Radio România Internațional

Tag: celebration

  • January 24, 2024

    January 24, 2024

    CELEBRATION Military and religious ceremonies, performances and exhibitions took place on Friday in all the major cities in Romania, marking the Union of the Principalities. In Orthodox churches, special services were performed and bells were rung for a minute. 166 years ago, on January 24, 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected ruler of Wallachia, after having been elected ruler of Moldavia on January 5. The political decision by the principalities to unite was the first stage in the creation of the modern Romanian state. Leading politicians sent messages on the Day of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. “January 24 is a moment of assessment and reflection on the legacy of our ancestors and on the responsibility we have to preserve and promote it,” president Klaus Iohannis emphasised. PM Marcel Ciolacu pointed out that the Union is an example of how an important political project undertaken in accordance with the will of the people can become reality. Romanians enjoy an extended weekend on this occasion, as Union Day has been declared a public holiday. Many have chosen to spend it in mountain resorts.

     

    PROTEST Railway workers, reserve officers, police staff, miners, foresters, steelworkers, Bucharest Metro employees and pensioners Friday took part in a protest rally in front of the Government headquarters. People are unhappy with the government order that froze salary increases for many public sector personnel at the beginning of this year, and because public pensions are no longer adjusted to the inflation rate. According to Radio Romania, a trade union delegation had talks with government officials, but without results. A reorganisation of central public institutions and state-owned companies was also announced these days. According to PM Marcel Ciolacu, restructuring the public sector is a priority for the current governing coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania.

     

    DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign minister Emil Hurezeanu will have a meeting with NATO’s secretary general Mark Rutte at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, January 28, reads a statement from the North Atlantic Alliance. On January 14, Emil Hurezeanu received the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien. According to a foreign ministry news release, on that occasion the Romanian official appreciated the US contribution to the security and defense of NATO’s Eastern Flank, as well as to the development of the strategic approach to the Black Sea region. The two officials also appreciated the bilateral relationship, highlighting ‘significant’ achievements such as Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, the development of economic and energy sector cooperation, and coordinated Romania – US – EU action.

     

    ELECTIONS The Liberals will convene on Sunday in a special National Council meeting to validate the former party president Crin Antonescu as the joint candidate of the ruling coalition in Romania in the presidential elections in May. The Social Democrats scheduled a special congress on February 2 for the same purpose, and UDMR will make its decision at the beginning of next week. The first and second rounds of the presidential elections are scheduled for May 4 and 18. So far, the mayor of Bucharest, Nicuşor Dan, the independent candidate Călin Georgescu and the president of Save Romania Union, Elena Lasconi, have announced plans to run for president. The latter two were top placed in the presidential elections canceled last year. After the first election round on November 24 was validated, the Constitutional Court of Romania canceled the election as a whole on December 6, although voting in the second round had already begun abroad. The Court made its decision after the Supreme Defence Council published a report indicating foreign interference in the electoral process, but investigations have so far failed to confirm it. Tens of thousands of Romanians took to the streets to demand that the second round be resumed.

     

    CORRUPTION The mayor of the popular Romanian mountain resort of Sinaia, the Liberal Vlad Oprea, was placed under court supervision on Thursday, with bail set at over EUR 100,000, as part of a corruption-related investigation. Charges of abuse of office also entailed a ban on him holding the mayor position. According to prosecutors with the National Anticorruption Directorate, among other things, Vlad Oprea allegedly demanded and received almost EUR 240,000 in bribe from a businessman, in exchange for expediting the paperwork for the building of a hotel in the resort.

     

    EXPULSION The Romanian Embassy in Belgrade has asked for clarifications from the Serbian authorities as to why a Romanian national was expelled from the country. Other EU and third country citizens taking part in an NGO training workshop were also involved in the incident. The Romanian, a member of an organisation involved in social projects, was taken to a police station in Belgrade, along with other participants in the workshop. Without explanation, but citing national security reasons, they were ordered to leave Serbia within 24 hours, and banned from entering this country for one year. The Romanian national left the country safely. The expulsion of EU citizens from Serbia is unprecedented. (AMP)

  • January 24, 2025 UPDATE 2

    January 24, 2025 UPDATE 2

     

    CELEBRATION Military and religious ceremonies, performances and exhibitions took place on Friday in all the major cities in Romania, marking the Union of the Principalities. In Orthodox churches, special services were performed and bells were rung for a minute. 166 years ago, on January 24, 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected ruler of Wallachia, after having been elected ruler of Moldavia on January 5. The political decision of the principalities to unite was the first stage in the creation of the modern Romanian state. Leading politicians sent messages on the Day of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. “January 24 is a moment of assessment and reflection on the legacy of our ancestors and on the responsibility we have to preserve and promote it,” president Klaus Iohannis emphasised. PM Marcel Ciolacu pointed out that the Union is an example of how an important political project undertaken in accordance with the will of the people can become reality. Romanians enjoy an extended weekend on this occasion, as Union Day has been declared a public holiday. Many have chosen to spend it in mountain resorts.

     

    DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign minister Emil Hurezeanu will have a meeting with NATO’s secretary general Mark Rutte at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, January 28, reads a statement from the North Atlantic Alliance. On January 14, Emil Hurezeanu received the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien. According to a foreign ministry news release, on that occasion the Romanian official appreciated the US contribution to the security and defense of NATO’s Eastern Flank, as well as to the development of the strategic approach to the Black Sea region. The two officials also appreciated the bilateral relationship, highlighting ‘significant’ achievements such as Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, the development of economic and energy sector cooperation, and coordinated Romania – US – EU action.

  • January 24, 2025

    January 24, 2025

    CELEBRATION Military and religious ceremonies, performances and exhibitions are taking place today in all the major cities in Romania, marking the Union of the Principalities. In Orthodox churches, special services were performed and bells were rung for a minute. 166 years ago, on January 24, 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected ruler of Wallachia, after having been elected ruler of Moldavia on January 5. The political decision of the principalities to unite was the first stage in the creation of the modern Romanian state. Leading politicians sent messages on the Day of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. “January 24 is a moment of assessment and reflection on the legacy of our ancestors and on the responsibility we have to preserve and promote it,” president Klaus Iohannis emphasised. PM Marcel Ciolacu pointed out that the Union is an example of how an important political project undertaken in accordance with the will of the people can become reality. Romanians enjoy an extended weekend on this occasion, as Union Day has been declared a public holiday. Many have chosen to spend it in mountain resorts. However, as protests are announced in addition to many events planned throughout the country, over 22,000 interior ministry employees are mobilised to ensure public order and peace.

     

    PROTEST Railway workers, reserve officers, police staff, miners, foresters, steelworkers, Bucharest Metro employees and pensioners announced their participation today in a protest rally in front of the Government headquarters. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend. People are unhappy with the government order that froze salary increases at the beginning of this year, and because public pensions are no longer adjusted to the inflation rate. A reorganisation of central public institutions and state-owned companies was also announced these days. According to PM Marcel Ciolacu, restructuring the public sector is a priority for the current governing coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania.

