Radio România Internațional

Tag: centennial

  • Centennial of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate

    Centennial of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate

    In 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church marks 140 years since the recognition of its Autocephaly (April 25th, 1885) and 100 years since its elevation to the rank of Patriarchate (February 4th, 1925). We talked with the historian Dragoș Ursu from the National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia to find out details about the symbolic significance of the centennial: “After the unions of 1918 of Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania, we were in another church register in which the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodoxy, was the most relevant. At least that was the case from a quantitative point of view and not only at that time, because we know that in Soviet Russia there was an ongoing process of repression of the Church, the Russian Church being almost abolished. Thus, the Romanian Orthodoxy was the strongest at that time and, first of all, the question of church unification arose. At the time, in 1918, after the formation of Greater Romania, we had four different church traditions: the Kingdom, the Metropolitan Bishopric of Transylvania, the Metropolitan Bishopric of Bukovina, which belonged to the Austrian side of the Austro-Hungarian dualism, and the Metropolitan Bishopric of Bessarabia, subject to a Russification process for more than 100 years. Somehow, all four of these traditions had to be brought together. It was a process that ran successfully for six years, ending in 1925. Along with the church unifications there arose the issue of proclaiming the Romanian Patriarchate, a church of such magnitude, with more than 15 million believers, which, at that time, was the most vigorous Orthodox church, I would say, if we consider our local patriotism. The ecumenical patriarchate was under pressure from the Turks, the new Turkish republic, and the Russian Church was under pressure from the Soviet state. Thus, Romanian Orthodoxy was the strongest and deserved this patriarchate status.”

     

    Eventually, 1925 was the year of the completion of a process that symbolically, politically and administratively endorsed the new entity. Dragoș Ursu is back with details: “The year begins with the meeting of the Synod on February 4, 1925, when, at the proposal of Metropolitan Bishop Nectarie of Bukovina, the decision to elevate it to the rank of Patriarchate is approved. Then, it passes through the Senate and is approved by Parliament. In the summer and autumn of 1925, in August and September, the Ecumenical Patriarchate gives the ‘tomos’ or the law which recognized, from its point of view, the Church that until then had patronized the Romanian Orthodox Church. And on November 1, 1925, a symbolic ceremony takes places to enthrone the Metropolitan Primate Miron Cristea as Patriarch of Romania. The process of what we call the elevation to the rank of Patriarchate covers two elements: on the one hand, the ecclesiastical unification of the four Orthodox institutional traditions after the 1918 political unions of Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania, and on the other hand, implicitly, the recognition of this new Church, much larger and much stronger, at the level of the entire European and global Orthodoxy by raising it to the rank of Patriarchate.”

     

    We asked Dragoș Ursu how could one sum up the merits of the six Romanian Orthodox patriarchs so far?: “If we make a brief review of the patriarchs, we can say that Miron Cristea was the patriarch of the unification and the first patriarch of the Orthodox Church who laid the foundations for the institutional and theological-educational development of the Church. Nicodim Munteanu, the second patriarch, is the patriarch of war and dictatorships. His patriarchate of 9 years, between 1939-1948, had this misfortune, it overlapped all the dictatorships, that of Carol II, of Ion Antonescu, of the Legionary Movement, the war and the process of turning Romania into a communist country, process that came at the end of his patriarchate. Then we have the controversial figure of Iustinian Marina, on the one hand seen as the Red Patriarch who collaborated with the communist regime, and, on the other hand, from the perspective of the Church, seen as the one who managed to save the Church in the sense of institutional consolidation to face the pressure of the communist regime. Then, we have the patriarch Iustin with a short patriarchate, also for 9 years, in which he had theological and cultural initiatives, initiating projects related to the theology of the Church. But he also had the misfortune of the pressure of the Ceaușescu regime, of the beginning of Bucharest’s urban planning and the demolition of churches. Next is the patriarch Teoctist, also seen from two perspectives: on the one hand, his name is linked to the end of communism and the close relationship with the Ceaușescu regime, an, on the other, he was the patriarch of transition, of European integration. If we think about it, he was the patriarch during whose rule Pope John Paul II came to Romania, on a symbolic visit in 1999, the first visit of a pope to a predominantly Orthodox country. Last but not least, we have the current patriarch. It is difficult to evaluate someone who is still alive, for a historian it is more difficult to evaluate the present. But we can see the figure of Patriarch Daniel as the one who supports the development of the Church, especially in the diaspora, as the Church followed the Romanians in the diaspora. The development of the Church in Bessarabia can also be attributed to him, especially in the current context of the war. We see that Romanian Orthodoxy in Bessarabia is consolidating, and this is a good sign. Last but not least, he is the patriarch of the National Cathedral, this project that had been envisaged by the very Miron Cristea in 1925, since the establishment of the Patriarchate, a project that the chances to be completed under the current patriarch’s rule.”

     

    The history of the centennial of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate coincides with that of the 20th century, as the people lived it and as the historians researched it. Other challenges will surely follow, the answers to which will be given by those who will face them. (LS)

  • February 4, 2025 UPDATE 2

    February 4, 2025 UPDATE 2

    BUDGET In Bucharest, the draft law on the 2025 state budget and social security budget were discussed in Parliament’s specialist committees on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies will meet in a plenary session to review the two bills, and the final vote is scheduled for Thursday. The discussions and the vote in Parliament are predictable, as the MPs of the ruling coalition (PSD-PNL-UDMR) have a majority. The draft budget for this year, based on a 2.5% economic growth rate and a budget deficit of 7% of GDP, was passed by the Cabinet on Saturday. ‘It is a restrained budget, based on a prudent forecast. It is a balanced budget, and in addition to investments, we have enough funds to pay salaries and pensions,’ the finance minister Tanczos Barna said.

