Radio România Internațional

Tag: NUCLEAR

  • May 19, 2024 UPDATE

    May 19, 2024 UPDATE

     

    CROATIA Romania’s PM Marcel Ciolacu Sunday congratulated Andrej Plenkovic, who was reconfirmed for a 3rd time as prime minister of Croatia. Marcel Ciolacu voiced his confidence that the Romanian-Croatian relationship will be further strengthened, as will relations within the EU and NATO. Following April’s elections in Croatia, PM Andrej Plenkovic’s party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) won 61 out of the 151 seats in Parliament, significantly above the 42 won by the Social Democratic Party. Andrej Plenkovic has been the prime minister of Croatia since October 2016.

     

    FORUM The 8th annual Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum will take place in Bucharest in the coming days. The event is organised by New Strategy Center, a Romanian think tank, with support from the national defence and foreign ministries and from the NATO Public Diplomacy Division. The conference focuses on the situation in Ukraine, as the scope and intensity of Russian attacks threaten the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state and the security of Europe on the whole. Political leaders, security experts and civil society representatives will try to identify means to help Ukraine withstand the Russian invasion.

     

    OIL Romania’s crude oil output dropped 3.4% in the first quarter of 2024, while imports went down 15.1% compared to the corresponding period in 2023. According to the National Statistics Institute, in Q1 2024 Romania produced over 682,000 tonnes of equivalent oil less than in the corresponding period of 2023, while crude imports exceeded 1.7 mln toe. According to the National Strategy and Forecast Commission, Romania’s crude output will be on a downward trend until 2026, with an average annual drop of 2.2%, as a result of the natural decline in deposits. On the other hand, the Commission predicts an increase in crude imports by an annual 4.1%.

     

    NUCLEAR The Cernavodă nuclear power plant’s Unit 1 has been shut down for regular maintenance works on Sunday, Nuclearelectrica announced. The company promised the works will be safe for the power plant personnel, for citizens and for the environment. The Cernavodă nuclear power plant, the only one in Romania, has 2 operational units with an installed production capacity of 700 MW. The 2 reactors in Cernavoda cover around 20% of Romania’s energy consumption. The plant uses the Canadian technology CANDU 6 (Canadian Deuterium Uranium), using natural uranium as a fuel.

     

    ROWING Romania’s Mihai Chiruţă qualified into the quarter-finals of the men’s skiff event in the last Olympic qualifier regatta held in Lucerne, Switzerland on Sunday. The Romanian rower had the 4th best time in the 5 series. The quarter-finals and the semis are scheduled on Monday, with the final to be held on Tuesday. The final’s top 2 rowers qualify for the 2024 Olympics. Romania, with 11 boats, is already the nation with the most teams qualified for the Paris Olympics.

     

    HANDBALL CS Dinamo Bucharest won Romania’s men’s handball Cup after defeating CSM Constanţa 23-19, on Sunday in the final. Dinamo also won the championship without any matches lost this season. This is the 8th Cup won by Dinamo, as against 2 for CSM Constanţa. (AMP)

  • May 19, 2024

    May 19, 2024

     

    OIL Romania’s crude oil output dropped 3.4% in the first quarter of 2024, while imports went down 15.1% compared to the corresponding period in 2023. According to the National Statistics Institute, in Q1 2024 Romania produced over 682,000 tonnes of equivalent oil less than in the corresponding period of 2023, while crude imports exceeded 1.7 mln toe. According to the National Strategy and Forecast Commission, Romania’s crude output will be on a downward trend until 2026, with an average annual drop of 2.2%, as a result of the natural decline in deposits. On the other hand, the Commission predicts an increase in crude imports by an annual 4.1%.

     

    MUSEUMS Around 250 cultural institutions in Romania were opened last night as part of the White Night of Museums, organized concurrently in several European countries. Taking part in the anniversary 20th edition of the event were museums, historic house museums, art galleries, creative studios, theatres, opera houses and philharmonic orchestras in over 70 towns and cities in Romania and several in neighbouring Moldova. Most participating venues were in the capital city Bucharest, and in Sibiu, a former European Capital of Culture in 2007, several museums and other institutions could also be visited free of charge. Exhibitions, interactive tours, performances, street events and concerts were organized on this occasion. The number of participating institutions was nonetheless smaller than usual, because of personnel protests over salary levels. On Saturday, hundreds of museum staff picketed the Ministry of Culture and the Government building. They say they feel abandoned by the government and demand a fair salary structure. PM Marcel Ciolacu has recently announced the culture ministry submitted proposals concerning museum staff pay raises. The finance ministry will analyse the proposals, the PM promised, and next week salary increases may be granted.