     

    ELECTIONS The Liberals will convene on Sunday in a special National Council meeting to validate the former party president Crin Antonescu as the joint candidate of the ruling coalition in Romania in the presidential elections in May. The Social Democrats scheduled a special congress on February 2 for the same purpose, and UDMR will make its decision at the beginning of next week. The first and second rounds of the presidential elections are scheduled for May 4 and 18. So far, the mayor of Bucharest, Nicuşor Dan, the independent candidate Călin Georgescu and the president of Save Romania Union, Elena Lasconi, have announced plans to run for president. The latter two were top placed in the presidential elections canceled last year. After the first election round on November 24 was validated, the Constitutional Court of Romania canceled the election as a whole on December 6, although voting in the second round had already begun abroad. The Court made its decision after the Supreme Defence Council published a report indicating foreign interference in the electoral process, but investigations have so far failed to confirm it. Tens of thousands of Romanians took to the streets to demand that the second round be resumed.

     

    CORRUPTION The mayor of the popular Romanian mountain resort of Sinaia, the Liberal Vlad Oprea, was placed under court supervision on Thursday, with bail set at over EUR 100,000, as part of a corruption-related investigation. Charges of abuse of office also entailed a ban on him holding the mayor position. According to prosecutors with the National Anticorruption Directorate, among other things, Vlad Oprea allegedly demanded and received almost EUR 240,000 in bribe from a businessman, in exchange for expediting the paperwork for the building of a hotel in the resort.

     

    EXPULSION The Romanian Embassy in Belgrade has asked for clarifications from the Serbian authorities as to why a Romanian national was expelled from the country. Other EU and third country citizens taking part in an NGO training workshop were also involved in the incident. The Romanian, a member of an organisation involved in social projects, was taken to a police station in Belgrade, along with other participants in the workshop. Without explanation, but citing national security reasons, they were ordered to leave Serbia within 24 hours, and banned from entering this country for one year. The Romanian national left the country safely. The expulsion of EU citizens from Serbia is unprecedented.

     

    FOOTBALL Romanian football champions FCSB defeated the Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK, 3-2 on Thursday evening in Baku, in the 7th round of the Europa League. With this important win, FCSB not only secured its ticket for the next stage of the competition, but also has a good chance of qualifying straight for the round of 16. On January 30, the Romanians will play in Bucharest against the English team Manchester United. (AMP)

  • January 23, 2025 UPDATE

    January 23, 2025 UPDATE

    A roundup of local and international news.

     

    CELEBRATION – The Romanian Ministry of National Defense and the local authorities will organize on Friday, January 24, in the garrisons where there are monuments dedicated to the Union of the Romanian Principalities, military and religious ceremonies dedicated to the celebration of the 166th anniversary of this historical event. In Bucharest, a military wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Statue of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Every year, on January 24, Romanians celebrate the Union of the Romanian Principalities that took place in 1859, under the leadership of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, an act of political will of the leaders of Moldavia and Wallachia, and the first step towards the creation of the modern Romanian unitary state.

     

    SECURITY – Over 22,000 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will make sure that the events dedicated to the Union of the Romanian Principalities in the upcoming days unfold smoothly. Around 1,400 traffic police officers will be present on public roads, especially on those that are usually crowded during mini-holidays. Various activities will be organized throughout the country in approximately 130 locations, with an estimated participation of over 60,000 people.

     

    CORRUPTION – Vlad Oprea, the Liberal mayor of Sinaia, the most popular resort on the Prahova Valley (southern Romania), was detained on Thursday by prosecutors of the National Anticorruption Directorate, in a case in which he is suspected of corruption. According to the prosecutors, he claimed and received bribe of almost 240,000 Euros from a businessman, in order to facilitate the issuance of the necessary documentation for the construction of a hotel in the city. Oprea is also accused of having allowed the unauthorized activity of providing public catering services for a restaurant in Sinaia, between July 2019 and January 2024, in order to obtain undue benefits.

     

    PROTEST – Railway workers, reserve military, policemen, miners, foresters, steel workers or employees of the Bucharest Subway system are expected, on Friday, at a rally organized near the government offices, in protest at the new social and salary policies of the ruling coalition made up of the PSD-PNL-UDMR, the Federation of Railway Transporters’ Unions from Romania (FSTFR) have announced. The estimated number of participants in the protest is 30,000.

     

    RELEASE – The Romanian Foreign Ministry has announced that the Romanian crew member of the “Galaxy Leader” ship, released from Yemen, is safe and sound. The crew has been in captivity for more than a year after the Houthi rebel group captured the ship, at the start of a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, motivated by Israel’s war against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. The 25 sailors from the Philippines, Mexico, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine were detained in November 2023 by Houthi fighters, who used a helicopter to board the cargo ship that started from Turkey, heading India. A Houthi-controlled Yemeni television station said the crew had been freed and handed over to Oman, following the completion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which took effect on Sunday. The release comes after months of diplomatic work involving the sailors’ home countries, as well as the UN’s International Maritime Organization. The Romanian Foreign Ministry specifies that the action is the result of the efforts of the Foreign Intelligence Service and the other institutions within the crisis cell. The Romanian authorities also thank the external partners, especially the Sultanate of Oman and the neighboring Bulgaria, for the important support given to solving this complex and extremely difficult case.

     

    REORGANISATION – The reorganization of central public institutions and of state-owned companies in Romania, with a view to reducing budget expenses, has created  discontent among the employees. Several ministries have already announced reorganizations and the reduction of the number of employees. The Parliament leadership also announced the reduction of civil servant positions by approximately 400, which led to a spontaneous protest by the employees.

     

    REPORT – The vice-president of the European Parliament, the Romanian social democrat Victor Negrescu, says that the European Comission will present, in a relatively short time, a report on foreign interference in the presidential election in Romania, through the Chinese network TikTok. The European Commission can make specific recommendations or impose fines on the network, Negrescu explained. He also said that the Vice-President of the Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, spoke about the possibility that all social networks, not just TikTok, which interfere in democratic debates and elections, be subject to stricter control and sanctions if they violate the European legislation in the field.

     

     

     

  • September 11, 2022 UPDATE

    September 11, 2022 UPDATE


    CELEBRATION The celebration of 150 years since the death of Avram Iancu, the leader of the 1848 Revolution in Transylvania, included events devoted to this national hero. Military ceremonies and religious services were held, followed by a traditional music show in Ţebea (Hunedoara County). In a message on this occasion, president Klaus Iohannis mentioned that Avram Iancu believed in the power of action and will be remembered as a fighter for social and national freedom. The head of state also mentioned Russias aggression against Ukraine and the revival of an “imperialist mindset.” The joint efforts of the international community, political dialogue rather than confrontation, and our goals, converging and complementary to those of NATO and the EU, will ensure the consolidation of European security and stability, especially in southeastern Europe and at the Black Sea, president Klaus Iohannis also said.