     

    ECONOMY Romania is ‘a politically and economically stable and safe country,’ oriented towards investment and reform, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Tuesday at a meeting with World Bank officials in Bucharest. ‘Our country is a regional pillar of security and economic stability for Europe and for the Strategic Partnership with the US,’ the PM added. According to a news release issued by the government, Bucharest sees the WB as a partner for its goals and continues to rely on the funding and know-how provided by the group. During the meeting, the participants reviewed jointly-developed projects in the fields of healthcare and emergency management. The World Bank officials welcomed the Government’s reform plan and the attention paid to investments, noting that Romania is a strong and resilient partner. I am confident that together we will continue to implement the ongoing projects and expand the portfolio with new investments in energy, green transition, infrastructure and other areas with growth potential, WB executive director Eugene Rhuggenaath said. The institution’s representatives also appreciated the support offered by Romania to the neighboring Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as its contribution to ensuring stability in the region.

     

    MEETING At a meeting on Tuesday with the European Commission executive vice-president in charge of social rights and skills, quality jobs and training, Roxana Mînzatu, President Klaus Iohannis emphasised the critical role of education in fighting disinformation and manipulation, as well as in strengthening the democratic resilience of European societies. According to a news release issued by the Presidency, the topics on the agenda included the social dimension of European Union policies, ways to increase the EU’s global competitiveness, the Union’s strategy with respect to preparedness and resilience in the face of challenges, EU approaches to education and the involvement of the Romanian education system in the European context. In turn, the EC executive vice-president presented the main priorities of the new Commission, including in the areas of employment, social rights and EU-funded educational programs in Romania, as well as preparedness for crisis situations. On Monday and Tuesday in Bucharest Roxana Mînzatu also had talks with PM Marcel Ciolacu, with the Senate Speaker Ilie Bolojan, and with the Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Ciprian Şerban, about key EU and national priorities, with an emphasis on education, the labor market, social cohesion and the management of European funds.

     

    CHURCH The Romanian Orthodox Church (the majority denomination in Romania) Tuesday celebrated 100 years since its promotion to the rank of Patriarchate. According to Patriarch Daniel, this anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but also a call to gratitude towards our ancestors and a reflection on the role of our Church in the life of the Romanian people. The Romanian Patriarchate was, throughout its 100-year existence, an unquenchable torch of faith and national unity, he said. In turn, president Klaus Iohannis said the centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate is a moment of historic importance for the entire Romanian Orthodox Church and for believers in the country and in Romanian communities abroad.  According to experts, Specialists recall that the Romanian Patriarchate was born on February 4, 1925, in a historical context marked by the Great Union of 1918, which brought together all the historical Romanian provinces in a one nation state.

     

    MOLDOVA The European Union Tuesday allocated a new EUR 250 mln financial envelope to support the Republic of Moldova in 2025 in the face of Moscow’s ‘energy blackmail,’ after the halt in Russian gas supplies to the breakaway region of Transnistria, AFP reports. ‘Today we are taking an essential step to (…) help the Republic of Moldova regain control over its energy destiny,’ the EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who is on an official visit to Chisinau, posted on a social network. In turn, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced Moscow’s use of ‘energy to blackmail people’, promising to offer the former Soviet republic ‘full integration into the EU energy market, decoupling it from Russia ‘. After the war started in neighboring Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova says a ‘hybrid war’ is orchestrated by Russia, including the energy crisis, disinformation and electoral interference. Chisinau is facing a suspension of Gazprom supplies to Transnistria via Ukraine, after a transit agreement between Kiyv and Moscow came to an end. (AMP)

  • Greater Romania and the sacrifice it required

    Greater Romania and the sacrifice it required

    On October 16, 1922, after
    the grand ceremony in which King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie were crowned as
    sovereigns of Greater Romania in the Alba Iulia Cathedral, the Triumphal Arch
    was also inaugurated. The royal procession, with representatives of European
    countries, military units and floats paraded under it at the time. In 2022, the
    centennial of the Coronation is also the centennial of the Triumphal Arch, the
    first permanent monument of this kind in Romania.




    Public monuments
    rooted in ancient Roman architecture, triumphal arches were built in Bucharest just
    like elsewhere in the world, to commemorate war victories or significant public
    events. The previous such monumental structures in the Romanian capital city
    had only been temporary, and had been built in 1848, 1859, 1878, 1906 and 1918 to
    celebrate glorious events: the 1948 revolution, the union of the Romanian
    Principalities, Romania’s independence, 40 years of rule for King Carol I, the
    victory in World War I.




    The triumphal arch
    under which King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie passed on their return to their
    capital as sovereigns of the Greater Kingdom of Romania was built in 1922, and
    made of wood. But this was also when a decision was made to build a stone arch.
    The current Arch is a 27m tall structure designed by the Romanian architect Petre
    Antonescu and inaugurated in 1936.




    A commemoration held this
    year to mark the events that took place 100 years ago included an exhibition
    paying tribute to the Romanian soldiers that fought in World War I. The items
    on display within the Arch mainly consisted of letters sent home by soldiers
    and received by them from families and friends.




    Emotion and poetry
    are the best words to describe these documents. Moreover, even when all the
    authors of such letters understood the political reasons behind the war, they
    still regarded it as absurd.




    We asked Titus Bazac,
    inspector with the Bucharest City Hall’s Directorate General for Architecture,
    Landscaping and Public Monuments, about the highlights of this exhibition.




    Titus Bazac:Inside the two piers of the Arch
    there are two halls. In both of them as well as on the two landings, there are
    several dioramas. In one of the piers, there is a replica of a peasant home
    interior, where a mother is crying while knitting socks for her son and
    wondering why he had to go to battle. She is wondering whether this suspension
    of the natural cycle of life, with her son going away from home, was in any way
    sensible. Then we have another interior, it may be either a rural or urban
    house, with a lamp on a table and a mother asking why she had to go through
    this ordeal, battling her decision to allow her son to go to war, a dramatic
    scene altogether.




    The walls of the Arch
    are covered in collages of photographs and facsimiles of archive letters. Mother
    is sick with worry about your fate, a soldier’s sister writes. My love, the
    kid and I are missing you and waiting for you to come home, an officer’s wife
    says. My son, be a man, do your duty and come back in one piece, a father
    writes to a soldier.