     

    NUCLEAR The Cernavodă nuclear power plant’s Unit 1 has been shut down for regular maintenance works today, Nuclearelectrica announced. The company promised the works will be safe for the power plant personnel, for citizens and for the environment. The Cernavodă nuclear power plant, the only one in Romania, has 2 operational units with an installed production capacity of 700 MW. The 2 reactors in Cernavoda cover around 20% of Romania’s energy consumption. The plant uses the Canadian technology CANDU 6 (Canadian Deuterium Uranium), using natural uranium as a fuel.

     

    REFUGEES The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) estimated on Saturday that 800,000 people have fled the clashes in Rafah since May 6, when the Israeli army launched land operations in this town in the south of Gaza, France Presse and Reuters report. According to the Agency director, Philippe Lazzarini, all these people were forced to leave their town without benefiting from safe passage or protection, and are heading for areas where water resources and hygiene conditions are poor. On the other hand, Austria announced it would resume financing for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, suspended following Israeli claims that Agency staff were involved in the Hamas attack on October 7, AFP writes. As a result of Israel’s accusations, around 15 states suspended their contributions to this UN agency. Many of them, including Germany, Sweden, Canada and Japan, have since resumed donations.

     

    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse (aged 26, no. 148 WTA) failed to qualify for the Trophee Clarins tournament final in Paris. On Saturday she was defeated by Emma Navarro of the US (aged 22, no. 22 WTA), 6-0, 6-2. In the doubles competition, Monica Niculescu/Lin Zhu (Romania / China) were outperformed in the final by Asia Muhammad (USA)/Aldila Sutjiadi (Indonesia), 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 11-9. Other Romanian players taking part in the Paris tournament were Simona Halep (who retired in the second set of the match against McCartney Kessler of the US) and Ana Bogdan (who also retired in the match against the French Varvara Gracheva). (AMP)

  • May 6, 2024

    May 6, 2024

    EASTER Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania are celebrating Easter Monday, the second day of Bright Week. Easter Monday is also known as Bright Monday and it is said to be the day when the gates of Heaven and forgiveness are opened. As for specific traditions, on this day young girls and homes are sprinkled with holy water, and people visit their parents and godparents, bringing Easter cake and eggs.

     

    STATISTICS Romania has the 3rd-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, according to a report released by Eurostat. The only 2 countries in the European bloc with poorer rates in this respect are Bulgaria and Latvia (below 76 years). Spain has the longest life expectancy in the European Union, 84 years, followed closely by Italy and Malta. According to Eurostat data, lower rates are reported in Eastern Europe and in the three Baltic states, whereas in Mediterranean, Scandinavian and Central European countries people live longer. On the other hand, the EU statistics office said, Romania sees the steepest increase in life expectancy, with one year gained between 2019 and 2023.

     

    MILITARY A multinational exercise called Swift Response 24 takes place until May 24 in Romania and other countries. Thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles and other equipment from 7 Allied and partner states are taking part. The exercise is organised by the US Army Europe and Africa, and according to the Romanian defence ministry it will include one of the largest air assault operations conducted in Europe since WWII, with around 2,000 paratroopers from France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the US and the Netherlands taking part. Romania contributes 2,300 troops, several air bases and 3 firing ranges. The drills on Romanian territory are coordinated by the German Armed Forces jointly with the Romanian Land Forces, with support from the Romanian Air Forces.

     

    RUSSIA Russia’s president Vladimir Putin ordered nuclear weapons drills “in the near future,” involving in particular troops deployed close to Ukraine, France Presse and Reuters report. According to the Russian defence ministry, the drills are designed to keep the Army trained, following “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation.” Missile units from the Military District South and naval forces will take part in the drills. Russia currently has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine ordered by Vladimir Putin led to the worst deterioration of Russia’s relations with the West since the Cuban missile crisis, both US and Russian diplomats said. While Moscow claims the war is a response to NATO’s attempts to control Ukraine while expanding its military presence eastwards, the West and Ukraine define Putin’s war as intended to occupy new territory and bring Ukraine under Moscow’s control, Reuters says.