    9/11 In Bucharest, PM Nicolae Ciucă Sunday addressed a message of solidarity with the people of the USA, 21 years since the terrorist attacks of 2001. “The tragedy of the American nation, shared by the entire planet, struck at the heart of freedom and democracy: the trust in and respect for the other. We honour the memory of those who passed away and we stand by the survivors and rescuers in the terrorist attacks of 9/11,” the Romanian Prime Minister said. Mr. Ciucă also mentioned Romanias continued solidarity with the US, as reflected in the military cooperation between the 2 countries. “Our troops, in increasingly complex missions, have proved professionalism and dedication, contributing to the safeguarding of peace and democratic values. In the most important missions, in Iraq and Afghanistan, Romanian troops showed solidarity with their American partners, fighting together the worlds democracies against terrorism and defending fundamental rights and liberties,” reads the message. Nearly 3,000 people were killed 21 years ago by 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacking 4 aircraft.



    QUEEN The state funerals for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday, aged 96, will take place on the 19 September. Meanwhile, Britons will have several days to pay their respects to their former sovereign, first in Edinburgh and then in London, where the Queens coffin is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. On Saturday, King Charles III was proclaimed monarch, and today he was officially proclaimed head of state of Australia and New Zealand. The British monarch is the sovereign of 14 other countries apart from the UK, although with a largely ceremonial role. The King is also the head of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 countries, most of them former British colonies. For over 4 decades, King Charles has been involved in charities lobbying for environment and heritage conservation, but as head of state he will take on exclusively constitutional responsibilities. As a Prince of Wales, the new King has visited Romania almost every year for 2 decades, supporting a number of organisations and projects, especially in Transylvania, where he owns several estates. The UK Embassy in Bucharest opened an online condolence book for members of the public, but hundreds of Romanians went to the embassy offices to bring flowers and light candles for the Queen. The flag at the embassy office was flown at half-mast.



    FLIGHTS The national airline TAROM continues to repatriate the Romanians stranded in international airports after the private operator Blue Air suspended flights. On Sunday around 200 people were brought from Greeces Zakynthos and Rhodes islands, with another 200 to be repatriated on Monday, after 350 Romanian nationals were repatriated from Greece on Saturday. Four other special flights had previously been organised to Israel, Greece, Cyprus and Spain. Several thousand Romanians have been stranded in international airports since Tuesday night, when Blue Air announced it was suspending flights. Although the authorities have unfrozen the accounts of the airline, which had excessive debts to the Romanian state, Blue Air said it would only resume flights on 10 October. Blue Airs current estimated debts amount to EUR 230 mln.



    UKRAINE Since early September the Ukrainian army has freed some 2,000 sq.km of the countrys territory, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. Ukrainian forces are currently engaged in 2 counter-offensive campaigns, one in the south, targeting Herson, and the second one in the Kharkiv area in the north-east, where they entered the key cities of Kupyansk and Izyum. According to international media, these are the most important gains for Ukraine since early April, when the Russians were pushed out of Kyiv area. Reuters quotes a former chief of pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, Igor Girkin, as talking about a “major defeat” for Russia.



    NUCLEAR Operations at the Zaporozhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, controlled by Russian forces, have been fully stopped as a safety measure, Ukraines nuclear operator Energoatom announced on Sunday. Another emergency shut-down had been ordered in August. Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of shelling the nuclear plant, while president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the region around it to be demilitarised. (AMP)


  • January 24, 2022

    January 24, 2022

    CELEBRATION
    Today Romania celebrates 163 years since the Union of the Romanian
    Principalities, the first major step in the formation of the Romanian nation
    state, paving the way for the Great Union of 1918. On January 24, 1859,
    Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected ruler of Wallachia, after on January 5 he had
    become sovereign of Moldavia. His rule laid the foundations for modern Romania.
    January 24 is a banking holiday in Romania. While many people chose to spend
    the holiday in mountain resorts, the ones who stayed at home had the option of
    attending military and religious ceremonies and celebratory concerts organised
    around the country under COVID-19 restrictions. Bucharest’s Patriarchal
    Cathedral hosted a service devoted to all those who contributed to the 1859 Union.
    Politicians posted messages on this occasion. President Klaus Iohannis said the
    Union on January 24, 1859 proves the importance of a project able to bring
    together the energy of the Romanian nation, and urged people to work
    persistently to consolidate the country’s current European and democratic path.
    The Liberal PM Nicolae Ciucă pointed out that the Union was the result of the
    untiring efforts of the politicians of the time, driven by the nation’s dream
    of unity and of administrative, economic and social progress. This desire
    endured with all the following generations, triggering major changes in the
    Romanian society, Nicolae Ciucă added. In turn, the speaker of the Chamber of
    Deputies and president of the Social Democratic Party Marcel Ciolacu said that,
    163 years since the Union of the Romanian Principalities, what Romanians need
    more than ever is unity and stability, if they are to handle current economic,
    healthcare and security challenges.




    COVID-19 Romanian authorities announced today 12,082 new cases of SARS-CoV-2
    infections in 24 hours and 41 related deaths. The incidence rate in the capital
    Bucharest is on the rise, reaching 10.23 cases per thousand people. The city
    has been in the red tier since January 12, when the incidence rate went over 3
    per thousand. The COVID-19 testing capacity is set to increase this week to
    150,000 tests per day, as over 3,800 family physicians have signed contracts
    with public health insurance agencies in this respect. In Bucharest and the
    nearby county of Ilfov, where the largest number of cases is reported, testing
    centres have already been opened in 20 hospitals. On Wednesday at the latest
    COVID-19 testing will also be resumed in schools, after more than 10 million
    test kits were received by school inspectorates. The health minister Alexandru
    Rafila expects the current (5th) wave of the pandemic to reach its
    peak in Romania in about 3 weeks’ time.




    UKRAINE The European Union does not intend for the time being to follow in
    the footsteps of the US and order the families of its diplomats to leave
    Ukraine, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said today, according to
    France Presse and Reuters. On Sunday night a senior US official justified the
    decision saying that a Russian invasion may take place at any time. The US
    secretary of state Antony Blinken is to address a meeting of the EU foreign
    ministers in Brussels today, via video link, to update them on his recent talks
    with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Attending
    the meeting in Brussels is the Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu. Russia has deployed around 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border,
    which the West reads as a preparation for an attack designed to prevent Ukraine
    from joining NATO.




    DOCUMENTARY The French public TV channel France 3 tonight airs for the first
    time a documentary on Marie of Romania, the amazing queen of the
    Carpathians, as part of its highly popular history series Secrets
    of history. The production of the documentary took one year and a half.
    Archive photos and footage have been collected, along with testimonies by
    historians and members of the Royal House of Romania. Scenes have been shot at
    the Peleş and Bran castles in the southern Carpathians, at the Cotroceni
    National Museum in Bucharest and at the Curtea de Argeş Monastery where Royal
    House members have been buried. Queen Marie, the wife of King Ferdinand I, was
    acknowledged in Europe as an ambassador of the Romanian nation and a supporter
    of the Romanian nation state.




    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep lost to Alizé Cornet
    of France, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, in the round of 16 of the Australian Open in
    Melbourne today. For Halep (15 WTA) this was the first defeat after a string of
    8 consecutive wins. Also today, Sorana Cîrstea of Romania takes on seed no. 7 Iga
    Swiatek of Poland, in the same competition round. (A.M.P.)

