Radio România Internațional

Tag: flu virus

  • February 1, 2025 UPDATE 1

    February 1, 2025 UPDATE 1

    2025 BUDGET – The Government has passed Romania’s draft budget for 2025 without modifying any taxes. According to Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the budget focuses on development with 30 billion EUR allotted to investments, an increase of about 6 billion EUR compared to the previous year. At the same time, operating costs will be reduced by 0.5%, and personnel and goods and services costs will be adjusted. The budget was built on economic growth of 2.5%, a budget deficit of 7.04% of GDP, and an average annual inflation rate of 4.4%. Investments and protecting citizens’ purchasing power are the main priorities of the state budget, authorities say. The ministries that will benefit from a budget increase are the ministries of Investment, Transport, Education and the Labor Ministry, while the ministries of Culture, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, the two chambers of Parliament and the Presidential Administration will see their budgets slashed. The budget and social security bills have been expedited to Parliament for debate and approval.

     

    FINANCIAL RATING – International rating agencies will not downgrade Romania’s rating this year to the category of country not recommended to investors, Finance Minister Tánczos Barna has argued. The Romanian official strongly ruled out such a scenario, invoking current economic indicators, the robustness of Romanian economy, the budget deficit of 7% of GDP and the government’s commitment in the field. Minister Barna said he has received negative signals from rating agencies, which in the last two months have lowered Romania’s credit outlook, from stable to “negative”. For this reason, the government has pledged to keep the deficit in check and lower it over the coming years, the Finance Minister added, arguing that the IMF’s visit next week is merely meant to conduct an analysis of the latest evolution.

     

    FLU – A state of epidemiological alert has been declared in Romania due to the large number of respiratory infections. In the last three weeks, cases of influenza, viral infections and pneumonia have exceeded the average of previous cold seasons. Last week, authorities reported nearly 134,000 respiratory infections, of which 11,000 were influenza. Most patients were registered in the capital Bucharest and in the counties of Cluj (northwest), Braşov (center), Prahova (south), Constanţa (southeast), Iaşi (northeast) and Sibiu (center). Health authorities also announced eight new influenza-related fatalities, one of them in a child under 4 years old. The number of people who have died from the flu virus this season has reached 22. Hospitals have imposed visitation restrictions, and doctors recommend the observance of hygiene rules, avoiding crowded places or communities of people showing flu symptoms. The Ministry also recommends daily triage in educational institutions and home isolation of children who show symptoms. (VP)

  • January 5, 2025

    January 5, 2025

    BUDGET – The government seeks to set the final details for the draft budget for 2025 by the end of the month, so that the new Parliament may debate and vote on the law in a special sitting. The government relies on a budget deficit of 7% of the GDP, as per a deal with the European Commission, without taking additional fiscal measures. The authorities need to slash public spending and carry out reforms stipulated in the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The government wants to freeze salaries in the public sector as well as child-rearing allowances. Party funding will also be cut by 25% compared to the previous year. A hiring freeze will be introduced in the public sector, while certain institutions will undergo a restructuring process. The tax on dividends is expected to go up from 8% to 10%, while a new tax on special constructions will be introduced. Pensions too will see no increase this year, with the reference point expected to stagnate at 16 EUR. The authorities also seek to cut overspending by 1% of the GDP, tantamount to some 19 bln EUR, but also to boost budget revenues by implementing reforms provided in the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

     

    ELECTION – Former PNL leader, Crin Antonescu, says the ruling coalition agreement for supporting his candidacy in the 2025 presidential election is de facto suspended. Antonescu told a private TV station on Saturday that he won’t withdraw from the race, but that he noticed the four political leaders who nominated him “did not make a powerful enough commitment when signing the agreement”. We recall that on December 23, ruling coalition parties (PSD, PNL, UDMR and the group of national minorities) agreed to support Crin Antonescu’s candidacy in the 2025 presidential election, with the executive bodies of each party being expected to vote the decision. The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for March 23, while the second round will take place on April 6, with the authorities expected to pass a decree on this matter by January 7.

     

    FLU – Medical experts have again recommended mass-vaccination in school children resuming classes after the winter holidays, given that hospitals are overcrowded with patients diagnosed with the flu virus, with very high waiting times in emergency wards. In the last week, 57 thousand cases of flu, pneumonia or other respiratory infections have been identified. The flu virus runs rampant across Europe as well. Additional temporary inpatient units were set up in France in a number of hospitals to ease pressure on emergency wards. Doctors say we are dealing with a sizable epidemic, while most cases are reported in unvaccinated people. A similar situation is reported in Spain, where overcrowded hospitals are bracing for the epidemic to peak soon.

     

    STUDY – Over the next four years, Romania will take part in a study on the relevant skills needed to become better integrated on the labor market and actively contribute to society. Carried out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the project seeks to assess and compare basic skills in adults aged 16-65 from various countries in order to have a better understanding of the level of literacy and skills required to solve digital problems. The findings of the study will be used to develop education and training policies, to adapt to labor market requirements, reduce gaps in skill development and support social inclusion.

     

    AUSTRIA – Austria’s Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, announced he would resign over the coming days after talks between the People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) collapsed following the surprise withdrawal of the liberal Neos party from coalition negotiations. Karl Nehammer said the Conservatives and Social-Democrats could not agree on key policies, and said he would also step down as party leader. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) won September’s election, but Karl Nehammer and the other parties ruled out the possibility of forming a ruling coalition with this party.

     

    HANDBALL – The Romanian men’s handball team is today playing Georgia in the Carpați Trophy tournament, hosted by Mioveni (south). In the other match scheduled today, Turkey is playing Serbia. On Friday, Romania grabbed a 35-26 win over Turkey, while on Saturday it drew 31-31 against Serbia. Serbia tops the ranking with the same number of points as Romania, although separated by a superior goal-average ratio. (VP)

  • School resumes after the winter holidays break

    School resumes after the winter holidays break

    The winter holidays are over, so starting Monday
    pupils have returned to schools and nursery schools. According to the calendar
    adopted by the Education Ministry, the current school year is divided into five
    modules followed by 5 holidays. The next holiday can be planned by school
    inspectorates in the February 6-26 period. Beyond strictly administrative
    details, the top concern is the current epidemiological context. Last week the
    Health Ministry declared a state of epidemiological alert in the context of
    large numbers of flu infection. Jointly with the Education Ministry, the Health
    Ministry also issued a series of recommendations designed to prevent the spread
    of the virus in schooling units.

