COMMEMORATION – A day of mourning was on Saturday observed in Timișoara, western Romania, in memory
of the victims of the 1989 anti-communist revolution in Romania. Official
ceremonies were held on this occasion, commemorating the first clashes between
security forces of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s
dictatorship and people who took to the streets calling for freedom. The event
was also marked by means of exhibitions, film screenings, debates, concerts and
a special march. The anti-communist revolution in Romania broke out in Timișoara on December 16, 1989, and
expanded to Bucharest and other cities on December 21. Over 1,000 people were
killed and another 3,000 wounded in violent clashes. Romania was the only
country in Eastern Europe where the transition from communism resulted in
bloodshed.
PARTNERSHIP – The governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and
Romania on Saturday signed an agreement on creating a strategic partnership in
the field of green energy. In a special ceremony hosted by Bucharest, the
document was signed by the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime
Minister of Romania, Nicolae Ciucă, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli
Garibashvili, and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán. The agreement
stipulates the building of an underwater cable that would transport energy from
renewable sources from Azerbaijan to Romania, via Georgia and the Black Sea,
and from there to Hungary and the rest of Europe. The project represents yet
another step whereby Romania consolidates its energy security. On Friday, the
national gas providers of Romania and Azerbaijan, Romgaz and Socar,
respectively, signed a contract that will allow Romania to access additional
volumes of gas, when necessary. Romania is committed to invest in energy
production and infrastructure, Romania’s Prime Minister, Nicolae Ciucă said on Saturday. In turn, the president
of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, pointed out his country would become a major
provider of green electricity for Europe. Attending the signing ceremony were
also Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, and the European Commission
president, Ursula von der Leyen.
SCHENGEN – The European Commission fully supports Romania’s
Schengen accession, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen,
said in Bucharest. The EU official said she would work tirelessly to find a
solution shortly, as Romania is fully prepared to enter the visa-free travel
area. In turn, president Klaus Iohannis said Romania relies on the Commission’s
support. We recall that last week, on the sidelines of the Justice and Home
Affairs council meeting, Austria opposed the Schengen accession of Romania and
Bulgaria, invoking arguments that many considered to be false and politicized.
The Netherlands also voted against.
BAN – The Republic of Moldova has banned six TV stations that
rebroadcast Russian propaganda about Moldova and the war in Ukraine. The
country needs to be shielded from propaganda and lies, deputy Prime Minister
Andrei Spînu wrote on his
Telegram account. The ban takes effect on Monday and will remain in place
during the state of emergency, declared after Russia invaded Ukraine on
February 24. The six TV stations, some broadcasting in Romanian, others in
Russian, are closely tied to Ilan Shor, a controversial politician and
businessman who fled Moldova in 2019 after Maia Sandu was elected president.
Currently in exile in Israel, Shor has supported the anti-government protests
in Chișinău.
WORLD CUP – Croatia is playing Morocco in the bronze final at the
2022 World Cup in Qatar. The two teams were both drafted in Group F. Morocco
ranked 1st and subsequently ousted Spain and Portugal in the round
of 16 and quarterfinals, respectively. Croatia ranked 2nd and
knocked out Japan and Brazil in the next rounds. In the semis, Morocco lost to
France, while Croatia lost to Argentina. Croatia ranked 2nd at the
2018 World Cup, whereas Morocco is the first African and Arab team to reach a
World Cup semi-final. On Sunday, in the championship final, the defending
champions France will play Argentina. (VP)