  • January 22, 2022 UPDATE

    January 22, 2022 UPDATE


    COVID-19 19,371 new Covid cases and 48 related deaths were reported in Romania on Saturday. The number of fatalities is over 10 times smaller than at the peak of the previous wave of the pandemic, but the infection rate continues to grow, reaching 8.77 per thousand in Bucharest. The highest SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in the capital city (16.54 per thousand) was reached on 22nd October last year. The worst-case scenario considered by the authorities predicts up to 70,000 new cases per day in the first half of February. The health minister Alexandru Rafila says that 173 outpatient Covid-19 evaluation centres are already operational across the country, out of a planned 230.



    CELEBRATION The government of Romania celebrated on Saturday 160 years since the first government of Romania was formed, after the union of the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia was officially recognised. On this occasion, on the walls of Victoria Palace in the capital city Bucharest, which hosts the head offices of the government of Romania, images were projected during the evening, which are relevant for this milestone in Romanian history, such as the Romanian flag, the date when the first government of Romania was formed, namely 22nd of January, 1862 and the name of the countrys first prime minister, Barbu Catargiu. On Monday, which is a national holiday in Romania, 163 years since the union of the Romanian Principalities will be marked. On 24th January 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, elected ruler of Moldavia the previous week, was unanimously elected sovereign of Wallachia as well, and proclaimed ruler of the United Principalities. During his rule, the institutional foundations were laid for modern Romania.



    STRIKE Romanias capital city Bucharest found itself without above-ground public transportation means on Saturday as well. It was 3rd consecutive day of strike for the Bucharest Transport Corporation, although a court ruled the protest illegal. Unions stand by their demands, which include pay raises and the resignation of the corporations CEO. The drivers who refuse to work risk having their employment contracts terminated, said the Bucharest mayor general Nicusor Dan. He also said the City Hall made available a toll-free number for drivers to report whether they are prevented by their colleagues from going to work, and added that a criminal case has been opened in this respect. Meanwhile, the government is facing demands from trade unions in public education and healthcare as well.



    NATO On Friday NATO rejected Russias request for the pull-out of the Alliances troops in Bulgaria and Romania, and denounced the concept of spheres of influence, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. Russia requested guarantees from the US and NATO that the Alliance would not enlarge further eastwards, and demanded the withdrawal of the troops and equipment deployed to the countries that have joined the organisation since 1997. Also on Friday, the Pentagon announced a large-scale NATO naval exercise in the Mediterranean, amid tensions with Russia, which also announced major naval manoeuvres, AFP reports. Polands PM Mateusz Morawiecki called on European leaders to take a firm and united stand against Russia, in the context of fears that Moscow might plan an invasion of Ukraine. NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will provide Ukraine with US-made anti-armour and anti-aircraft missiles, the defence ministers of the 3 countries announced in a joint statement. In Romania, president Klaus Iohannis has called a meeting of the Supreme Defence Council on Wednesday. The meeting will focus on the security situation at the Black Sea and on NATOs eastern flank, and measures to develop resilience and response capabilities related to the new security challenges.



    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep qualified in the round of 16 of the Australian Open, after defeating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro, 6-2, 6-1, in the 3rd round of the tournament in Melbourne on Saturday. Halep (15 WTA and 14th seed), won the match in 64 minutes. It was the 8th consecutive win for the Romanian player this season. In the next round Simona Halep takes on Alizé Cornet of France (61 WTA). Also on Saturday, another Romanian, Sorana Cîrstea, won in the 3rd round against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, seed no 10. In the next round, Sorana Cîrstea will take on Iga Swiatek of Poland (9 WTA). (tr. A.M. Popescu)


  • January 22, 2022

    January 22, 2022

    COVID-19 19,371
    new Covid cases and 48 related deaths have been reported in Romania today. The
    number of fatalities is over 10 times smaller than at the peak of the previous
    wave of the pandemic, but the infection rate continues to grow, reaching 8.77
    per thousand in Bucharest. The highest SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in the capital
    city (16.54 per thousand) was reached on 22nd October last year. The
    worst-case scenario considered by the authorities predicts up to 70,000 new
    cases per day in the first half of February. The health minister Alexandru
    Rafila says that 173 outpatient Covid-19 evaluation centres are already
    operational across the country, out of a planned 230.




    NATO On Friday
    NATO rejected Russia’s request for the pull-out of the Alliance’s troops in
    Bulgaria and Romania, and denounced the concept of spheres of influence, NATO
    spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. Russia requested guarantees from the US and
    NATO that the Alliance would not enlarge further eastwards, and demanded the
    withdrawal of the troops and equipment deployed to the countries that have
    joined the organisation since 1997. Also on Friday, the Pentagon announced a
    large-scale NATO naval exercise in the Mediterranean, amid tensions with
    Russia, which also announced major naval manoeuvres, AFP reports. Poland’s PM
    Mateusz Morawiecki called on European leaders to take a firm and united stand
    against Russia, in the context of fears that Moscow might plan an invasion of
    Ukraine. NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will provide Ukraine with
    US-made anti-armour and anti-aircraft missiles, the defence ministers of the 3
    countries announced in a joint statement. In Romania, president Klaus Iohannis
    has called a meeting of the Supreme Defence Council on Wednesday. The meeting
    will focus on the security situation at the Black Sea and on NATO’s eastern
    flank, and measures to develop resilience and response capabilities related to
    the new security challenges.




    CELEBRATION
    The government of Romania celebrates today 160 years since the first government
    of Romania was formed, after the union of the principalities of Moldavia and
    Wallachia was officially recognised. On this occasion, on the walls of Victoria
    Palace in the capital city Bucharest, which hosts the head offices of the
    government of Romania, images will be projected during the evening, which are
    relevant for this milestone in Romanian history, such as the Romanian flag, the
    date when the first government of Romania was formed, namely 22nd of
    January, 1862 and the name of the country’s first prime minister, Barbu
    Catargiu. On Monday, which is a national holiday in Romania, 163 years since
    the union of the Romanian Principalities will be marked. On 24th
    January 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, elected ruler of Moldavia the previous week,
    was unanimously elected sovereign of Wallachia as well, and proclaimed ruler of
    the United Principalities. During his rule, the institutional foundations were
    laid for modern Romania.




    SOCIAL Romania’s capital city Bucharest finds itself without above-ground public
    transportation means on Saturday as well. It is for 3rd consecutive
    day of strike for the Bucharest Transport Corporation, although a court ruled
    the protest illegal. Unions stand by their demands, which include pay raises
    and the resignation of the corporation’s CEO. Meanwhile, the government and
    trade unions in public education are working to reach an agreement by 4th
    February, following a first round of negotiations after teachers went on strike
    on Wednesday. Unionists want pay raises, additional staff to be employed, and
    6% of GDP to be earmarked for public education. Public healthcare unions are
    also to discuss their demands next week with officials from the healthcare,
    finances and labour ministries.