    School managers need to inform parents or
    legal guardians regarding the symptoms of flu and other respiratory infections
    in order to help conduct epidemiological triage upon entering schools. Parents
    are asked to keep their children home if they display related symptoms and
    refer to their family physicians or pediatric specialists. A daily triage will
    be performed on a daily basis at the start of each school shift. Triage will be
    performed on observation basis in units that do not employ medical staff,
    whereas those that do can perform the triage with their help. Hand and surface
    sanitizers must be made available in every unit, in addition to ensuring
    periodical ventilation of classrooms and instructing children regarding
    sanitary etiquette for coughing and sneezing.

    The Education Ministry has called
    on school inspectors to help keep schools open and focus on prevention.
    Minister Ligia Deca pointed out that the ministry encourages continuous class
    participation. After two years of pandemic, it is important to keep up the pace
    and ensure high levels of class attendance, the Romanian official added. We
    recall Romania did not have the best experience with online classes during the
    COVID pandemic. For this reason, in the context of growing numbers of
    infections with flu and other seasonal viruses, it is advisable all children
    are provided with access to education. In the event they display symptoms
    associated with respiratory infections, they should be isolated at home and
    subsequently catch up with school curricula. (VP)





















  • Flu virus warning

    Flu virus warning

    For over two years, the
    seasonal flu has all but disappeared from the list of top concerns, experts
    preferring to focus their undivided attention on the coronavirus. Now that the
    pandemic risk has toned down, the flu virus has returned to the spotlight. In
    Romania, doctors warn that the virus has already begun to spread. The start of
    a new school year has caused an increase in the number of respiratory
    infections. Medical doctor Cecilia Rotar explains:


    We’ve had three cases that
    were confirmed by lab results, reported in children aged 9 months to 4 years. A
    person without a medical history will be less affected by the virus. But if we
    refer to people with low immunity, children under 4 years of age, pregnant
    women, adults with a history of heart disease or diabetes, the evolution of the
    disease will be slower and may lead to complications. My recommendation is that
    people should see a doctor if they have the slightest suspicion they might be
    sick or if parents decide they can’t treat their children at home. We’ll take
    over and decide the best course of action.


    Health experts expect a
    larger impact of the flu virus this winter, after two years of being kept in
    check due to anti-COVID safety restrictions. This is why vaccination remains
    key to reducing the risk of infection, both in the case of the flu virus and
    for coronavirus, particularly for at-risk categories. The first vaccine batches
    are already available in drugstores. Epidemiologist Emilian Popovici says
    people can take both the anti-flu and the anti-COVID vaccine on the same day.


    There is no sign of
    incompatibility between the two vaccines, on the contrary, they can be
    administered on the same day, although not in the same arm. If we administer
    one vaccine in the right arm, then we administer the other one in the left arm.
    Moderna at one point announced its plans to develop a bivalent vaccine against
    both the flu virus and SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, these vaccines are important and
    they are administered depending on the medical history of each person.


    Flu is a seasonal
    respiratory virus that manifests differently in each person and may even lead
    to death. (VP)

  • February 20, 2020 UPDATE

    February 20, 2020 UPDATE


    COUNCIL
    MEETING – Romania wants consistent financing for cohesion and agriculture
    policies, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday in Brussels on the
    sidelines of a special session of the European Council, which has high on its
    agenda the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the period between 2021 and
    2027. Other topics the President mentioned were digitization, artificial
    intelligence, research and student mobility. Klaus Iohannis also wants the EU
    budget to be bigger than the previous one. Statements by several European
    leaders on Wednesday suggest that negotiations over the EU’s multiannual
    budget, the first after Brexit, are going to be tough and complicated. The
    purpose of the meeting is to reach consensus on the proposals elaborated on
    February 14 by European Council president, Charles Michel.




    MEETING
    – Foreign Minister designate Bogdan Aurescu on Thursday met in Berlin with his
    German counterpart, Heiko Mass, in the context of celebrating 140 years of
    bilateral diplomatic relations. Aurescu recalled Romania’s legitimate goal of
    joining the Schengen Area, highlighting our country’s fulfillment of all
    technical criteria and the important contribution to EU security. The Romanian
    official said the functioning of the Schengen Area will not be complete without
    Romania’s accession. The two officials expressed convergent views regarding the
    strategic importance of the EU’s enlargement policy, the Romanian Minister
    reiterating Romania’s support for opening EU accession negotiations with
    Albania and North Macedonia. The two also discussed the Three Seas Initiative,
    with the Romanian official expressing Romania’s support for Germany becoming a
    full member. Heiko Mass expressed his gratitude for Romania’s full observance
    of the rights of ethnic Germans living in Romania. Bogdan Aurescu also met with
    the head of the Presidential Administration in Berlin, Stephan Steinlein.




    ATTACKS
    – Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis has firmly condemned the violent attacks
    against innocent people in the German city of Hanau. Iohannis has expressed
    condolences to those who lost relatives and friends adding that Romania stands
    in solidarity with Germany, Iohannis wrote on Twitter on Thursday. Nine people
    were killed in a shooting in Hanau, close to Frankfurt, on Wednesday. The
    culprit who was found dead in his house, allegedly expressed far-right views in
    a letter of confession.




    FLU VIRUS
    – The number of people who’ve died to the flu virus this flu season in Romania
    has reached 44. The last 4 victims are women aged 41-79, none of whom had taken
    the anti-flu shot. Some 7,600 new cases have been reported in Romania, a number
    above experts’ estimates. Medical professionals say the number of acute
    respiratory disease and flu virus infections will continue to rise over the
    coming period. Dozens of schools and kindergartens are partially or fully
    closed down due to the flu.




    CORONAVIRUS
    – China on Thursday reported the most significant drop in the number of
    infections with the new coronavirus in the Hubei province, the centre of the
    epidemic. This is the lowest rate in the past month although at national level,
    China has reported 114 new deaths, which bring the death toll up to 2,118 and
    the total number of infections to 74,500. In another development, two elderly
    people from the cruise liner Diamond Princess, where 600 people have been
    infected with the new virus, have also died, authorities in Japan have
    announced. The ship was quarantined in the port of Yokohama in early February.
    Those infected, including two Romanian nationals, are being treated in
    hospitals in Japan. The other 15 Romanians on board, who are healthy, will be
    repatriated under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. So far 6 of them, two
    passengers and 4 crew members, have expressed their willingness to return to
    Romania, the Foreign Ministry reports. The ship was quarantined until
    Wednesday, when disembarking procedures commenced.