    In the attic,
    visitors go under a huge roll of paper spread over the ceiling, coming up from
    one pier and carrying on down on the other pier. Titus Bazac also gave us
    details about what the exhibition includes in the second pier:




    Titus Bazac:On the way down on the second pier we
    have a diorama of a trench where a soldier is simply devastated by the
    situation the war faced him with. Another soldier is trying to write a few
    words to his family but cannot decide how his letter should begin. And the last
    scene, a little chilling, is a grave. We can see on a monitor a firing squad, a
    symbol of the cruelty with which all WWI soldiers had to struggle. It is also
    relevant for an episode in writer Liviu Rebreanu’s works: the Romanian soldier
    forced to fight against other Romanians. He eventually switches sides, but is
    caught and executed. This is the most emotional moment of this exhibition.




    The coronation of
    King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie as sovereigns of Greater Romania in 1922 would
    not have been possible without the sacrifice of the entire Romanian society. And the Triumphal Arch, the most powerful material
    testimony to those times, reminds us of those sacrifices to this day. (AMP)

  • King Mihai I of Romania Centennial

    King Mihai I of Romania Centennial

    ‘I am Romanian, and I am feeling that very much. And wherever I go, I do everything possible for Romania’. This was the creed of King Mihai (1921-2017), the last sovereign of Romania, who, on October 25, would have turned 100 years old. As a sign of appreciation, the National Art Museum of Romania, on Monday opened for visitors the historical spaces of the Royal Palace: the Royal Dining Room, the Voivodes Stairway and the Throne Room, as well as the exhibition Fragments of memory – royal portraits featuring works of art representing King Mihai I in various stages of life. He was the first prince born after the unification of Romania in 1918. He was the son of Prince Carol II and Princess Elena, the grandson of King Ferdinand I and queen Marie of Romania and of King Constantine I of Greece. Mihai I was King of Romania in two different periods. His first reign, from July 20, 1927 to June 8, 1930, a period of Regency, as he was a minor, was under the sign of uncertainty, given that his father, Prince Carol, who was abroad, was preparing to return to the country, and in the country, the Carlist movement intensified to ensure Carol’s return to the throne of Romania.



    King Mihai’s second reign started on September 6, 1940 in dramatic conditions, when Romania’s territory was torn apart and Europe was at war. The events of the summer of that dramatic year – in June the USSR occupied Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina and the Land of Herţa, with 3.7 million inhabitants and, in August, Horthy’s Hungary occupied northeastern Transylvania with 2.6 million inhabitants – the hostile attitude of the Romanian political leaders and of the army forced Carol II to relinquish his royal prerogatives on September 6, 1940. However, he invested General Ion Antonescu with “full powers to lead the Romanian state.” Ion Antonescu instated an authoritarian regime between 1940 and 1944, and assigned King Mihai only formal responsibilities. In June 1941, Romania entered the war against the USSR alongside Germany. In 1943-1944, King Mihai and his main collaborators gradually took a distance from Ion Antonescu, and together with the leaders of the main democratic political parties and some military circles, they took the necessary steps to get Romania out of the alliance with the Axis and to make it join the United Nations.



    On August 23, 1944, Ion Antonescu was removed from power and the Romanian Army joined the anti-fascist war. Left without the support of the United States and Great Britain, on December 30, 1947, Mihai I was forced by the Communists to abdicate. It was only in 1992, that the post-communist authorities allowed him to return to Romania, when he was welcomed by over 1 million people. The former sovereign regained his Romanian citizenship in 1997. He passed away on December 5, 2017.



    October 25 also marks the Day of the Romanian Army, which is celebrated throughout the country, through a series of events. The army remains a solid landmark of the country and enjoys people’s confidence, contributing to maintaining the stability necessary for the development of the Romanian society, said President Klaus Iohannis on this occasion. He underlined that the professionalism and dedication shown by the military in the theaters of operations around the world have contributed to Romanias Euro-Atlantic and European course, as well as to strengthening the solid Strategic Partnership with the United States. (LS)

  • October 24, 2021 UPDATE

    October 24, 2021 UPDATE


    COVID-19 New restrictions take effect on Monday in Romania, as the country is struggling with an unprecedented epidemiological crisis. For 30 days, the digital COVID certificate will be compulsory in most public places, except for food shops and drugstores, face covering will be compulsory in all indoor and outdoor public areas, and a ban on outdoor concerts and shows, as well as on private events, including weddings, conferences and workshops, will be in place. Also on Monday, public and private kindergartens, primary, secondary schools and high schools will take a 2-week break. After-schools will also be closed, although nurseries will stay open. Companies with more than 50 employees will organise shifts or remote work, sports competitions will be held without public in attendance, and a night curfew will also be introduced, between 10 pm and 5 am, for the unvaccinated. On Sunday the authorities reported 11,725 new SARS-CoV-2 cases and 389 COVID-related deaths in 24 hours.



    VACCINE A new batch of over 300,000 doses of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is set to arrive in Romania on Monday and will be distributed across the country. So far Romania has received more than 13.6 million doses of Pfizer BioNTech serum, and almost 9 million of them have already been used. Romania is also using AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson vaccines. The vaccination campaign has been energised in recent days as the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections surged and as people see their access to various activities restricted without the digital COVID certificate. Since the start of the vaccination programme in late December, some 5.9 million people have completed the vaccination plan.



    GOVERNMENT The head of the National Liberal Party and interim PM Florin Cîţu said on Sunday that after the Liberals nominated Nicolae Ciucă as prime minister designate, it is time for the parties that voted the no-confidence motion to prove responsible and to back a cabinet made up of the Liberals and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. This was a reference to the Social Democratic Party and Save Romania Union, the latter formerly partners with the Liberals in the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the prime minister designate carried on negotiations over parliamentary support for his new cabinet. Nicolae Ciucă discussed on Saturday with representatives of ethnic minorities and with the head of the Social Democratic Party in opposition, Marcel Ciolacu. The Social Democrats made their temporary support for a minority government conditional on the inclusion of 10 urgent measures suggested by the Social Democrats to overcome the healthcare and energy crises. Save Romania Union left the ruling coalition over disagreements with PM Florin Cîţu and backed a no-confidence motion initiated by the Social Democrats against the Cîţu government. The first politician designated by president Klaus Iohannis to form a new government, Save Romania Union leader Dacian Cioloş, failed to get endorsed by Parliament.