    TENNIS The
    Romanian tennis player Simona Halep qualified in the round of 16 of the
    Australian Open, after defeating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro, 6-2, 6-1, in the
    3rd round of the tournament in Melbourne today. Halep (15 WTA and 14th
    seed), won the match in 64 minutes. It was the 8th consecutive win
    for the Romanian player this season. In the next round Simona Halep takes on Alizé Cornet of France (61 WTA). Also
    today, another Romanian, Sorana Cîrstea, is playing in the 3rd round
    against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, seed no 10. In the women’s doubles,
    Jaqueline Cristian (Romania) / Andrea Petkovic (Germany) qualified in the 8th-finals,
    having defeated the Slovenians Kaja Juvan / Tamara Zidansek, 6-4, 6-0, and are
    next to play agaist Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) / Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spain). (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • National Day, celebrated in Romania and abroad

    National Day, celebrated in Romania and abroad

    On the 1st December 1918, in Alba Iulia,
    central Romania, Transylvania joined the Kingdom of Romania, and that day is
    now celebrated by all Romanians as National Day.


    More than a century later, Romanians everywhere marked
    their National Day amid restrictions entailed by the coronavirus pandemic. In his
    address, president Klaus Iohannis said the country’s main goals are democracy, a
    future within the EU and strengthening the rule of law, so as to produce prosperity
    for all citizens. We are celebrating National Day at a time of suffering and concern.
    The COVID-19 pandemic is still the painful reality of our times, said Klaus
    Iohannis, but he also sent a message of encouragement, respect and gratitude:


    Klaus Iohannis: The lesson of solidarity is more useful and timely than
    ever. History has proved, time and again, that united we can adapt to any trends
    and occurrences and that overcoming all challenges depends on our determination,
    as a nation. Just like in so many other critical moments in our past, we have today
    the necessary resources, the right instruments and the will to succeed. So I urge
    you all to look ahead with hope!


    In Bucharest, some 1,500 troops and over 100 vehicles
    took part in the traditional military parade at the Arch of Triumph, while
    around 30 military aircraft flew over the city. It was the second parade since
    the pandemic broke out, but the first that the public were able to attend.


    Thousands also attended the military parade in Alba
    Iulia, in which over 500 troops, accompanied by land and air combat equipment,
    took part. The ceremonies continued with folklore performances and a drone show.


    In Timișoara (west), National Day was celebrated with
    a military and religious ceremony, followed by a brief march by the Guard of
    Honour.


    On the National Day of Romania, we thank you for your
    friendship and for all the good things we have done and will do together in the
    future, the president of the neighbouring Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu said
    in a message.


    Celebrations were organised around the world, either
    by Romania’s diplomatic offices abroad or by Romanian communities. In Israel, National
    Day was marked in Tel Aviv by Romanian and Israeli officials, who praised the
    bilateral relations and the growing cooperation between the 2 countries.

    The Romanian
    Embassy in Italy organised a concert in the presence of over 600 Romanian and
    Italian politicians, diplomats, and other participants. Romania’s National Day reminds
    us, first and foremost, of the will of our forefathers, of our cultural,
    political and diplomatic elites, to fight for the ideal of national unity, the
    Ambassador of Romania to London, Laura Popescu, said in turn in a message to
    all Romanians. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • 162 years since the Union of the Romanian Principalities

    162 years since the Union of the Romanian Principalities

    This Sunday Romanians celebrated 162 years since the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia came together into one state, completed later in 1918.



    In Bucharest and elsewhere in the country, symbolic events were held, constrained by pandemic containment measures. Cultural institutions in the country organised theatre productions and concerts, most of them available online. Special religious services were held in all Orthodox churches, and the Defence Ministry organised military ceremonies at various monuments devoted to the Union of Principalities.



    In Iaşi (north-east) and Bucharest, the capitals of the 2 provinces that in 1859 elected the same ruler, Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859 – 1866), several events took place. In a military ceremony in Bucharest, flowers were laid at the foot of the rulers statue.



    In a message occasioned by the anniversary, president Klaus Iohannis said the heritage of those who fought for the Union to be accomplished in 1859 is the sound foundation on which Romanias modernisation process must continue, and that one of the key directions in this respect is strengthening the education sector in order for it to provide accessible and high-quality education.



    The Union of Romanian Principalities under Alexandru Ioan Cuza reminds us that the power to meet our goals, as a nation, is rooted in our unity, PM Florin Cîţu said in his turn. It is united that we have achieved the guarantee of Romanias one and a half decade-long Euro-Atlantic integration process. It is united that we have proved that we can prevent severe sideslips and can rescue democracy when an oppressive power worked against the people. And it is also united that we will manage to safeguard our health and to help our economy recover after the pandemic, the PM said in a social media post.



    162 years on, it is time the Union were completed by Moldavia having proper transport infrastructure, so that it may attract large-scale investments, the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Ludovic Orban said in his turn in a ceremony in Focşani (east).



    In fact, in Iași (north-east), the traditional speeches and performances, including the Union Round Dance, were accompanied by a protest organised just before the planned ceremonies by an Association called Together for A8. The participants demanded the funding and completion of A8 Motorway connecting Targu Mures in central Romania to Iasi and further to Ungheni in the Republic of Moldova:



    “We have chosen the Union Day because this motorway is dubbed the Union Motorway. Unfortunately, the latest messages are that this is impossible, that it is a difficult project, that we cannot be sure it will be completed by 2030. We want to see this motorway done during our lifetime. A8 Motorway is vital for Moldavia. It is the avenue to the development of the region and to Western European standards.



    Similar Union Day celebrations were held abroad as well. Romanias Embassy to the Holy See and the Romanian Language Institute organised an online event entitled “The 1859 Union of Romanian Principalities, a tribute to Romanian culture. (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

  • The Week in Review August 10-17

    The Week in Review August 10-17

    State of alert to be extended in Romania


    A 30-day extension period for the state of alert has been put in place in Romania, as the current state of alert ends on August 15. The Government has issued the decision against the backdrop of a significant increase in COVID-19 infections and because of the reported deaths caused by the new Coronavirus. The plight this week has seen its highest since the outbreak of the pandemic. Healthcare Minister Nelu Tataru has stated the number of cases would increase the coming week as well, since most people are on vacation.



    Nelu Tataru:



    “The summer season is in full swing, while relaxation is at its highest. We are at a time when we deal with an appreciable number of infection cases, weve been carrying tests on an extensive scale for COVID-19 infection suspects and a side effect of that will be the great number of people who test positive for the infection. Whats most important for us is to maintain the capability to manage infection cases in the context of clinical symptoms and here Im mainly speaking about cases of medium difficulty, but also about severe and most serious cases, requiring ICU therapy, where our resources are limited.”



    Healthcare Minister Nelu Tataru went on to say that in hospitals countrywide, more than 1,000 beds were available in Intensive Care Units, with mechanical ventilators in place for patients in highly critical condition.



