SNOW MEETING – Romania’s Foreign
Minister Luminița Odobescu will attend the two-day informal Snow Meeting hosted
by Trakai, Lithuania, focusing on external policy and security topics. Held on Thursday
and Friday, the event will bring together EU and NATO Foreign Ministers as well
as high-ranking officials and academia from Europe and the USA. The meeting
will address security hot topics such as the strategic consequences of the war
in Ukraine, the future security framework in Europe, celebrating 20 years since
the NATO enlargement of 2004, the July NATO Summit in Washington and prospects
of cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region.
MEMORANDUM – Romanian Defense
Minister Angel Tîlvăr and his counterparts from Bulgaria and Turkey are
expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of a joint task
force charged with demining operations in the Black Sea – MCM Black Sea, the
Defense Ministry reports. MCM Black Sea is an initiative of the three Black Sea
riparian allies designed to facilitate safe navigation by means of combating
the threat posed by sea mines. The operational structure of MCM Black Sea,
which will change command on a six-month rotation basis and will consist of two
planned activations for every rotation, will ensure the maximum level of vigilance
and training and contribute to strengthening the Allied posture of deterrence
and defense of the Eastern flank. NATO’s littoral partners, as well as NATO’s
Standing Naval Groups and non-littoral Allies, will be able to participate in
MCM Black Sea activities to develop cooperation in support of Black Sea
security and improve interoperability.
FLAG CEREMONY – The head of the
Chief of Naval Forces Staff, vice-admiral Mihai Panait, on Wednesday attended
the Romanian flag-raising ceremony hosted by Oeiras, Portugal. The ceremony was
hosted by the NATO Striking and Support Forces Command (STRIKFORNATO). In a
year marking two decades since Romania joined NATO, Romania became the 15th
member of the most powerful NATO naval force. The NATO Striking and Support Forces
Command focuses on high-precision strikes, carrier battle groups, expedition
units and strike groups made up of cruisers, destroyers and frigates.
INFECTIONS – The number of
respiratory infections is on the rise in Romania. Over 2,500 new cases of
COVID-19 and some 26 related deaths were reported in the first week, the
National Public Health Institute has announced. 40% of these cases were
reported in Bucharest and in Cluj, Bihor, Brașov and Constanța counties. At the
same time the number of flu cases has also gone up, with wards treating
infectious diseases operating at full capacity. At least nine people died to
the flu virus since the start of the flu season. The head of the Association of
Family Physicians from Bucharest and Ilfov County, Dr. Sandra Alexiu, says
people should contact their family physician as soon as cold or flu symptoms
appear and avoid self-medication. A good personal hygiene and hand-washing are
also recommended, while traveling to crowded areas should be avoided. Doctors
also recommend vaccination to combat the virus.
DISCOVEREU – Some 2,000
18-year-olds from Romania will be awarded a one-year free travel pass, in
addition to other benefits such as accommodation and participation in various
events, allowing them to explore the diversity of Europe as part of the
initiative DiscoverEU – Discover the European Union. This year, of the
150,000 young people enrolled, 36,000 were selected following a quiz in
October. The 18-year-olds will travel by train over March 2024 – May 2025, to
find out more about the history and cultural heritage of Europe and to meet
people across the European continent. Over 11,600 young Romanians have so far
benefited from this initiative. (VP)