    TRAVEL FAIR
    – The spring edition of Romania’s Travel Fair is underway in Bucharest from Thursday
    until Sunday. The event has brought together over 300 travel agencies offering
    holiday packages in Romania and abroad including for the upcoming Easter
    holidays. Operators are pledging significant price cuts, even down to 50%. The
    most sought-after destinations are Turkey, Greece, Spain, Tunisia and Egypt but
    there are also exotic destinations like Bali or Thailand.




    WEIGHTLIFTING
    – Romania will host the Under-20 World Weightlifting Championships in Bucharest
    over March 14-21. The competition is rated Gold in the run-up to the Olympic
    Games in Tokyo. Some 350 athletes from up to 70 countries have enrolled, the
    president of the Romanian Weightlifting Federation, Nicu Vlad, has said. Representing
    Romania will be 15 athletes.


    (translated by V. Palcu)

  • February 10, 2020

    February 10, 2020

    GOVERNMENT – Prime Minister designate Ludovic Orban announced he would submit today the list of ministers and an updated governing program in Parliament with a view to starting procedures for swearing in the new government. Ludovic Orban said the Executive Bureau of the National Liberal Party has unanimously approved the structure of the new Cabinet. The announcement comes after President Klaus Iohannis designated the Liberal leader to form a new cabinet. The decision was made after the first Orban government was dismissed on Wednesday through a no confidence motion initiated by the main opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, following the government’s decision to take responsibility for a bill on returning to the two-round voting system for local elections, only a few months ahead of the elections. The Liberals have already said they would not vote their own Cabinet, hoping this would trigger early elections. The Social-Democrats are opposing early elections, although they claim they are ready for any kind of election. Meanwhile the Social-Democratic Party is today notifying the Constitutional Court over Orban’s second appointment, after the latter had just been removed from office, claiming there is an institutional conflict between Parliament and the presidency.

    IAEA – Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday will co-preside the ministerial meeting of the International Conference for Nuclear Security, held under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Conference is held every three years. Co-presiding alongside Romania this year is Panama. Both states are managing the negotiation of the Ministerial Declaration to be adopted on this occasion. The Conference, venued in Vienna, will also include a scientific and technical section, where Romania will also be represented. On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Aurescu will hold bilateral meetings with the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and the OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger.

    STATISTICS – The trade balance deficit deepened in Romania in 2019, standing at 17.28 billion euros, by 2.16 billion more than in 2018. Exports increased by 1.9% and imports by 4.2%, according to data released on Monday by the National Statistics Institute. The highest shares in the structure of exports and imports are represented by automobiles and transport equipment and other manufactured goods. 6.9% of total exports was represented by foodstuffs and livestock, while the imports of the same category of goods stood at 7.8%. According to the Institute, Romania’s exports of raw materials, non-food products, mineral fuels and lubricants dropped.

    FLU VIURS – The number of people who died to the flu virus this season has reached 25, after another two people, two women, aged 64 and 66, respectively, have died. Both had previous medical conditions. On Thursday authorities officially declared a flu epidemic. Over 16,000 students nationwide are affected by the partial or full suspension of classes. Specialists warn the number of sick is likely to increase next week as well, given that few Romanians have taken the anti-flu shot.

    CORONAVIRUS – Two Romanian citizens, transported from China to Germany via emergency medical evacuation flights, have been brought to Bucharest by a military aircraft. According to the Health Ministry, their condition is stable and neither is exhibiting any symptoms. The two will remain under medical observation for 14 days. The new coronavirus has killed over 900 people in continental China, where the number of the infected has exceeded 40,000, according to the latest figures released by the authorities today. The authorities have also confirmed a relative slowdown in the epidemic’s progression. Most international airliners have cancelled all flights to continental China.

    ACADEMY AWARDS – The South-Korean feature film Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, has made history at the 92nd edition of the Oscar Awards, after scooping 4 trophies, becoming the first foreign-language film to win the award for best film. Parasite is a satire about the gap between the rich and the poor in South Korea. The film also won the award for best directing, best foreign film and best original script. 1917, Sam Mendes’s film about World War One, won three Oscars, for best image, best sound editing and best visual effects. Joaquin Phoenix grabbed the best lead actor award for his part in Joker, the story of an aspiring artist turned serial killer. Renee Zellweger was awarded the award for best lead actress for her interpretation of the legendary Judy Garland. Bradd Pitt won the award for best supporting actor in once Upon a Time in Hollywood, while Laura Dern was bestowed the award for best supporting actress for her part in Marriage Story, where she’s interpreting a divorce lawyer.

    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • February 9, 2020

    February 9, 2020

    GOVERNMENT – Prime Minister designate Ludovic Orban announced he would submit, on Monday, in Parliament the list of ministers and an updated governing program with a view to starting procedures for swearing in the new government. The announcement came after President Klaus Iohannis designated the Liberal leader to from a new cabinet. The decision was made after the first Orban government was dismissed on Wednesday through a no confidence motion initiated by the main opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, following the government’s decision to take responsibility for a bill on returning to the two-round voting system for local elections, only a few months ahead of the elections. The Romanian president also reiterated his opinion that holding early elections was the best option for Romania at the moment. Interim Social-Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu announced his party is considering the possibility of notifying the Constitutional Court on Orban’s appointment, who was just ousted as Prime Minister. To call early elections Parliament must reject two consecutive proposals of Prime Minister designate.

    MERGER – The leadership of Save Romania Union, the 3rd largest party in the Romanian Parliament and of PLUS, led by the former Prime Minister and European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, met on Saturday in separate meetings to decide on a merger. The two parties will next agree on the conditions. Following internal elections called at the initiative of the Union president Dan Barna, 91% of the Union members voted for their party to be positioned on the center-right side of the political spectrum. Elected on common lists, Save Romania Union and PLUS MEPs are affiliated to the Renew Europe centrist group in the European Parliament.