    CENTENNIAL On Monday Romania marks the centennial of the birth of Michael I of Romania, the countrys last king. On this occasion, public radio stations will broadcast a show entitled “Romania needs art,” produced jointly with the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, benefitting the Young Talents Programme. The National Art Museum will also open to visitors the historic areas of the Royal Palace. The public will be able to visit the Royal Dining Hall, the Throne Hall and the Voivodes Staircase, as well as an exhibition on Fragments of memory: royal potraits, comprising art works depicting King Michael at various stages of life. The 25th of October is also the Day of the Romanian Army, and the “King Ferdinand I” National Military Museum will open a temporary exhibition entitled “Michael I: a century of history.” King Michael I passed away on the 5th December 2017. Thousands of people, who saw him as a model of dignity, patriotism and duty towards his country, queued for days to pay tribute to the late king in Bucharest. He was buried in the Mausoleum of the Royal Family in Curtea de Argeş (south), where his predecessors, kings Carol I, Ferdinand and Carol II also rest.



    UN The values and principles of the United Nations Charter remain relevant 76 years later, and are the basis of international relations today, says the Romanian Foreign Ministry in a message on UN Day. According to the institution, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again proved that global issues require joint solutions, solidarity and international cooperation, and in this respect, supporting and strengthening multilateralism, founded on the UN system, are essential. “In its 66 years of UN membership, Romania has stood out as an active supporter and advocate of the achievements of multilateral diplomacy. The Romanian diplomacy will continue to actively promote the UN goals, in its efforts to ensure progress towards a safer, freer and more thriving world,” the message also reads. The United Nations Day is celebrated on the 24th October, when the UN Charter entered into force in 1945. Romania joined the organisation on 14th December 1955.



    HANDBALL Romanian womens handball champions, CSM Bucharest, won at home on Sunday against Buducnost Podgorica of Montenegro, 30-22, in a Champions League Goup A match. This is the 3rd consecutive win for CSM, which in the previous leg defeated away from home the German side Borussia Dortmund. The Romanian team is next to take on the French side Brest Bretagne Handball, on 30th October. (tr. A.M. Popescu)


  • October 24, 2021

    October 24, 2021

    COVID-19 New restrictions take effect on Monday in Romania, as the country is
    struggling with an unprecedented epidemiological crisis. For 30 days, the
    digital COVID certificate will be compulsory in most public places, except for
    food shops and drugstores, face covering will be compulsory in all indoor and
    outdoor public areas, and a ban on outdoor concerts and shows, as well as on
    private events, including weddings, conferences and workshops, will be in place.
    Also on Monday, public and private kindergartens,
    primary, secondary schools and high schools will take a 2-week break.
    After-schools will also be closed, although nurseries will stay open. Companies
    with more than 50 employees will organise shifts or remote work, sports
    competitions will be held without public in attendance, and a night curfew will also be introduced, between 10 pm and 5 am, for
    the unvaccinated. On Sunday the authorities reported 11,725 new
    SARS-CoV-2 cases and 389 COVID-related deaths.




    VACCINE Over
    45,000 people got vaccinated in Bucharest since Friday, almost half of them as
    part of a vaccination marathon held in the capital city over the weekend.
    Nation-wide, some 127,000 people got vaccinated in the last 24 hours, most of
    them (over 91,000) with the first dose. The vaccination campaign has been energised
    in recent days as the number of SARS-CoV-2
    infections surged and as people see their access to various activities restricted without the
    digital COVID certificate. Since the start of the vaccination programme in late
    December, nearly 5.9 million people have completed the vaccination plan. An
    efficiency survey on COVID-19 vaccination in Romania indicates that
    immunisation has reduced contamination risks 5 times,
    hospitalisation risks 10 times, intensive care admission risks nearly 14 times
    and COVID-related death risks over 20 times.

    GOVERNMENT The head of the
    National Liberal Party and interim PM Florin Cîţu said on Sunday that after the
    Liberals nominated Nicolae Ciucă as prime minister designate, it is time for
    the parties that voted the no-confidence motion to prove responsible and to
    back a cabinet made up of the Liberals and the Democratic Union of Ethnic
    Hungarians in Romania. This was a reference to the Social Democratic Party and
    Save Romania Union, the latter formerly partners with the Liberals in the
    ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the prime minister designate carried on
    negotiations over parliamentary support for his new cabinet. Nicolae Ciucă
    discussed on Saturday with representatives of ethnic minorities and with the
    head of the Social Democratic Party in opposition, Marcel Ciolacu. The Social
    Democrats made their temporary support for a minority government conditional on
    the inclusion of 10 urgent measures suggested by the Social Democrats to
    overcome the healthcare and energy crises. Save Romania Union left the ruling
    coalition over disagreements with PM Florin Cîţu and backed a no-confidence motion initiated by the Social
    Democrats against the Cîţu government. The first politician designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis to form a new government, Save Romania Union leader
    Dacian Cioloş, failed to get endorsed by Parliament.




    CENTENNIAL On Monday Romania marks the
    centennial of the birth of Michael I of Romania, the country’s last king. On
    this occasion, public radio stations will broadcast a show entitled Romania
    needs art, produced jointly with the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation,
    benefitting the Young Talents Programme. The National Art Museum will also open
    to visitors the historic areas of the Royal Palace. The public will be able to
    visit the Royal Dining Hall, the Throne Hall and the Voivodes’ Staircase, as well as an exhibition on ‘Fragments of
    memory: royal potraits,’ comprising art works depicting King Michael at various
    stages of life. The 25th of October is also the Day of the Romanian
    Army, and the King Ferdinand I National Military Museum will open a
    temporary exhibition entitled Michael I: a century of history. King
    Michael I passed away on the 5th December 2017. Thousands of people, who saw him as a model of dignity,
    patriotism and duty towards his country, queued for days to pay tribute to the
    late king in Bucharest. He was buried in the Mausoleum of the Royal
    Family in Curtea de Argeş (south), where his
    predecessors, kings Carol I, Ferdinand and Carol II also rest.