     

    VISIT The war in Ukraine and economic relations between China and the European Union are the main topics on the agenda of today’s talks in Paris, held as part of a 2-day state visit by China’s president Xi Jinping to France. The Chinese official called for a consolidated strategic coordination between China and the EU, as major world powers, at the start of a 3-party meeting with president Emmanuel Macron and with the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen. President Macron pleaded in turn for “fair rules for all” in the trade between China and Europe. “The future of our continent will very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner,” Macron said, and added that “coordination” with Beijing on “major crises” including Ukraine and the Middle East was “absolutely decisive.” In turn, the EC president Ursula von der Leyen said that China and the EU have a shared interest in peace and security, and emphasized the determination to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve just and long-term peace.

     

    GAZA On Monday the Israeli armed forces started to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah, ahead of a planned military move in this town in the south of Gaza, an Israeli radio station, Army Radio, has announced. The Israeli Army said it “encourages” residents in eastern Rafah to move to an extended humanitarian area close by. Seven months since the start of its attack on Hamas, Israel says Rafah is hosting thousands of Islamist Palestinian fighters and that the town is critical for its victory. But with over one million Palestinian civilians relocated to Rafah, the prospect of a military operation with a large number of victims is a concern for the West and for neighbouring Egypt, Reuters reports. (AMP)

  • Energy market in the spotlight

    Energy market in the spotlight

     

    High energy costs affect the budgets of Romanian households, which are forced to pay the highest prices in the European Union. Whereas in Spain and Portugal, for instance, which have invested massively in green energy sources, energy prices may be as low as EUR 1 / MWh, in Romania, where traditional, more costly and polluting energy sources are still used extensively, prices reach EUR 69 / MWh. And this happens in spite of the country having the capacity and resources for a quick transition to renewable energy and for turning 100% green.

     

    Decision-makers in Bucharest are considering all these aspects, and nuclear energy holds an important place in the energy equation. Romania is set to build two additional units at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant and is working on extending the lifespan of one of the existing units.

     

    In fact, the country has an encouraging experience in terms of nuclear power, and the plant in Cernavodă has some of the best capacity factors in the world and a flawless track record in terms of safety. The statement was made by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, who has been in Bucharest these days and has had talks with PM Marcel Ciolacu, the foreign minister Luminița Odobescu and the energy minister Sebastian Burduja.

     

    The talks focused on the close cooperation between Romania and the IAEA in developing a civilian nuclear programme and on the prospects for strengthening this cooperation in the energy sector.

     

    The Agency director highlighted Romania’s international profile and its internationally acknowledged, responsible nuclear policy. He also praised Romania’s significant investments in the development of its nuclear programme, including the implementation of new nuclear technologies such as small scale modular reactors (SMRs).

     

    For the time being, speaking about the existing situation, the energy minister Sebastian Burduja has good news for Romanians: as of next month, prices will go down, especially natural gas prices:

     

    Sebastian Burduja: “For many Romanians, there will be cost decreases, especially in terms of natural gas, which will be evident as of next month. Electricity prices will also drop, especially for those consumers subject to a higher ceiling, the RON 1.3 / KWh, which is the current ceiling in the market.”

     

    But, Mr. Burduja went on to explain, a supplier does not buy the entire amount of electricity it needs at market price; they have longer-term contracts, bilateral agreements and various other financial arrangements, which lead to a different average monthly price. (AMP)

     

  • March 21, 2024

    March 21, 2024

    SUMMITS Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis participates on Thursday and Friday in the Nuclear Energy summit, the European Council proceedings and the extended Euro Summit underway in Brussels. According to a communiqué by the presidential administration in Bucharest, the Nuclear Energy Summit, staged by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Kingdom of Belgium is today offering the heads of state and government the occasion of sharing a vision concerning the key role of the nuclear energy in reaching climate neutrality, energy security and economic development. The European Council is kicking off today with a working visit by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, which also includes an opinion exchange on the geo-political situation and present global challenges, mainly in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine, a country invaded by the Russian troops. Emphasis will be laid on the continuation of the multidimensional support for Kyiv, including military support. President Iohannis will emphasize the fact that the neighboring Romania remains one of Ukraine’s firm supporters and plead for the continuation of the multidimensional support, including humanitarian, military and concerning the transit of the Ukrainian grain as long as it takes.’