    TOURISTS – Over 12.8 million foreign tourists crossed Romania’s borders in 2019, up by 9% compared to 2018, the National Statistics Institute reports. Nearly half of them originated from EU Member States, 90% of whom were from continental Europe. The largest share of foreign tourists was represented by tourists from neighboring Moldova. Compared to 2018, Romania reported a growing number of arrivals from Africa, America and Australia. Road transport was the most frequent choice by foreign tourists to reach Romania, although rail and naval transport have also gone up by 10% compared to the previous year.

    FLU VIRUS – Sunday was the fourth day since a flu epidemic was called in Romania, experts saying the number of sick will increase over the coming weeks, as many people haven’t taken the anti-flu shot. The death toll for this flu season has reached 23. Physicians recommend people to avoid overcrowded places, observe hygiene rules and carry out triage in collectivities, especially schooling units.

    HANDBALL – Romanian vice-champions CSM Bucharest on Saturday defeated Vipers Kristiansand of Norway 25-23 away from home in Champions League’s Group 1. CSM ranks 4th in the group tables, behind Metz of France, Team Esbjerg of Denmark and Rostov Don of Russia. The position allows CSM to qualify to the Champions League quarterfinals. Romanian champions SCM Ramnicu Valcea also on Saturday lost 20-29 to Gyori Audi ETO KC of Hungary. Gyori is top of the group tables, followed by Brest Bretagne Handball of France and Buducnost Podgorica of Montenegro.

    FED CUP – Romania lost 2-3 to Russia at home in the Fed Cup and missed the chance to qualify to the final tournament in April. On Saturday, in the decisive doubles match, Jaqueline Cristian and Gabriela Ruse lost to Ana Blinkova and Ana Kalinskaya in straight sets, 3-6, 2-6. Simona Halep, Irina Begu and Monica Niculescu did not represent Romania, preferring to focus on WTA tournaments in order to secure qualification to the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year. Florin Segarceanu called up to the Fed Cup squad Ana Bogdan (90 WTA), Irina Bara (160 WTA), Elena Gabriela Ruse (166 WTA), Raluca Olaru (47 WTA doubles standings) and Jaqueline Cristian (197 WTA). Bara, Ruse and Cristian were on their first appearance on Romania’s Fed Cup team.

    (translated by V. Palcu)

  • January 27, 2020 UPDATE

    January 27, 2020 UPDATE

    PARLIAMENT – The
    Romanian Parliament on Monday met in an extraordinary sitting, which will last until
    Wednesday evening, to discuss the elimination of special pensions and the
    election of mayors in two rounds, with the government seeking to pass the
    latter bill by assuming responsibility for it. The Social Democrats, supported
    by the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, are planning to file
    the motion next week. President Klaus Iohannis said that if the motion passes,
    he will nominate Ludovic Orban again for the position of Prime Minister. With
    regard to the pensions bill, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban says his party is in
    favour of calculating pensions based on the contribution principle, with the
    exception of service pensions for the military. The interim president of the
    Social Democratic Party Marcel Ciolacu says the bill is unconstitutional because
    it also eliminates the special pensions for magistrates.




    COMMEMORATION -
    Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban on Monday attended in Poland the official
    events marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi
    concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Over 200 Holocaust survivors and
    delegations from 50 countries attended the events. Polish president Andrzej
    Duda was joined by Holocaust survivors in paying floral tributes to the Death
    Wall, where Nazi SS troops executed thousands of people. Israeli President
    Reuven Rivlin pointed out racism and anti-Semitism should be combated
    decisively, with determination and zero compromise. The Romanian government has
    reiterated its commitment to continue efforts to assume responsibility for the
    country’s past, to promote education and research on the Holocaust and
    commemorate the victims. Last week, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis attended
    an international Holocaust remembrance forum in Israel and on Monday he
    decorated several Holocaust survivors.






    MERGER – Talks
    are ongoing in Bucharest over a possible merger between Save Romania Union and
    PLUS, currently forming an alliance. The permanent bureaus of the two parties
    agreed on Monday to summon a congress on this matter in July. The branches of
    the two parties are encouraged to designate common candidates for the upcoming
    local election.




    CORONAVIRUS – The
    authorities in Bucharest are considering whether to introduce thermal scanners
    on airports in Romania. These instruments can detect the persons whose body
    temperature is higher than 38 degrees Celsius, as high fever is one of the
    symptoms of the new coronavirus. There is currently one unconfirmed case in
    Romania, although doctors say it is very unlikely for the patient to be a
    carrier of the coronavirus. In China, tighter measures are being taken to
    contain the spread of the virus, which has already killed over 80 people. In
    Beijing, the authorities have postponed the reopening of schools, more travel
    restrictions are in place and wearing a face mask is becoming obligatory. The
    director of the World Health Organization arrived in Beijing on Monday to
    discuss the possibility of a global outbreak. In China, the number of confirmed
    cases is nearing 3,000. The coronavirus, which originates in animals and causes
    pneumonia, has spread to Europe, the United States and Australia. The symptoms
    include severe coughing, fever and breathing problems, and in some cases
    failure of the vital organs.




    FLU VIRUS -
    Another person has died in Romania because of the flu, with the total number
    reaching four since the beginning of the season. The latest victim is a
    43-year-old man from Sibiu County. Several schooling units have been shot down
    due to viral respiratory infections or the flu virus. Doctors recall that
    vaccination is the only effective prevention measure. The number of people who
    have taken the anti-flu vaccine in Romania is higher than last year, when
    almost 200 people died because of the complications caused by the flu.




    TENNIS – World
    no. 3 Simona Halep of Romania on Monday defeated Belgium’s Elise Mertens, world
    no. 17, in straight sets, in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the
    first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. In the next round, Halep will
    face the Estonian player Anett Kontaveit, world no. 31. A finalist in Melbourne
    in 2018, Halep has won both of her previous matches against Kontaveit, which
    took place in 2017, in Miami and Rome. Also on Monday, in the women’s doubles,
    the Romanian-Japanese pair Monica Niculescu and Misaki Doi lost to Hao-ching
    Chan and Latisha Chan of Taiwan in straight sets in the fourth round. On
    February 3, Simona Halep will become the tennis player with the most
    consecutive weeks in the top 10 WTA among the players born after 1980. She will
    reach the 315 mark, overtaking the current holder of the record, the Swiss
    player Martina Hingis, who spent 314 consecutive weeks in the top 10.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • January 23, 2020