    Government report on how the pandemic has been managed in Romania, presented before Parliament



    Romanias Prime Minister Ludovic Orban in Parliament on Wednesday presented a report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has been managed across the country. Prime Minister Orban also provided the Parliament with the measures to be taken in order to contain the number of infections. Other key points of the presentation were the organization of the local elections on September 27 and the issue of opening the school year in September. PM Orban presented the report at a time when in the last couple of weeks, Romania has seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and of people who died because of the virus, and at that, the Prime Minister said, the healthcare system has been stretched beyond its limits. Ludovic Orban explained the number of infections saw their peak at a time when no legislation was available for the Government pertaining to quarantine and lockdown, following a decision the countrys Constitutional Court took to that end, and because relaxation measures were introduced gradually across the country. PM Orban emphasized that, as soon as Parliament made available all the legal instruments required, which are in place in all European states, the Government could in turn implement the measures that were most needed under the circumstances. Orban called on MPs to back the governments effort to persuade people the solution to contain the spread of the virus was to comply with the regulations that have been put in place. PM Ludovic Orban also said that since March to the present day the daily testing capacity has enhanced significantly, from 4,500 tests to 25,000 tests. Also, control operations have been carried much more often and a great number of fines have been placed in the case of wrongdoers. The Prime Minister reiterated the fact that September 14 was the date when the new schoolyear would start in Romania. Ludovic Orban also specified that wearing a protection mask would be compulsory in the schools where classes will be resumed on a normal basis. Orban went on to say disinfectants must be made available in all educational units and, wherever possible, transparent partitions will be installed as a supplementary protection measure. PM Orban also broached the issue of local elections, specifying elections could be organized with no higher risk of infection. Ludovic Orban also emphasized that everybodys safety entirely depended on candidates and supporters being honest and compliant during the election process. Interim President of the opposition Social Democratic Party, Marcel Ciolacu, lambasted the Liberal Government for literally destroying the economy. Ciolacu went on to say the Government did little, if anything, to make sure schools welcomed pupils and staff for the new schoolyear in safe conditions. According to Ciolacu, the Liberals had the local mayors and school principals bear the burden of such an undertaking.



    Worrying economic statistics



    The National Statistics Institute has reported a 12.3% decrease in the second quarter this year as compared to the first quarter, and a decrease standing at 10.5% as against the second quarter in 2019. Finance Minister Florin Citu Thursday evening announced the National Statistics and Prognosis Commission had also revised its estimates for Romanias economic progress in 2020. According to Citu, the institutions forecast for the countrys economic contraction went up to 3.8 % as against the previously reported percentage, standing at 1.8%. The European Commission has published the economic forecast for the summer and at that, a sharp drop will be reported for Romanias GDP in 2020, standing at 6 %. Finance Minister Florin Citu also announced the reported 6.7% budget deficit would go up to 8.6% of the GDP. According to Citu, the increase was caused by a drop in budget revenues triggered by the economic crisis and an increase in expenditure generated by the efforts to contain the sanitary crisis. For the present budget rectification, the second one this year, Romanias Finance Minister pledged more sums of money would be earmarked for the healthcare, education and transport sectors. Citu also vowed the present budget rectification would also provide sums for increased pensions.



    Celebratory events held on Romanians Navy Day, and events held on the National Day of the commemoration of the Brancovan martyrs, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.



    The 2020 edition of Romanian Navy Day, each year celebrated on August 15, this year also marks 160 years since the Romanian Naval Forces have been established. Quite unlike the previous years, for their great part events have moved online, since everything has been adapted to the new measures that have been implemented to contain the spread of the COVID-19 infections. In another move, through a recent parliamentary decision, August 16 is the day when, for the first time ever, the National Day for the commemoration of the Brancovan Martyrs is observed, also as an awareness-raising day of violence targeting Christians. The eventual aim of observing such a day is to keep the laypublic informed on the role Christianity played in the history of Romania, as well as on the origins and scope of the persecution of Christians. In 2020, the aforementioned commemoration takes place on the same day when the Sunday of Romanian migrants is observed. The day has been dedicated to Romanian migrants since 2009. It is observed on the first Sunday after the Orthodox feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God.


    (Translation by Eugen Nasta)




  • Jean Barbat (France) – Y a-t-il des couples qui font des fiançailles ?

    Jean Barbat (France) – Y a-t-il des couples qui font des fiançailles ?

    Les fiançailles existent depuis le temps des Romains, elles sont mentionnées dans le droit romain. Cette institution existait déjà dans les dispositions légales depuis 1652 en Moldavie, et depuis 1894 en Transylvanie. En 1939, elle figurait dans le Code civil roumain de cette année-là, qui a été adopté, mais n’est jamais entré en vigueur. L’institution des fiançailles est nouvellement introduite dans le Code civil roumain entré en vigueur en 2011. Selon ce Code, les fiançailles constituent la promesse mutuelle de se marier.



    En tout cas, il n’y a pas de formalités à accomplir pour se fiancer avec l’élu(e) de votre cœur. Il n’est pas nécessaire de s’être fiancé(e) avant de se marier. Pour célébrer des fiançailles, les conditions sont en principe les mêmes que pour célébrer un mariage. Il s’agit du consentement librement exprimé et personnel des fiancés, qui doivent avoir 18 ans ou, pour des raisons bien fondées, 16 ans, avec l’accord des parents ou du tuteur. Les personnes qui se fiancent doivent être de sexe différent, car les fiançailles ne peuvent être célébrées autrement. Il ne faut pas que les personnes soient déjà fiancées. Il faut savoir que les fiançailles entre le tuteur et la personne mineure à sa charge sont interdites, et aussi entre un aliéné mental et un débile mental. Interdiction également pour les proches de se fiancer — entre parents et enfants ou entre grands-parents et petits-enfants, entre frères et sœurs, entre oncles ou tantes et neveux ou nièces, entre les cousins germains, sauf motifs solides lorsqu’un tribunal se prononce en vertu d’un avis médical spécial.



    Les fiançailles peuvent être prouvées par tout moyen de preuve, tout comme la rupture des fiançailles, d’ailleurs. Celui qui rompt les fiançailles ne peut pas être contraint de célébrer le mariage. En cas de rupture des fiançailles, les cadeaux que les fiancés ont reçus à cet effet ou aux fins du mariage, à l’exception des cadeaux usuels, doivent être restitués, d’habitude en nature, dans un délai d’un an après la rupture. Si les fiançailles ont cessé par le décès de l’un des fiancés, les cadeaux ne doivent pas être rendus. Si l’une des parties rompt les fiançailles de manière abusive ou détermine l’autre à le faire, elle peut être tenue de dédommager l’autre partie pour les frais exposés en vue du mariage ou pour d’autres préjudices.



    Le Synode de l’Eglise orthodoxe roumaine, majoritaire, a décidé en 2011 que les fiançailles religieuses ne soient plus autorisées séparément de la célébration du mariage religieux. Quelle que soit la façon dont vous demandiez à la belle d’être votre fiancée, il est de mise de le faire d’une manière romantique, originale, inattendue. Et aussi de lui offrir une bague de fiançailles, qui consacre l’idée d’être fidèles à jamais l’un à l’autre. Les fiancés peuvent porter chacun une bague ou seule la fiancée la porte.