    UN The values and principles of the United Nations
    Charter remain relevant 76 years later, and are the basis of international
    relations today, says the Romanian Foreign Ministry in a message on UN Day.
    According to the institution, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again proved that
    global issues require joint solutions, solidarity and international
    cooperation, and in this respect, supporting and strengthening multilateralism,
    founded on the UN system, are essential. In its 66 years of UN membership, Romania
    has stood out as an active supporter and advocate of the achievements of
    multilateral diplomacy. The Romanian diplomacy will continue to actively
    promote the UN goals, in its efforts to ensure progress towards a safer, freer
    and more thriving world, the message also reads. The United Nations Day is
    celebrated on the 24th October, when the UN Charter entered into
    force in 1945. Romania joined the organisation on 14th December 1955.




    HANDBALL Romanian women’s handball
    champions, CSM Bucharest, play at home today against Buducnost Podgorica of
    Montenegro, in a Champions League Goup A match. In the previous leg, CSM defeated away from home the German side Borussia
    Dortmund. The Romanian team ranks 6th in the group, but should they
    win this match they would move on to 4th place. The top 3 teams in
    the group are Rostov on Don (Russia), FTC-Rail Cargo of Hungary
    and Team Esbjerg (Denmark). (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • December 1, 2018 UPDATE

    December 1, 2018 UPDATE

    National Day — On December 1, Romania marked 100 years since the setting up of the Romanian unitary nation state. On this occasion as many as 450 public events were organized all across the country. Bucharest venued the biggest military parade of the past decades, which was a unique moment both through the number of military that passed under the Arch of Triumph and the military equipment and technology presented. 4 thousand military, of whom more than 500 soldiers from 20 partner and allied states, marched in Bucharest. More than 200 technical equipment items were presented and as many as 50 planes flew over the capital. The fighting equipment included for the first time the Patriot missile air-defense system and the Piranha 5 armored vehicles which, starting this year, are being manufactured in Romania. Another military parade took place in Alba Iulia, the city in the center of the country, where the union of Transylvania with Romania was proclaimed on December 1, 1918. This was also the biggest parade ever organized in the city of the union. A Monument of the Union dedicated to Romania’s Centennial was inaugurated there. Previously, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church Daniel and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Teofil III held a religious service in front of the Cathedral in Alba Iulia. Also in Alba Iulia a new edition of the Congress of the Romanian Spirituality was opened which is being attended by representatives of the Romanian communities from all over the world. The representative offices of the Romanian Cultural Institute from abroad in cooperation with Romania’s diplomatic missions organized cultural events to mark Romania’s National Day.



    Congratulations messages — The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis told all Romanians, on the occasion of the National Day and of the 100th anniversary of the Romanian unitary nation state, that the nation needs everybody’s energy and involvement. He said that Romania’s history was full of obstacles but the country managed to have a mature society, with courageous, responsible and more civically- engaged people, who have the power to fight for a better life for themselves and for their children. President Iohannis invited all Romanians in the country and aboard, to build the Romania of the next century together, united by such values as democracy, freedom and equality before the law. In turn, the PM Viorica Dancila expressed confidence that the Romanian society still has enough resources to reach consensus, balance and political wisdom so as to promote its interest as a European nation. Romanians also received congratulations messages from abroad on their national day. The EC wrote on its Facebook page that the EU would not be complete without Romania and posted a short video featuring symbols of Romania. The Moldovan PM Pavel Filip said in turn that Romania was more than a friend and partner for Moldova. Also the American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a congratulations message to the Romanian people, on behalf of the American administration, posted on the website of the US Department of State that quote: “On this day, we celebrate with all Romanians the 100th anniversary of the creation of modern Romania and we reflect on our friendship and strategic partnership” unquote. Also Pope Francis conveyed cordial congratulations to the Romanian people.



    Bucharest winter lights — On Friday evening the winter lights were turned on in Bucharest, earlier than in the previous years, to mark the Great Union centennial. The city was adorned with 9 million light bulbs, three times more than in the previous years. 40 kms of boulevards and streets were decorated with winter lights. In the center of the capital an installation was set up representing the endless Column which measures 12 meters in height and weighs 110 kilograms. The festive lights dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Romanian unitary nation state were turned on by two eminent students in the Constitution Square, which also hosts a Christmas Fair that will be open until December 26.



    Condolence message – The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday conveyed a message of condolences to his American counterpart Donald Trump, on the death of America’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush. According to Klaus Iohannis, George H.W. Bush was a great leader and a genuine man of state, who left behind a valuable political heritage, including for Eastern Europe. Thanks to his efforts, Romania alongside the other states of the former Soviet bloc, has regained its freedom and started on its way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. George H.W. Bush also set the basis for what later became a deep and valuable Strategic Partnership between the USA and Romania. George H.W. Bush died on Friday at 94.



    Football — Romania’s national football team will find out, on Sunday, its opponents in the preliminaries of the EURO 2020, after the drawing of lots to be venued by Dublin, one of the 12 hosts of the continental competition, among which Bucharest as well. Romania’s Arena Nationala – National Arena will host 4 matches in 2020: 3 matches of Group C on June 14, 18 and 22, and a match in the eighth finals on June 29. The 55 teams to participate in the drawing of lots for the preliminaries will be divided into 10 groups, 5 groups of 5 teams each, and 5 groups of 6 teams. Qualifying to the EURO 2020 will be the teams ranking 1st and 2nd in each group. The matches in the preliminary round will take place from March through November 2019.



    Paris — The French riot police and protesters clashed in central Paris during a 3rd weekend of nationwide ‘yellow vest’ rallies caused by increased fuel prices. Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and used water cannons against the protesters who were trying to tear down the barricades. Tens of people have been arrested. In a speech on France’s strategy in the energy sector, the French president Emmanuel Macron said he would not abandon the controversial fuel tax that sparked the protests. (translation by L. Simion)

  • November 17, 2018

    November 17, 2018

    VISIT The president of the European Court of Auditors, Klaus-Heiner Lehne, will be on an official visit to Romania on November 19 and 20, in the context of Romania taking over the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019. Klaus-Heiner Lehne will have meetings, among others, with the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, PM Viorica Dăncilă, the speakers of the 2 chambers of Parliament, the Minister for Public Finances Eugen Teodorovici, and with the Minister Delegate for European Affairs, George Ciamba. Several top-level EU officials will also be in Bucharest next week, including the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani. They will discuss topics of interest for the future of the Union and for the proper management, during Romanias EU Council presidency, of several major dossiers, such as the multi-annual financial framework, the post-Brexit situation of the European bloc and the security policy. The Romanian PM reiterated that Bucharest is prepared to take over the EU presidency and said the action plan is ready, the operation mechanisms are in place and the means of implementing the action plan has been defined.