    January 23, 2020

    FORUM -
    President Klaus Iohannis is today attending the fifth edition of the World
    Holocaust Forum, marking 75 years since the liberation of the
    Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, titled Remembering the Holocaust,
    Fighting Antisemitism. This is the widest public event ever hosted by the Yad
    Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. Previously, President Iohannis ensured
    his Israeli counterpart, Reuven Rivlin, that Romania would continue to support
    the preservation of Holocaust memory, combat anti-Semitism, prevent
    discrimination and any means of violence. Romanian Crown custodian Margareta on
    Thursday sent a letter to the Israeli president, reminding of the Romanian
    Royal Family’s contribution to eradicating anti-Semitism, racism and
    xenophobia. HM Queen Margareta and
    Prince Radu were the first members of the Romanian Royal Family to visit the
    State of Israel in April 2014. Representing King Mihai I, the two visited the
    Yad Vashem Memorial Museum, observed a moment of silence before the engraved
    tomb devoted to Queen Elena, while Queen Margareta lit the eternal flame in the
    Hall of Remembrance.




    JHA -
    Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu is as of today attending the two-day informal
    meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council hosted by Zagreb,
    Croatia. This is the first ministerial meeting hosted under the Croatian
    Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In the justice section, line
    ministers will address progress on strategic policies in the fields of liberty,
    security and justice, legal education and the importance of legal networks in
    the civilian and trade sectors. According to a Romanian Justice Ministry
    release, talks focus on civil and criminal law cooperation, border protection,
    modernizing and digitizing judicial systems and adapting to the impact of AI.




    FUNDS -
    Romania has so far absorbed 11.04 billion euros from EU structural funds over
    2014-2020 under the Cohesion and Common Agricultural policies. Adding to this
    sum is another 7.92 billion euros in direct payments to farmers, Carmen Moraru,
    State Secretary with the Romanian Ministry for European Funds, has said.
    Romania’s absorption rate has thus reached 36%, 3% below the European average.
    The Romanian official recalled that in the 2014-2020 period Romania was
    allotted 22.4 billion euros under the Cohesion Policy. As regards the 2021-2027
    financial framework, Romania will be earmarked 30.6 billion euros. Carmen
    Moraru attended a series of meetings in Brussels at the European Commission and
    European Parliament, and paid a visit to the Orsi Academy in Ghent, Belgium, a
    pioneering research project funded under the Cohesion Policy.




    FLU VIRUS -
    A 78-year-old man from Arges County has died to the flu virus , raising the
    death toll at 3 since the start of the winter season. Arges is one of the most
    affected counties, alongside Brasov and Cluj and the capital city, where
    hundreds of cases have been reported. Classes were temporarily suspended in
    several schools and kindergartens. At national level, over a quarter of
    patients presenting symptoms were officially diagnosed with the flu virus.
    Doctors warn the only real prevention measure is vaccination. The number of
    Romanians who have taken the anti-flu shot this year is higher compared to
    2019, when some 200 people died to complications caused by the flu virus.




    CORONAVIRUS – The World
    Health Organization (WHO) is today expected to decide whether to call the
    viral outbreak in Wuhan China a global emergency. The so-called coronavirus has
    so far killed 17 people and sickened hundreds of people. On Wednesday, after
    long hours of debate at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, the members of the special
    committee set up to advise on how to deal with the outbreak were equally
    divided in their vote in favor or against calling a global emergency. In the
    past the WHO has called international alerts five times: before the H1N1 viral
    outbreak of 2009, in 2014 for the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, in the
    Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019, again for an Ebola outbreak, for
    poliomyelitis in 2014 and for the Zika virus in 2016. The new coronavirus has been
    reported in 13 Chinese provinces and the Hong Kong and Macao special
    administrative regions. 4 infections were reported in Thailand and 1 each in
    Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Wuhan is currently on
    lockdown, all means of public transport having been shut down.




    TENNIS -
    Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, seeded fourth at the Australian Open, has
    today defeated Harriet Dart of Great Britain (173 WTA), in straight sets, 6-2,
    6-4 in the competition’s second round. A finalist in 2018 in Melbourne, Halep
    is the only Romanian left in the competition, after Sorana Cirstea (74 WTA) was
    ousted on Wednesday by Cori Gauff of the United States. Romania is also
    represented in the women’s doubles.


    (Translated by V.
    Palcu)

  • January 21, 2020 UPDATE

    January 21, 2020 UPDATE


    VISIT – President Klaus Iohannis is
    as of Tuesday in Israel, where he is attending the Global Forum Remembering
    Holocaust – Fighting anti-Semitism, marking 75 years since the liberation of
    the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp and the International Holocaust
    Remembrance Day. The main ceremonies will be held on Thursday at the Yad Vashem
    Holocaust Memorial. In Jerusalem, Klaus Iohannis met with his Israeli
    counterpart, Reuven Rivlin, who referred to the close relations with Romania,
    hailing our country’s participation in condemning the Holocaust. In turn,
    President Iohannis said Romania remains fully committed to preserving Holocaust
    memory, combating anti-Semitism and preventing any forms of violence. On
    Wednesday, President Iohannis will meet with the leader of the Blue and White
    Alliance in opposition, Benjamin Gantz.




    PROPOSALS – The Romanian Justice Minister
    Catalin Predoiu on Tuesday announced the proposals for the offices of
    Prosecutor General, head of the National Anticorruption Directorate and head of
    the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT):
    Gabriela Scutea, Crin Bologa and Giorgiana Hosu respectively. The proposals
    will be submitted to the Superior Council of Magistracy, which has an advisory
    role, and the last decision is to be made by president Klaus Iohannis, who can
    turn them down once. The selection procedure started on December 2nd
    last year, and 18 prosecutors have been interviewed on legislation, judicial
    error, the Caracal case and other topics of interest.




    PER DIEM – The Romanian military,
    gendarmes and police attending mission abroad will receive per diems as high as
    those received by the foreign partners, according to a Government decision. The
    document was initiated by the defense and interior ministers, Nicolae Ciuca and
    Marcel Vela, respectively, following talks with Romanian soldiers and gendarmes
    during December’s visit to Afghanistan. Therefore, the per diem can go up to
    140 Euro per day, depending on the risk level in the areas where they carry out
    their missions and operations.