     

    ELECTION Bucharest’s mayor Nicusor Dan has withdrawn the main executive prerogatives of the Liberal deputy mayor Stelian Bujduveanu, after physician Catalin Cirstoiu was announced the joint candidate for the Bucharest mayor seat by the PSD – PNL alliance. With support from the United Right Alliance, Nicusor Dan is running for a second term in office. In another development, the Central Technical Committee for coordinating the election for the local administration and the European Parliament on June 9th convened for a first session on Wednesday. The vice-president of the Permanent Election Authority, Marian Muhulet said there are no special challenges this year, in which Romania will be seeing all the four types of election, while the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu has made an appeal for transparency and equidistance in the process of staging fair election.

     

    PLAN Romania has two years to accomplish all the objectives assumed in the National Plan of Recovery and Resilience known as PNRR, a financial support package consisting of loans and grants mainly aimed at eliminating the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The warning was launched in Bucharest by the European Commission officials in charge of PNRR implementation. During the conference aimed at assessing the PNRR implementation in Romania, officials have cautioned against a potential situation that if Romania fails to meet the targets, the country can find itself in the situation of reimbursing the money. The Romanian officials however, have given assurances the Plan has generally achieved headway since last year.

    (bill)

     

  • October 3, 2023

    October 3, 2023


    SUPPORT Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu has today spoken in Kyiv about the importance of carrying on the EU multidimensional support for Ukraine invaded by the Russian troops, including through the creation of a military fund within the European Peace Facility. The Romanian official has accused the ongoing Russian attacks against the civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, close to Romania’s borders and underlined the need for a long-term strategic regional approach to also include the Republic of Moldova. On Monday, Luminita Odobescu attended the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Kyiv.



    WALL The peaceful reunification of Germany took place 33 years ago today, in 1990, almost a year after the fall of the Berlin wall. The day of the German Unity was celebrated on Tuesday night during a reception where president Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu highlighted among other things Germany’s consistent support for Romania’s accession to Schengen. Germany is Romania’s most important trade partner and the second biggest investor in the Romanian economy. Bilateral trade exchanges last year exceeded 40 billion euros and over 25 thousand companies with German capital have been registered in Romania.



    SPORT Romania’s artistic gymnastics team has qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, after coming in the 8th position during the qualifiers of the 52nd edition of the World Championship in Antwerp, Belgium. This performance has put the Romanian women team back into the game after a break of 12 years, the last time they competed in an Olympic Games edition was in London, in 2012. 12 teams can qualify for the Paris Olympics and the United States, Britain and Canada have already booked plane tickets.



    DRILL The nuclear power plant in Cernavoda, south-eastern Romania, is today hosting a nuclear emergency exercise called Wallachia 2023. The exercise, which simulates a severe nuclear accident, has been staged by the National Committee for the Control of the Nuclear Activities and is benefitting from support from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency and the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The exercise will test the response capabilities of all the institutions involved as well as the assistance received from international partners. Wallachia 2023 is aimed at improving nuclear security and safety in Romania, increasing resilience to disasters and preparing an appropriate response to nuclear accidents and has been funded through the Norwegian financial mechanism.


    (bill)

  • May 12, 2023 UPDATE

    May 12, 2023 UPDATE

    GOVERNMENT The Government of Romania passed an emergency
    order on rebalancing the state budget, in a special meeting on Friday, the
    finance minister Adrian Câciu announced. He outlined the key measures in the plan, including a 10% reduction on
    expenditure with products and services, except for expenses in public
    healthcare and education, and a ban on procuring, leasing and rentals of automobiles
    and office equipment in public institutions. One exception is the car scrapping
    programme for the public authorities purchasing non-polluting vehicles. The
    programme is designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport
    sector, by encouraging the use of eco-friendly vehicles. The
    finance minister also announced that the number of advisers to officials in
    central administration structures, currently standing at around 900, will be
    reduced by one-half following the implementation of the emergency order aimed
    at making public spending more efficient.