    La fête des fiançailles est un événement pour annoncer la grande nouvelle aux proches. Avant, c’étaient les parents de la future mariée qui l’organisaient, mais maintenant, ce sont les fiancés eux-mêmes qui s’en occupent. La fête peut être très différente selon les préférences des protagonistes. Bien entendu, il y a même des superstitions liées à cet événement ; on dit par exemple que ceux qui se fiancent mardi, mercredi ou vendredi n’auront pas de chance. On dit aussi que les bagues de fiançailles et les alliances doivent être en or pour que le mariage soit tout aussi beau et durable que ce métal. Voilà, M Barbat.

  • 14.05.2020

    14.05.2020

    Etat d’alerte -
    Le premier ministre roumain Ludovic Orban vient d’annoncer l’institution de l’état
    d’alerte en Roumanie, à compter de ce 15 mai, au bout de deux mois d’état d’urgence,
    dans le contexte de la pandémie de coronavirus. Le Parlement a adopté, avec des
    modifications, hier soir, le projet législatif déposé par le gouvernement. L’acte
    normatif se réfère à un certain nombre de restrictions de déplacement, que les
    sénateurs avaient éliminées du texte gouvernemental, mardi, à l’ouverture
    éventuelle des terrasses, en respectant les mesures sanitaires et de
    distanciation physique, ainsi qu’à la réouverture des centres commerciaux de
    moins de 15.000 mètres carrés. Pour ce qui est des amendes encourues en cas de non-respect
    des mesures imposées par les autorités, elles ne pourront pas dépasser 15.000
    de lei (environ 3.000 euros). Le projet adopté par les élus restera encore deux
    jours au Parlement, à l’attente d’une éventuelle saisine formulée auprès de la
    Cour constitutionnelle, et ensuite sera remis au chef de l’Etat pour
    promulgation.
















    Gouvernement -
    Le gouvernement de Bucarest se réunit aujourd’hui pour examiner un paquet de
    mesures de soutien aux entreprises et aux personnes défavorisées. Il est
    question, entre autres, du paiement du chômage partiel dans les secteurs
    économiques qui restent à l’arrêt et de l’aide financière accordée aux parents
    jusqu’à la fin de l’année scolaire. L’Exécutif planche aussi sur un programme d’aide
    financière aux grandes compagnies, pour qu’elles relancent leur production,
    selon le modèle déjà mis en place à l’intention des PME.










    Travailleurs saisonniers – La ministre roumaine du travail et de la solidarité
    sociale, Violeta Alexandru, a discuté au téléphone avec son homologue espagnol
    Jose Luis Escriva des contrats de travail signés par les travailleurs saisonniers
    roumains en Espagne. La ministre roumaine a insisté sur l’importance des
    clauses contractuelles concernant la durée du préavis, le remboursement du
    voyage aller-retour et l’assurance-maladie pour les citoyens roumains. Violeta
    Alexandru a annoncé une future discussion sur le même sujet avec son homologue
    de France, après avoir fait savoir, il y a quelques jours, son intention de se
    rendre en Allemagne pour vérifier les conditions de travail des travailleurs
    roumains. La ministre du travail de Bucarest a demandé aux travailleurs
    roumains embauchés à l’étranger de ne pas accepter de travailler au noir.


    Agriculture – Le
    ministre roumain de l’agriculture, Adrian Oros, affirme que l’adaptation rapide
    des réglementations de la Politique Agricole Commune est essentielle pour avoir de
    la flexibilité qui aide les Etats membres de l’Union européenne à continuer à
    soutenir les fermiers et d’autres catégories de bénéficiaires de la PAC. Le
    ministre roumain a participé à une visioconférence des ministres communautaires
    de l’agriculture et de la pêche, où il a demandé de l’aide financière directe
    par le Fonds européen de garantie agricole (FEGA) pour les producteurs de lait,
    de viande porc et de volailles, similaire à l’aide accordée à la Roumanie en
    2015 et 2016, durant l’embargo contre la Russie. Par ailleurs, concernant le
    secteur vitivinicole touché de plein fouet par la fermeture de l’industrie
    hôtelière et de la restauration, le ministre roumain de l’agriculture a précisé
    qu’il avait demandé à la Commission européenne d’accepter l’utilisation de l’argent,
    disponible pour le programme national vigne-et-vin, dans le but d’éviter l’abandon
    des plantations viticoles créées à travers les programmes de reconversion.









    Covid-19 en Roumanie – La Roumanie se prépare à entrer dans l’état d’alerte, qui remplace l’état
    d’urgence, décrété il y a deux mois, sur fond de pandémie de coronavirus. Le
    ministre de l’intérieur, Marcel Vela, a annoncé hier soir l’adoption d’une nouvelle
    ordonnance d’urgence, la 12-e, qui lève la quarantaine instituée dans la ville
    de Suceava (nord-est) et dans les communes limitrophes, où il y a eu des foyers
    de Covid-19. Lundi, les autorités avaient annoncé des mesures similaires
    concernant la petite ville de Ţăndărei (sud). Le ministre de l’intérieur a de
    nouveau appelé la population à respecter les mesures de protection contre le
    nouveau coronavirus et de distanciation physique, après la fin de l’état d’urgence.
    Et lui d’ajouter que les ordonnances militaires de cette période ont eu pour
    but de protéger l’état de santé des gens ; il a aussi remercié ceux qui
    ont fait preuve de responsabilité. Le plus récent bilan officiel indique, pour
    la Roumanie, 1036 décès et plus de 16.000 cas confirmés d’infection au virus
    SARS-CoV-2. Plus de 9.000 personnes infectées ont été déclarées guéries et ne
    sont plus hospitalisées. Quant aux Roumains de l’étranger, plus de 2855 sont
    infectés au nouveau coronavirus, la plupart d’entre eux se trouvant en Italie, en
    Espagne et en Allemagne, tandis que 102 ressortissants roumains sont décédés,
    principalement au Royaume-Uni, en Italie et en France.












    Pandémie – En Espagne, un des pays européens les plus touchés par la
    pandémie de Covid-19, seulement 5,3% de la population a été infectée par le
    nouveau coronavirus, indiquent une étude scientifique sur les anticorps
    spécifiques. L’immunité collective n’a pas été acquise, puisque, pour cela, il
    faudrait que 60-70% de la population
    soit infectée. Par ailleurs, les autorités espagnoles ont annoncé qu’à partir
    du 15 mai, tous les voyageurs en provenance de l’étranger seraient mis en
    quarantaine pour une période de 14 jours. A Rome, le gouvernement italien
    propose de prolonger, jusqu’au 31 janvier prochain, l’état d’urgence imposé
    pour limiter la propagation du coronavirus, bien que les dernières données
    indiquent une baisse des nouveaux cas de contamination. Aux Etats-Unis, le
    FBI et l’Agence cybernétique du Département de la Sécurité intérieure avertissent
    que des hackers proches du gouvernement chinois tentent de pirater les sites
    des institutions américaines impliquées dans la mise au point de vaccins et de
    traitements spécifiques contre la COVID-19. Les deux structures ont demandé aux
    institutions en questions de renforcer leur sécurité informatique. Dans le
    monde le nombre de malades de Covid-19 a dépassé les 4,4 millions, plus de 298.000
    ayant perdu la vie et plus de 1,6 ayant guérie de cette maladie. Les
    Etats-Unis, le pays le plus touché au monde, enregistre plus de 84.000 morts.
    Sur le continent européen, ce sont le Royaume Unie, l’Italie, l’Espagne et la France
    qui enregistrent le plus grand nombre de décès.