    SPECIAL PENSIONS – Several courts of law in
    Bucharest and another seven large cities in Romania announced they would
    suspend their activity, judges being displeased with the impending repeal of
    special pensions. The Judicial Inspection claims the bill repealing special
    pensions is a brutal violation of the principles of independence and immovability
    of judges, as well as articles in the Constitution and ECHR provisions. On
    January 28, the Chamber of Deputies will convene to debate a bill on repealing
    this type of pensions, which shun the principle of fair contribution and which
    have sparked heated debates across Romanian society.




    FLU VIRUS – Classes in several schools and
    kindergartens in Bucharest were suspended on Tuesday due to the flu virus.
    Since the start of the winter season, some 165 cases of flu were reported in Romania,
    2 people dying to the virus. Most cases are reported in Arges, Brasov and Cluj
    counties and in Bucharest. At national level, over a quarter of patients
    reporting symptoms have been officially diagnosed with the flu virus. Doctors
    warn the only way to prevent the virus from spreading is vaccination. The
    number of Romanians who have taken the anti-flu vaccine this year is higher
    than last year, when some 150 people died to complications caused by the flu.
    The Health Minister has called on experts to devise an additional action plan
    to prevent and limit the disease from spreading, and elaborate a set of
    response measures in the case of a coronavirus being reported in Romania.




    TENNIS -
    Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, no.3 in the WTA rankings, on Tuesday
    defeated the American Jennifer Brady 7-6, 6-1, in the first round of the
    Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. Also on Tuesday,
    Irina Begu (105 WTA), lost the match against the Dutch Kiki Bertens (10 WTA),
    1-6, 4-6, and Monica Niculescu was defeated by the French Alize Cornet, 5-7,
    6-1, 6-0. Another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea, has already qualified for the
    second round, where she will play against the American Cori Gauff.


    (Translated
    by V. Palcu)

  • December 26, 2019 UPDATE

    December 26, 2019 UPDATE

    CHRISTMAS – Orthodox Christians on Thursday, on the
    second day of Christmas, celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This
    old and important feast day is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who brought Jesus
    Christ into the world, and was first celebrated 1,500 years ago. Christians in
    Romania have celebrated the Nativity of Jesus Christ this week.




    STATISTICS – Over 2 million foreigners visited
    Romania in the first 9 months of the year, spending some 1.15 billion euros,
    according to the National Statistics Institute. Half of them traveled for
    business, taking part in conferences, congresses, classes, trade fairs and
    exhibitions. Foreign tourists spend 50% of their money on accommodation,
    preferring units that offered included breakfast. Some 18% of the money was
    spent in restaurants and bars, while a little over 30% represented gifts and
    souvenirs. 80% of foreign tourists came to Romania by plane, 11% using their personal
    cars and 7% by bus and coach.




    MIGRANTS – The number of migrants who reached Italy in 2019 was
    half compared to 2018, the Italian Interior Ministry reports. Compared to 2017,
    the number of immigrants dropped by some 90%. Since the start of 2019, some
    11,500 immigrants reached Italy, mostly from Tunisia, Pakistan and the Ivory
    Coast. Italy is offering money and equipment to restore the effectiveness of
    the Libyan Coast Guard, in order to be able to intercept migrants trying to
    reach European shores. The number of arrivals in Italy is going down, yet
    critics argue this was made possible by violating human rights, considering
    immigrants locked in Libyan camps were exposed to severe abuses and torture.
    After the change of Government in Italy in 2018, the then Interior Minister and
    leader of the Lega Nord far-right Party, Matteo Salvini, introduced harsh
    anti-immigration policies. The new center-left Government that took office in
    September, has switched to a milder attitude towards rescue organizations,
    allowing ships saving migrants to dock.




    ACCIDENTS – A total of 44 road traffic accidents
    have occurred in the last couple of days in Romania, killing 19 people and
    gravely wounding another 33 people, the Romanian Police General Inspectorate
    reports. Traffic agents have seized 500 drivers’ licenses and approximately 90
    registration certificates. Although the number of people killed in traffic
    accidents has been on the wane in the last three years, Romania continues to
    rank 1st at EU level with the highest number of road traffic
    victims.




    FLU -The number of people who have the flu is low at present, with only
    isolated cases having been reported, the National Center for the Surveillance
    and Control of Communicable Diseases reports. Physicians warn vaccination
    remains the only effective weapon against the flu virus. The number of Romanians
    who have taken the flu vaccine this year is slightly higher than in 2018, when
    around 150 people died due to complications caused by the flu. A total of 33
    cases of flu virus infections were reported this winter season, with 1 person
    dying to the virus.




    COMMEMORATION – Entire communities in Asia on Thursday
    commemorated the 230,000 victims of the 2004 earthquake and ensuing tsunami in
    the Indian Ocean, marking 15 years since one of the biggest natural disasters,
    Reuters reports. On Christmas morning in 2004, a 9.1 Richter-scale earthquake
    occurred off the coast of Indonesia’s Aceh province, triggering a wave as high
    as 17.4 meters that swept coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India,
    Thailand and another nine countries in the region. In the Aceh Indonesian
    province alone entire villages were wiped off the map, killing some 125,000
    people. More than 25,600 residential, commercial, government and school
    buildings now stand inside the high-risk area, which was almost completely
    wiped out in 2004.




    STRIKE IN PARIS – The strike against the reform of the
    pension system in France continued for the fourth consecutive week in Paris. On
    Christmas Day, surface and underground trains in Paris were canceled or
    delayed. On the second day of Christmas, on Thursday, traffic was disrupted,
    with one in two high-speed trains being cancelled and five subway lines being
    shut down. The Government in Paris, backed by the European Commission, says the
    reform of the pension system is necessary, trying to merge the country’s 42
    pension schemes into one, thus eliminating the regime of special pensions,
    especially those for public transport workers who can enjoy early retirement.
    Unions will stage wide-ranging protest actions on Saturday. Union
    representatives will meet with Government officials on January 7 for the first
    in a series of meetings that will take place before the bill is presented to
    the Council of Ministers on January 22.


    (Translated
    by V. Palcu)

  • December 26, 2019

    December 26, 2019

    CHRISTMAS – Orthodox Christians on Thursday, on the
    second day of Christmas, celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This
    old and important feast day is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who brought Jesus
    Christ into the world, and was first celebrated 1,500 years ago. Christians in
    Romania have celebrated the Nativity of Jesus Christ this week.