    FINANCIAL Fitch agencys announcement regarding Romanias country rating is a confirmation of the fact that Romania has a sustainable economic growth, and contributes to strengthening investors confidence in the national economy, said the Minister for Public Finances Eugen Teodorovici, after Fitch confirmed the “BBB minus rating for Romanias long-term foreign currency debt, with a stable outlook. The expansionist fiscal policy launched in 2016 has weakened Romanias public finances, Fitch experts say, adding that in the first 9 months of this year revenues stand at only 69% of the revised annual targets, and the budget deficit is one percentage point above the figure in January – September 2017. However, Fitch expects the Government to meet its 2.96% deficit target for this year, so as to avoid the excessive deficit procedure. The international financial rating agency estimates a 3.5% economic growth rate for Romania this year, 3.2% in 2019 and 3% in 2020, reflecting the slow-down in the EU, a tightening monetary policy and a reduction in tax incentives.




    GAUDEAMUS Book launches continue today, as part of the Gaudeamus Book and Education Fair organised by Radio Romania in Bucharest. Until the end of this 25th edition of the Fair on Sunday, visitors will be able to attend various events and benefit from substantial discounts offered by the over 300 participating publishers. The central theme of the current edition is the Romanian Union Centennial, and is illustrated by a representative stand, hosting around 600 volumes devoted to this historic event and scores of events, launches, debates, film screenings and public lectures. The stand also enables the public to meet and talk to some of the most important Romanian writers, literary critics and historians.




    START-UPS Romanian entrepreneurs interested in the Start-Up Nation programme, designed to encourage the set-up of small and medium-sized enterprises by means of non-reimbursable grants, will be able to use a special software as of December 1. According to the Minister for Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship, Ştefan Radu Oprea, applications can be submitted for one month. Last year in the Start-Up Nation programme, over 30,000 applications were submitted, the Minister added, more than 8,000 contracts were signed, of which 7,200 projects are still active, and over 21,000 jobs have been created.




    CENTENNIAL The members of the Romanian ethnic community in Hungary are celebrating today the Great Union Centennial in Gyula. The event is part of a series devoted to the 100 years since Greater Romania was founded, and it brings together officials and personalities from major Romanian academic centres, Romanian MPs and local authorities. The event also has a component devoted to the Romanian ethnics in Hungary: a ceremony in which representatives of the Romanian community in Hungary, including headmasters of schools with Romanian tuition, are awarded by the “Eudoxiu Hurmuzachi Institute for Romanians abroad. The ceremony will be followed by the screening of a film about the 1918 Union and the opening of an art exhibition on the same theme.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • August 3, 2018 UPDATE

    August 3, 2018 UPDATE

    SECURITY – The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, hails the USAs firm commitment to the European security and defence, as reflected in the budget earmarked for the defence sector, recently approved by the US Congress. According to the Presidency, 12.9 billion US dollars will go into the missile defence system, including amounts for supporting and operating the Aegis Ashore structure in Romania, as part of the NATO ballistic missile defence system. The Presidency also reiterates Bucharests determination to further keep its bilateral and NATO commitments, both in terms of the budget allotted for defence and the national contribution to NATO missions and operations, in keeping with the decisions made at the NATO summits in Wales, Warsaw, and more recently in Brussels.




    CENTENNIAL – Romanias inter-ministry committee in charge with the preparations for the Union Centennial Friday endorsed projects worth over 4.2 million euros. According to the Culture Minister George Ivaşcu, 7 of the projects have been put together by local authorities and have a combined budget of 2.3 million euros, while another 16 projects, proposed by various ministries, require a combined 2.5 million euros. The Committee has so far approved funding for over 500 projects, George Ivaşcu added. He explained that by the end of this month proposals designed by NGOs will also be selected for financing, out of a list of 232 projects.




    JUDICIARY – Mihail Vlasov, the former president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, was sentenced on Friday by the Bucharest Court of Appeals to 9 years and 10 months in prison, for offences including embezzlement, forgery and the misuse of influence or authority in view of obtaining undue benefits. The judges found that the offences in this case were concurrent with the offence of influence peddling, for which Vlasov received in 2015 a final prison sentence of 5 years and 8 months. Last September however he was released on parole. The Court therefore cancelled the conditional release decision and added an additional 3 years and 10 months to the sentence, resulting a total of 9 years and 10 months. The ruling is not final.




    TOURISM – Romania and Poland will have joint tourist routes to attract visitors from Asia, the Romanian Tourism Minister Bogdan Trif announced on Friday, adding that both countries excel in terms of UNESCO sites and medieval citadels. Trif made these statements in Bucharest, during an event also attended by Polands Minister for Sports and Tourism, Witold Banka. Bogdan Trif emphasised the importance of a Government Order passed by Bucharest on Thursday with respect to the full guaranteeing of tourism services, a system implemented by Poland 2 years ago. In turn, the Polish official said a task force will be set up, to design joint Polish-Romanian travel packages.




    WEATHER – The Romanian Foreign Ministry announced that the authorities in Spain, Portugal and Croatia have issued code red and orange alerts for extreme heat, whereas some parts of Greece and Portugal are under high wildfire alerts. Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden are also reporting very high temperatures. Weather experts announce that Europe may see a new record in terms of high temperatures in the forthcoming days. The current record is 48 degrees Celsius, reported in Greece in 1977.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • June 26, 2018

    June 26, 2018

    NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE – The no-confidence motion initiated by the National Liberal Party and backed by Save Romania Union and the Peoples Movement Party against the Dăncilă Cabinet was read out on Monday in Parliament, and is to be discussed and voted on tomorrow. The Government is criticised, among other things, for the changes to the Code of Criminal Procedure, for reducing the powers of the countrys president and for negative economic performances.