    Célébration – En Roumanie, le 14 mai c’est la Journée nationale d’hommage aux martyrs des prisons communistes. Il y a 72 ans, dans la nuit du 14 mai 1948, des dizaines de milliers de jeunes, des étudiants pour la plupart, ont été arrêtés sur la base d’un plan minutieusement mis au point par les autorités communistes de l’époque. Ce fut la plus importante vague d’arrestations politiques de l’histoire du pays.






    Météo – Une alerte jaune aux
    vents forts est en vigueur sur plus de la moitié du territoire de la Roumanie,
    notamment dans le nord, le centre et l’ouest du pays. Les
    températures sont très élevées pour la mi-mai, surtout dans le sud et le
    sud-est. En milieu de
    journée, le thermomètre affiche entre 25° et 34°. A Bucarest, il y avait
    24°, à midi.

  • La Roumanie – le jour de la Fête nationale

    La Roumanie – le jour de la Fête nationale

    Devenue Fête
    nationale après la Révolution anti-communiste de 1989, la date du 1-er décembre
    marque la fin du processus de constitution de l’Etat national unitaire roumain
    en 1918, à la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale, lorsque toutes les provinces
    à population roumaine majoritaire des empires multinationaux de la région sont
    entrées sous l’autorité de Bucarest.

    C’est la fête la plus émouvante et un symbole de liberté de
    la nation roumaine, c’est aussi une fête de la démocratie, de nos droits et
    libertés fondamentales, a affirmé le président roumain,
    Klaus Iohannis, qui a assisté au traditionnel défilé militaire sous l’Arc de
    Triomphe de Bucarest et qui a offert ensuite une réception officielle. Le chef
    de l’Etat a rappelé qu’en plus des 101 années depuis la Grande Union, 2019
    marquait aussi trois décennies écoulées depuis la Révolution anticommuniste de
    décembre 1989. Les Roumains ont défendu la démocratie dans la rue mais aussi
    dans l’isoloir, a rappelé M. Iohannis, ajoutant qu’il souhaitait voir ses
    compatriotes partis à l’étranger revenir en Roumanie. « L’Union
    est notre fête à tous, quel que soit l’endroit où nous nous trouvons. J’aimerais
    que les Roumains qui vivent aujourd’hui ailleurs sur la planète rentrent à la
    maison, qu’ils y retrouvent une Roumaine fonctionnelle, un pays normal, qui leur
    offre la chance d’un avenir meilleur et leur assure un niveau de vie décent. Je
    crois que ce souhait peut devenir réalité et c’est à nous de rendre cela
    possible. »    , a souligné le chef de l’Etat.


    Des
    milliers de personnes, dont d’importants leaders politiques et personnalités de
    la société roumaine, ont assisté au défilé de près de 4.000 militaires roumains
    et représentants de plus de 20 pays alliés ou partenaires. 50 aéronefs ont
    survolé la capitale, alors que 200 véhicules militaires ont rejoint les
    troupes, avenue Kisselef. La Fête nationale s’est aussi déclinée à Alba Iulia,
    ville symbole de la Grande Union, sous la devise « La première année du
    nouveau siècle ». Présent aux festivités de ce lieu historique du centre
    du pays, le premier ministre Ludovic Orban a salué l’assistance, rappelant l’importance
    de la date du 1-er décembre dans l’histoire des Roumains. Après un Te Deum officié
    par de hauts prélats de l’Eglise orthodoxe roumaine à la Cathédrale de l’Union,
    1.400 militaires et représentants du ministère de l’Intérieur ont défilé dans
    les rues d’Alba Iulia. La Fête nationale a été célébrée dans toutes les villes
    de Roumanie, mais aussi dans les pays où vivent des Roumains qui n’ont pas
    oublié leur pays natal. Des cérémonies militaires ont eu lieu en Afghanistan, dans
    les Balkans occidentaux, au Mali et en Irak, ainsi qu’en Pologne, là où sont
    déployés des contingents roumains.

    A Bucarest, le président du Sénat, Teodor
    Meleşcanu, soulignait, dans un message, que la Fête nationale ramenait au
    premier plan les idéaux d’union, de prospérité et de liberté que nous devons
    chérir et poursuivre afin de rendre la Roumanie toujours plus forte. A son
    tour, le président de la Chambre des députés, Marcel Ciolacu, a exhorté les
    Roumains à surmonter les obstacles pour faire progresser la Roumanie. (Trad.:
    Ileana Ţăroi)

  • October 25, 2019 UPDATE

    October 25, 2019 UPDATE

    ARMY DAY President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday that the regional and global security environment is continually changing, and Romania needs a strong and well trained army, able to further contribute to promoting security and stability in the region, to the fulfilment of its NATO commitments and to implementing the Common Defence and Security Policy in Europe. The statement was occasioned by the Romanian Army Day, celebrated with special events at military units and memorial sites across the country. Military ceremonies and cultural and educational activities were also organised in the theatres of operations abroad where Romanian troops are deployed. Flowers were also laid at memorial sites celebrating Romanian soldiers in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Moldova and Hungary. On the 25th of October 1944, the Romanian Army freed northern Transylvania from Horthy occupation and continued to fight on the territories of Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Austria alongside the Allied troops, contributing to the great victory of May 9th 1945 that marked the end of WWII in Europe.



    NATO Defence ministers from NATO member countries discussed in Brussels on Thursday and Friday about Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, the training mission in Iraq, and Operation KFOR. According to a news release issued by the Romanian Defence Ministry, participants analysed the implementation of the NATO initiative to enhance the Allied forces interoperability, response and generation capacities. They also exchanged opinions on the fair sharing of responsibilities within the organisation. Representing Romania, the state secretary for defence policy Doru Frunzulică talked about the need for a stronger NATO presence in Romania, to counter the threats and volatile security situation at the Black Sea.



    BREXIT The ambassadors of the 27 EU member states had not made a decision on Friday as regards the postponed date of Britains exit from the Union. According to Radio Romanias correspondent, attending the meeting of EU ambassadors was also the blocs chief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, who described the talks as excellent. The diplomats agreed that a deferral is called for, but are still trying to reach a consensus on its exact duration. The UK has officially requested a postponement to the end of January. A new meeting of the EU ambassadors will take place early next week.



    TENNIS The Romanian Simona Halep was drawn in the Purple Group of the WTA Finals in Shenzhen (China), scheduled to take place between October 27 and November 3. She plays in the same group with the Romanian-born Canadian Bianca Andreescu, the Czech Karolina Pliskova and the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, according to Fridays draw release. The Red Group includes world no. 1 Ashleigh Barty, of Australia, Japans Naomi Osaka, the Czeck Petra Kvitova and the Swiss Belinda Bencic. Halep, no 5 in the world and winner of this years Wimbledon trophy, takes part in the tournament of the worlds elite eight for the sixth time in her career. This years edition offers record-high prizes, 14 million US dollars, twice as much as last year.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)