    MIGRANTS – The number of migrants who reached Italy in 2019 was
    half compared to 2018, the Italian Interior Ministry reports. Compared to 2017,
    the number of immigrants dropped by some 90%. Since the start of 2019, some
    11,500 immigrants reached Italy, mostly from Tunisia, Pakistan and the Ivory
    Coast. Italy is offering money and equipment to restore the effectiveness of
    the Libyan Coast Guard, in order to be able to intercept migrants trying to
    reach European shores. The number of arrivals in Italy is going down, yet
    critics argue this was made possible by violating human rights, considering
    immigrants locked in Libyan camps were exposed to severe abuses and torture.
    After the change of Government in Italy in 2018, the then Interior Minister and
    leader of the Lega Nord far-right Party, Matteo Salvini, introduced harsh
    anti-immigration policies. The new center-left Government that took office in
    September, has switched to a milder attitude towards rescue organizations,
    allowing ships saving migrants to dock.




    ACCIDENTS – A total of 44 road traffic accidents
    have occurred in the last couple of days in Romania, killing 19 people and
    gravely wounding another 33 people, the Romanian Police General Inspectorate reports.
    Traffic agents have seized 500 drivers’ licenses and approximately 90
    registration certificates. Although the number of people killed in traffic
    accidents has been on the wane in the last three years, Romania continues to
    rank 1st at EU level with the highest number of road traffic
    victims.




    FLU -The number of people who have the flu is low at present, with only
    isolated cases having been reported, the National Center for the Surveillance
    and Control of Communicable Diseases reports. Physicians warn vaccination
    remains the only effective weapon against the flu virus. The number of
    Romanians who have taken the flu vaccine this year is slightly higher than in
    2018, when around 150 people died due to complications caused by the flu. A
    total of 33 cases of flu virus infections were reported this winter season,
    with 1 person dying to the virus.




    COMMEMORATION – Entire communities in Asia on Thursday
    commemorated the 230,000 victims of the 2004 earthquake and ensuing tsunami in
    the Indian Ocean, marking 15 years since one of the biggest natural disasters,
    Reuters reports. On Christmas morning in 2004, a 9.1 Richter-scale earthquake
    occurred off the coast of Indonesia’s Aceh province, triggering a wave as high
    as 17.4 meters that swept coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India,
    Thailand and another nine countries in the region. In the Aceh Indonesian province
    alone entire villages were wiped off the map, killing some 125,000 people. More
    than 25,600 residential, commercial, government and school buildings now stand
    inside the high-risk area, which was almost completely wiped out in 2004.




    STRIKE IN PARIS – The strike against the reform of the
    pension system in France continued for the fourth consecutive week in Paris. On
    Christmas Day, surface and underground trains in Paris were canceled or
    delayed. On the second day of Christmas, on Thursday, traffic was disrupted,
    with one in two high-speed trains being cancelled and five subway lines being
    shut down. The Government in Paris, backed by the European Commission, says the
    reform of the pension system is necessary, trying to merge
    the country’s 42 pension schemes into one, thus eliminating the regime of
    special pensions, especially those for public transport workers who can enjoy
    early retirement. Unions will stage wide-ranging protest actions on Saturday.
    Union representatives will meet with Government officials on January 7 for the
    first in a series of meetings that will take place before the bill is presented
    to the Council of Ministers on January 22.


    (Translated
    by V. Palcu)

  • March 13, 2018 UPDATE

    March 13, 2018 UPDATE

    ROMANIA-US RELATIONS – The Romanian Government on Tuesday announced the setup of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the implementation of results obtained under the Strategic Partnership with the USA and other Romanian-US bilateral projects. According to a Government release, the Committee will be coordinated by Ana Birchall and will compile the efforts of the ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Finance and the Economy. The committee will convene on a quarterly basis or in case of emergency with the purpose of monitoring the status of implementing the desired projects.




    DEFENSE – Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday received NATO
    Defense Ministers from the alliance’s eastern flank. The President expressed confidence
    the NATO Summit of July in Brussels will contribute to adapting NATO to current
    security challenges and threats. Previously, Defense Minister Mihai Fifor said on
    the sidelines of the Bucharest Initiative that states on NATO’s Eastern flank
    share a series of concerns, from the prospect of approaching security risks and
    threats. Participants agreed closer cooperation is needed to consolidate NATO’s
    eastern flank. Attending were Defense Ministers from nine former communist
    states, including Romania, NATO officials and representatives of the US
    Department of Defense. The Initiative was launched in 2014 as a platform for
    stepping up cooperation between NATO allies.




    INFLATION – The Romanian National Institute of Statistics put out inflation figures recently. According to official data, the annual rate of inflation in the country went up to 4.7% from 4.3% in January. The increase is believed to be due to increases in the price of food, consumer products and services. Food products went up in price by 3.7% compared to February, while consumer products went up in price by 6.27%. Services went up in cost by 3% compared to last year. Last month, the Romanian National Bank adjusted its forecast for inflation as by the end of the year from 3.2% to 3.5%.



    HEALTHCARE – Trade unions in the healthcare sector on Tuesday held talks with Line Minister Sorina Pintea, demanding a 25% increase of the base salary for the medical staff and the elimination of the 30% ceiling for bonuses. After the meeting unionists confirmed protests would continue next week. On Wednesday a public debate on bonus regulations will be held in Bucharest. Minister Pintea expressed hope a solution will be found to avoid the situation from escalating.



    ACQUITTAL – Former head of the Romanian Financial Administration Authority Sorin Blejnar on Tuesday was acquitted in a case where he was accused of supporting a criminal group and tax evasion. Prosecutors claim that in 2010 oil products were traded illegally, which made the state incur losses worth €4.5 million. The products were sold by a crime group to Romanian, Hungarian and Italian citizens. Prosecutors say the crime group enjoyed the support of several decision-makers, including the Financial Administration Authority. Blejnar is currently subject to several pending investigation.



    FLU – The flu has killed 99 people in Romania this season according to the latest toll published by the National Centre for the Supervision and Control of Communicable Diseases. The number of respiratory infections has also gone up last week to over 140,000 cases, 67% more than the same period last year. Healthcare Minister Sorina Pintea says Romania is not faced with a flu epidemic.