    PARTNERSHIP – Romanias deputy PM Ana Birchall, who had a meeting on Monday in Washington with the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, reaffirmed the importance of the Strategic Partnership with the US for Romanias foreign policy. The Romanian official also emphasised the need to maintain a balanced and coherent NATO policy on the eastern flank. Ana Birchall reconfirmed the goal undertaken by Romania with respect to the fair distribution of responsibilities within the Alliance, in view of strengthening its defence capabilities. Also on Monday, in a meeting with Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, Ana Birchall discussed the development of the energy resources in the Black Sea, regional energy security and the development of transport and interconnectivity projects. Birchall reiterated the Romanian Governments firm commitment to ensure a transparent and attractive investment climate for the relevant companies.





    DEFENCE – Romania faces Russian aggression on a daily basis in the Black Sea, and is fending off a wave of cyber-attacks and political interference, the Romanian defence minister Mihai Fifor said Monday in an interview to Associated Press. He added that Romania aims to be the regions main security provider and an early warning outpost for threats to fellow NATO allies. Mihai Fifor mentioned that Romania is hosting a major US military base and has a more pro-American stance than its neighbours, which has led to cool relations with Russia. The Defence Minister added that Romania plans to demonstrate that it is a pillar of stability and security in the region and to increase its contribution to mission Resolute Support in Afghanistan, from 700 troops at present to 900.





    FLAG DAY – Bucharest and other cities in Romania are hosting today military and religious ceremonies as well as air shows, to mark National Flag Day. Taking part in the events in the capital city were the Defence Minister Mihai Fifor, troops, war veterans, and retired officers. National Flag Day was proclaimed by law in 1998 and is celebrated every year on June 26. The date was chosen to mark the day in 1848 when the red, yellow and blue colours were chosen as the symbol of the Romanian nation.





    EU – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleşcanu, said the progress made by the European Union in the field of security and defence must contribute to strengthening the European defence and the cooperation with NATO. The statement was made in Luxembourg, at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, attended by the EU foreign ministers and defence ministers, in the presence of NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. Also in Luxembourg, Romania and Bulgaria presented the state and the prospects of Black Sea cooperation initiatives. Minister Teodor Meleşcanu pleaded for enhanced EU support for such joint projects.





    CYCLING – Around 250 bikers have set out today from the capital city Bucharest, from Iaşi in the north-east, Timişoara in the west and Drobeta Turnu Severin in the south-west, to meet in Alba Iulia, in the centre of the country, where the Great Union was proclaimed 100 years ago. The cycling tour is devoted to the celebration of 100 years since the formation of the Romanian nation state, on December 1, 1918. The around 500-km route will be completed in 5 days. For a short while the participants were joined in Bucharest by President Klaus Iohannis, who took the opportunity to plead for national unity.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • The Republic of Moldova, between the union and the grey area

    The Republic of Moldova, between the union and the grey area

    On the centenary of the union of Bessarabia with Romania, a recent poll carried out by the Association of Sociologists and Demographers shows that almost half of Moldovan voters support the Socialists Party led by the country’s pro-Russian president Igor Dodon.



    Also, the number of people in favour of European integration, namely 36%, is now lower than of those in favour of closer ties with the Euroasian Union, that is 41%. In the event of early elections, only four political parties would make it into Parliament, the poll also suggests.



    Almost half of respondents would vote for the Socialists Party, 19% for the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, 11% for the ruling Democratic Party, and 9% for the Dignity and Truth Platform Party. According to the poll, the pro-Russian president Igor Dodon is the most trusted politician in Moldova, with a confidence rating of 50%, followed by the leader of the Action and Solidarity Party Maia Sandu, with 22%, and, much further behind, by the communist ex-president Vladimir Voronin, the prime minister Pavel Filip and the leader of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc. More than half of respondents have no trust in any politician.



    Against this backdrop, public consultations have begun in Chisinau in the run-up to a possible referendum on the union of the Republic of Moldova with Romania. The participants have to choose between two options, Yes or No, by the 14th of April. The survey is conducted by the European Social-Political Centre. 100,000 of the 300,000 voters in Chisinau will be canvassed, explains sociology expert PhD Andrei Dumbraveanu, who says the number of unionists has grown compared with 20 or 30 years ago.



    Andrei Dumbraveanu: “We have a generation of people who know the historical truth and who have studied in the West. We must also note the big influence exerted by the media, which are in favour of maintaining Russia’s influence in these parts, so many people aren’t yet sure which way to go.”



    500 canvassers will conduct door-to-door surveys, but electronic voting may also be an option.

  • March 26, 2018 UPDATE

    March 26, 2018 UPDATE

    EXPULSION – The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest announced on Monday that Romania would expel a Russian diplomat, as part of a European coordinated response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK. This is believed to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history. Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu has said a sign of solidarity with the UK was needed, especially in the context of Brexit, to prove that the EU further wants a strong relationship with London in the field of security and defense, even after the country leaves the community bloc. President of the European Council Donald Tusk said 14 EU states had decided to expel Russian diplomats as a direct result of a meeting, held last week, about the Salisbury poisoning. Also, the US is expelling 48 envoys at the Russian embassy in Washington and 12 more at the UN in New York. British PM Theresa May has hailed these decisions saying they send Moscow a clear signal that it cannot defy international law. Russia has vowed to respond with expulsions of its own, saying its response will be symmetrical. Moscow has previously denied any involvement in the poisoning of the Russian spy.




    CENTENNIAL – On Tuesday, the Parliament in Bucharest will convene in a solemn plenary session, to debate and adopt a solemn declaration to celebrate the Union of Bessarabia with Romania. Attending will be President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, as well as a delegation of the Moldovan Parliament headed by its Speaker Adrian Candu, and a delegation of the pro-Western Government in Chisinau. The Romanian Academy on Monday hosted an event devoted to the celebration of 100 years since the Union of Bessarabia and Romania.



