war. Back then, the leaders noticed there was not a church in Bucharest large enough to accommodate all those willing to attend a mass. “It is a national event- The National Cathedral, Romanias Cathedral, in the centenary year, said PM Viorica Dăncilă. On December 1, Romania celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Great Union of all Romanian historical principalities in a single state.



    SWINE FEVER – There are over 1,100 swine fever outbreaks in some 300 small towns and villages in 17 Romanian counties, the latest data released by the National Sanitary-Veterinary Authority show. Over 360,000 pigs have been culled so far and some 8,000 farmers have received damages. The Authority also says the disease has been eradicated in the north-eastern county of Satu Mare, where the first case was reported in the summer of 2017. In exchange, a new hotbed was reported in a household in Olt county, in the south-east. Romania has requested EU support to grant financial compensations to the affected farmers. The African swine fever is not transmissible to humans, but it has a significant economic impact.



    RadiRo – The International Festival of Radio Orchestras, RadiRo, organised by Radio Romania, comes to a close later in the day with an all Tcaikovsky program concert, performed by the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. On Saturday, performing on the stage of the festival was LOrchestra della Svizzera Italiana, of Lugano, Switzerland. Over 9,000 spectators in eight days of the festival, eight symphonic concerts, and as a premiere 4 jazz concerts – this is in brief, the summary of the most prestigious cultural event, the only in the world devoted to radio orchestras. The concerts broadcast live by Radio Romania have also been recorded and later broadcast by the Romanian Television Company and by other radio broadcasters, that are EBU members.



    CARS – In 2017, only 7% of the EUs population didnt afford to buy a car, but the percentage points were four times higher in Romania, data released by Eurostat show. Bulgaria and Hungary are other EU member states where more than a fifth of the population does not afford to buy a car. The EU member countries with the lowest percentage points of people who do not afford to buy a car are Cyprus and Malta, with only 1.7% of the total population. In Romanias case, the number of people who did not afford to buy a car decreased from 32.9% in 2016, to 29.8% in 2017. Official data show Romania’s national car fleet stood at 7.635 million cars, 9% more than in the previous years. Over 1.320 million cars of them are registered in Bucharest alone.



    HANDBALL – Romanias national womens handball team has won the 50th edition of the Carpathian Trophy, after having defeated the Romania B team, 33-24. The defending Olympic champion Russia ranked third, after defeating Serbia 33-32 on Saturday, in the other final. The tournament played in Bucharest is the last test for Romania ahead of the European Handball Championship due in France in December, when it meets the Czech Republic, Germany and Norway. Romania ranked 5th at the 2016 European Championship, and it put up its best performance in 2010, when it grabbed the bronze medal.

  • November 24, 2018 UPDATE

    November 24, 2018 UPDATE

    RECEPTION – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and
    Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel on Saturday were received by President Klaus
    Iohannis. Patriarch Bartholomew visited Bucharest to attend the consecration of
    the new national cathedral. President Iohannis said the moment represents a
    landmark for Romanian Orthodox believers at home and abroad, steeped in history
    and symbolism. On December 1 Romania marks 100 years since the Great Union.




    BREXIT – Spain and Great Britain on Saturday settled their dispute
    regarding Gibraltar, thus removing the last obstacle in the way of the Brexit
    agreement, which could be finalized on Sunday as part of an emergency European
    Council summit held in Brussels. Previously Madrid threatened to oppose the
    Brexit agreement unless the text provides an amendment in the case of
    Gibraltar, a state under British rule which Spain has claimed. The European
    Union and the United Kingdom consented on a political declaration that sets the
    framework for post-Brexit relations, particularly regarding trade. Romania’s
    President Klaus Iohannis will attend the European Council summit in Brussels on
    Sunday, aimed at voting the Brexit agreement. The President told the General
    Assembly of the European Center for Worker Issues that, for the first time
    since its EU accession in 2007, Romania will have to deal with major challenges
    such as Brexit, the post-2020 multi-annual financial framework and migration as
    president of the EU Council in 2019.




    POLICE – The Romanian Police has taken part in the 16th
    international Rail Action Day – 24 Blue, held by the European Rail Police
    (RAILPOL) all across Europe. Over 400 rail police officers took part in the
    action. RAILPOL is an international association of organizations of EU member
    states in the field of maintaining public order and security in the field of
    rail transport. The main purpose of RAILPOL is to intensify rail policing
    cooperation and ensure the safety of rail travellers.




    SWINE FEVER VIRUS – Over 1,100 outbreaks of African swine fever
    virus are now reported in nearly 300 towns and villages in 17 counties, the
    National Veterinary and Sanitary Authority has announced. So far over 360,000
    pigs have been culled and nearly 8,000 pig farmers have been compensated. The
    Authority says Satu Mare County, where the first case of the virus was reported
    last year, is now virus-free. Romania has called on the EU for support to
    compensate pig farmers.




    PROTESTS – The French Police used tear gas and water cannons to
    disperse the crowd of people protesting in Paris against the increase in fuel
    prices in the second week of street protests. Clashes between the riot police
    and protesters were reported on Champs Elysees. At least one person was
    detained. Protesters chanted anti-Government slogans. Over 300,000 people
    protested last Saturday all over France.




    RADIRO – The International Festival of Radio Orchestras (RaDiRo)
    continued on Saturday with a concert performed by the Orchestra della Svizzera
    Italiana of Lugano, Switzerland. RaDiRo is the only event in Europe and the
    world devoted to radio orchestras. All concerts are broadcast live by Radio
    Romania’s stations, recorded and broadcast by the public television as well as
    members of the European Radio Broadcasting Union.




    RUGBY – The Romanian national rugby
    team on Saturday lost 20-27 to Uruguay in a friendly game. Romania has dropped
    one position in world rankings to 17, after sustaining a bitter 5-31 defeat
    against the United States last week and failing to qualify to the World Cup to
    be held in Japan next year.






    (Translated by V. Palcu)