    WHITE HOUSE – US President Donald Trump on Tuesday replaced Rex Tillerson at the helm of the State Department with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. The White House leader said the replacement follows disagreements with Tillerson over Irans nuclear programme and he wanted to appoint a new team ahead of historic negotiations with North Korea. Replacing Pompeo at the helm of the CIA will be Gina Haspel, the CIA Deputy Director, thus becoming the first woman to hold this position.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • March 10, 2018 UPDATE

    March 10, 2018 UPDATE

    CONGRESS — Bucharest on Saturday played host to an extraordinary congress of the main ruling coalition party in Romania, the Social-Democratic Party. The Congress occasioned elections for the positions of executive president, secretary general and vice-presidents. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila was elected executive president after two other candidates, former Education Minister Ecaterina Andronescu and former Healthcare Minister, Nicolae Banicioiu, pulled out of the race. 16 vice-presidents were elected, 8 men and 8 women for the 8 regions of the country. The congress also tackled the issue of strengthening the strategic partnership with the USA, continuing judicial reforms and financial support for the Republic of Moldova. Some 4,000 delegates from all over the country attended the congress.



    MILITARY – Over 1,700 Romanian and foreign troops are taking part until March 15, in a large-scale multinational exercise, organized by the Romanian Navy, in Dobrogea (south-eastern Romania) and in the international waters of the Black Sea. Spring Storm 18 is based on a unique training concept which brings together the navy, air and land forces, as part of a NATO immediate assurance action plan adopted at the 2016 Summit. Romanian troops are training jointly with fellow military from the US, France and Bulgaria, and from partner countries like Georgia and Ukraine.



    FLU — The Romanian National Public Health Institute announced another two people died to the flu virus, raising the death toll to 90 across Romania. Health Minister Sorina Pintea says there is no reason to declare an epidemic at this stage.



    STUDY — One in three Romanian teenagers is barely literate in reading and mathematics, reads a recent World Bank report. The document points out that the expanse of technology risks sinking Europe’s poorest countries further in poverty, deepening economic gaps between states. Another factor of concern is the fact that young people are not interested in learning a trade. In the last 15 years the number of jobs involving physical labour has dropped by 15% at EU level, while the number of jobs requiring analysis and creativity has gone up, the report further reveals.



    BOOK FAIR — Romania is guest of honor at the International Book Trade Fair in Leipzig, Germany. Attending the events are writers Mircea Cartarescu, Nora Iuga, Andrei Plesu and Varujan Vosganian. The Ministry of Culture and National Identity is organizing some 60 events at Romania’s pavilion under the motto “Romania. Zoom In”, including a concert by Ada Milea, with lyrics translated into German by Herta Muller, the Romanian-born winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2009. The International Book Fair in Leipzig started on Friday and will close on Sunday and is aimed at promoting contemporary literature.



    WHITE HOUSE — The White House has announced President Donald Trump has agreed to meet North-Korean leader Kim Jong-Un only if Pyongyang will undertake concrete action. Previously the White House leader said sanctions on North Korea stand until an agreement is reached. Additionally, President Trump said military operations with South Korea won’t be cancelled. On the other hand, Kim Jong-Un expressed commitment to work towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and promised to renounce testing further nuclear missiles.



    HANDBALL — Romanian champions CSM Bucharest on Saturday lost narrowly 24-25 away from home to Rostov-Don of Russia in the last fixture of Champions League Group 1. CSM ranks third in the group tables and will play Ferencvaros of Hungary or Metz of France. Also on Saturday SCM Craiova qualified to the EHF Cup semi-finals after winning 26-23 away from home against Lada Togliatti of Russia. In the first leg the Russian side won 25-23. On Sunday, also in the EHF Cup, HC Zalau is playing Kastamonu Belediyesi of Turkey. In the first leg, Zalau won 29-28.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • March 10, 2018

    March 10, 2018

    CONGRESS — Bucharest on Saturday is playing host to an extraordinary congress of the main ruling coalition party in Romania, the Social-Democratic Party. The Congress will occasion elections for the positions of executive president, secretary general and vice-presidents. The office of president, currently held by leader Liviu Dragnea, is not subject to vote, as all Social-Democratic branches across the country have expressed support for Dragnea. Running for the position of executive president of the party is Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, who enjoys the support of the Bucharest-Ilfov regional organization and that of party leader Liviu Dragnea. On Friday, the party’s National Executive Committee validated all the 24 candidacies submitted. Attended by 4,000 delegates from all over the country, the Congress is also expected to see the adoption of several governance resolutions.



    VISIT — Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu met in Zagreb with high-ranking officials, agreeing to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Melescanu attended the opening ceremony for the Romanian Honorific Consulate in Split, which will help support the Romanian community in the area and all Romanian citizens visiting Croatia. The Romanian official told Radio Romania that Bucharest and Zagreb agree on several topics of EU interest, such as identifying a viable solution that should ensure the proper functioning of the EU post-Brexit.



    MILITARY – Over 1,700 Romanian and foreign troops are taking part until March 15, in a large-scale multinational exercise, organized by the Romanian Navy, in Dobrogea (south-eastern Romania) and in the international waters of the Black Sea. Spring Storm 18 is based on a unique training concept which brings together the navy, air and land forces, as part of a NATO immediate assurance action plan adopted at the 2016 Summit. Romanian troops are training jointly with fellow military from the US, France and Bulgaria, and from partner countries like Georgia and Ukraine.



    FLU — The Romanian National Public Health Institute announced another two people died to the flu virus, raising the death toll to 90 across Romania. Health Minister Sorina Pintea says there is no reason to declare an epidemic at this stage.



    BOOK FAIR — Romania is guest of honor at the International Book Trade Fair in Leipzig, Germany. Attending the events are writers Mircea Cartarescu, Nora Iuga, Andrei Plesu and Varujan Vosganian. The Ministry of Culture and National Identity is organizing some 60 events at Romania’s pavilion under the motto “Romania. Zoom In”, including a concert by Ada Milea, with lyrics translated into German by Herta Muller, the Romanian-born winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2009. The International Book Fair in Leipzig started on Friday and will close on Sunday and is aimed at promoting contemporary literature.



    TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, the world’s no. 1 player, qualified to the third round of the WTA tournament in Indian Wells, US, after defeating Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Simona will next play Caroline Dolehide of the United States. Another Romanian, Irina Begu, was knocked out in the second round by Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, 7-6, 6-1. Sorana Cirstea will also play Venus Williams of the US in the second round.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)