    JUSTICE — On Monday evening the Romanian Senate adopted the controversial changes to the justice laws after earlier on Monday Parliament’s special committee for the justice laws issued a favourable opinion on the modifications brought to the laws on judicial organization, the status of magistrates and the functioning and structure of the Superior Council of Magistracy. The documents were re-drafted as per the rulings of the Constitutional Court. The Chamber of Deputies last week passed the three modified versions of the laws. Representatives of the opposition have criticized the modifications endorsed by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, supported by the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, saying there are reasons to notify the Constitutional Court again. Some of the points in the new laws have prompted massive street protests and triggered the magistrates’ vehement disapproval.




    TALKS — Romania’s Justice Minister Tudorel Toader on Monday met with his Serbian counterpart Nela Kuburovic in Belgrade. Among other things, talks focused on the status of former Romanian MP Sebastian Ghita, who is wanted in several criminal investigations and fled to Serbia, a non-EU state. Minister Toader said Romania fulfilled its obligations and sent Belgrade authorities all the information needed for its extradition. We recall Sebastian Ghita fled the country in December 2016 and was caught in Serbia in April 2017.




    ECONOMY — Germany was Romania’s top trade partner in 2017, accounting for 20% of Romania’s exports and imports, reads a recent Eurostat report. Italy, France and Hungary are next on the list of Romania’s top trade partners. At EU level, the United States and China together accounted for a third of EU trade in 2017. The value of two-way trade between the EU and the US stood at €631 billion, while two-way trade between the EU and China stood at €573 billion.




    FIRE — At least 64 people were killed in a fire that engulfed a shopping center in Kemerovo, southwestern Siberia, the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations reports. The fire broke out on the third-floor, close to the cinema and a play area. Dozens of people are still missing. Eye-witness reports say no one was there to order an evacuation, hence some people tried to save themselves by jumping off the windows, many of whom are now being hospitalized and treated for serious trauma. The work of rescue teams is extremely challenging, as there is a risk for the whole building to collapse. Authorities have launched an investigation.




    FOOTBALL – On Tuesday in Craiova, southern Romania, the national football side will be up against Sweden in a friendly match. On Saturday, also in a friendly, the Romanians secured a two-one win against Israel in Netanya. (Translated by Elena Enache)



  • March 26, 2018

    March 26, 2018

    CENTENNIAL — The Romanian Academy is toady hosting an event devoted to the celebration of 100 years since the Union of Bessarabia and Romania. Entitled “Romania and the Republic of Moldova — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, the agenda of the event includes keynote addresses by the vice-president of the Romanian Academy, Alexandru Surdu, Academy member Dan Berindei, Valeriu Matei, former Moldovan Education Minister and honorary member of the Romanian Academy. On Tuesday, the Parliament in Bucharest will convene in a solemn plenary session, which will debate and adopt a solemn declaration to celebrate the Union of Bessarabia with Romania. Attending will be President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, HRH Margareta, Custodian of the Royal Crown, as well as officials from the Republic of Moldova.



    TALKS — Romania’s Justice Minister Tudorel Toader is today meeting his Serbian counterpart Nela Kuburovic in Belgrade. Toader said talks will also focus on the status of former Romanian MP Sebastian Ghita, who’s wanted in several criminal investigations and fled to Serbia, a non-EU state. Minister Toader said Romania has fulfilled its obligations and sent Belgrade authorities all the information needed for its extradition. We recall Sebastian Ghita fled the country in December 2016 and was caught in Serbia in April 2017.



    JUSTICE — Parliament’s special committee for the justice laws today issued a favorable opinion on the modifications brought to the laws on judicial organization, the status of magistrates and the functioning and structure of the Superior Council of Magistracy. The documents were re-drafted as per the rulings of the Constitutional Court. The Chamber of Deputies last week passed the three modified versions of the laws. The Senate is the decision-making body in this matter. Representatives of the opposition have criticized the modifications, saying there are reasons to notify the Constitutional Court again. Some of the points in the new laws have prompted massive street protests and triggered the magistrates’ vehement disapproval.



    MEETING — European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk are today holding talks in Varna, Bulgaria, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over efforts to re-launch the EU-Turkey dialogue. Talks will focus on a number of delicate topics, such as the degrading rule of law in Turkey, the two parties’ stand on migration and Turkey’s bid to join the EU. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said talks will prove very difficult. Neither of the two parties want to sidetrack the talks, because the EU remains an important trade partner for Turkey, while in turn Turkey is a key ally for Europe in combating migration and terrorism, France Press reports.



    ECONOMY — Germany was Romania’s top trade partner in 2017, accounting for 20% of Romania’s exports and imports, reads a recent Eurostat report. Italy, France and Hungary are next on the list of Romania’s top trade partners. At EU level, the United States and China together accounted for a third of EU trade in 2017. The value of two-way trade between the EU and the US stood at €631 billion, while two-way trade between the EU and China stood at €573 billion.



    FIRE — At least 64 people were killed in a fire that engulfed a shopping center in Kemerovo, southwestern Siberia, the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations reports. The fire broke out on the third-floor, close to the cinema and a play area. Dozens of people are still missing. Eye-witness reports say no one was there to order an evacuation, hence some people tried to save themselves by jumping off the windows, many of whom are now being hospitalized and treated for serious trauma. The work of rescue teams is extremely challenging, as there is a risk for the whole building to collapse. Authorities have launched an investigation.



    RESPONSE — Romania will announce later today its official response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergey Skripal in the UK, Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu on Monday told a press conference held jointly with his Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius. Melescanu said we need to show solidarity with the UK, especially in the context of Brexit, so as to prove the EU wants to maintain close relations with London in the field of defence and security once this country leaves the community bloc. In turn, the Lithuanian official said this case is a challenge for the entire international community, saying that such methods are unacceptable and require an appropriate response.



    HANDBALL — The Romanian women’s national handball team on Sunday defeated the Olympic defending champions Russia at home, 26-25 as part of Group 4 of the 2018 European Championship preliminaries. Romania thus squared things off with Russia after losing the first match against them. Our team now has 6 points and tops the group tables, the same as Austria, which nevertheless has a lower goal average. Russia is third-ranked with 4 points while Portugal is last-placed with 0 points. The first two teams will qualify to the European Championship to be hosted by France this summer. Romania’s last two fixtures are against Austria away from home and Portugal on home turf. (Translated by V. Palcu)