    INFLATION In Romania,
    the year-on-year inflation rate dropped significantly in April, to 11.23% compared
    to nearly 15% in March. While this does not mean that products and services are
    growing cheaper, the rise in prices has nonetheless slowed down. According to
    data released by the National Statistics Institute on Friday, there are
    products that were more affordable in April than in March, including sunflower
    oil. Also on Friday, the National Bank confirmed that this downward trend in
    consumer price increase will continue. But the central bank governor Mugur
    Isărescu also warned those who have or are planning to take out loans in
    foreign currencies, and said that interest rates for the euro and US dollar
    will increase further. The National Bank forecasts a 7.1% inflation rate for
    the end of this year, as against 7% announced previously, and a 4.2% rate for
    the end of next year. Mugur Isărescu added that prices for fruit and vegetables
    will likely continue to go up for another 2 months, as the yield will be
    affected by the weather conditions in Europe, the drought in Spain and the
    aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey.


    ENERGY The Polytechnic University in Bucharest officially launched
    the first NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Centre outside the United States on
    Friday. The centre hosts a simulator of the NuScale Power’s VOYGR™ small
    modular reactor (SMR) power plant control room, and will educate and train the
    next generation of nuclear engineers to operate advanced civil nuclear reactor
    technologies while establishing Romania as a regional educational and training
    hub for the next stage of civil nuclear deployments across Romania and Europe,
    reads a news release issued by the US Embassy in Bucharest.


    MUSEUMS
    The National Network of Romanian Museums has announced an absolute record
    number of cultural events enlisted as part of the Night of Museums – 297 in
    Romania and 14 in the Republic of Moldova. Bucharest will host around 60 events
    proposed by museums, art galleries, cultural centres, opera houses, choirs,
    palaces, institutes, high schools and music festivals. The special guest of the
    current edition is the War Childhood Museum, for the first time in Romania. The
    exhibition, entitled Listen, is hosted by the Romanian Peasant Museum. Access
    is free of charge.


    AWARD – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will receive the Franz
    Werfel Human Rights Award granted by the German Centre against Expulsions, DPA
    reports. Aged 63, Iohannis will become the 11th winner of this award, granted
    to him for his tireless and multilateral commitment to defending human rights
    and minority rights in Romania and Europe. The award, granted every two years,
    comes along with a money prize of 10,000 euros. Among the previous laureates
    are former German president Joachim Gauck, the winner of Nobel prize in
    Literature, Herta Muller and historian Karl Schlögel. The prize will be awarded
    during a ceremony held on June 4 in Frankfurt, Germany, when a congratulatory
    speech will delivered by former European Commission President Jean Claude
    Juncker.


    YOUTH Over 1,400 Romanian 18-year olds are among the 35,000 beneficiaries
    of free EU travel passes granted this year under the Discover EU programme. In
    order to find out more about the culture and history of the EU and to come in
    touch with people across the continent, the beneficiaries will be able to
    travel by train, individually or in groups of up to 5 people, between June 2023
    and September 2024. The current round of the programme saw more than 145,000 applicants
    from EU member states and Erasmus Plus countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein,
    Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey). (AMP)

  • October 5, 2022

    October 5, 2022

    FIREWOOD The prices of firewood and
    wood derivatives used for heating will be capped in Romania until the end of
    March 2023. A draft emergency order in this respect is being discussed by the
    Cabinet today. Beneficiaries will include individuals, public and private
    education institutions, social service providers, local authorities and places
    of worship. The measure is intended to help Romanians cope this winter with the
    skyrocketing fuel, energy and natural gas prices. Also today the government is
    scheduled to endorse the 2030 National Forest Strategy.


    ENERGY A Pact for Clean Energy
    Resilience was launched in Romania on Tuesday. The initiative came from Smart
    Energy Association and is an invitation to the authorities and private sector
    to implement programmes and awareness raising campaigns regarding the need to
    cut energy consumption and to use clean energy sources. The president of the
    Association, Dumitru Chisăliţă, says cutting consumption should be achieved not
    through restrictive measures, but rather by improving efficiency. The
    Association also released a guideline for authorities, comprising energy saving
    solutions.


    SCHENGEN The European Parliament discusses in Strasbourg today
    Romania’s and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession. MEPs are expected to call for
    the Schengen passport-free travel area to be completed swiftly by extending it
    to all EU member states who wish to participate, with a resolution in this
    respect to be voted on in the next plenary session. Another topic on the
    European Parliament’s agenda concerns the mobilisation of Russian reserve
    troops, the illegal referendums in Ukrainian occupied regions and the nuclear
    threats voiced by the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. MEPs
    will request firm responses from member states to Russia’s preparations to
    annex Ukrainian territories and to step up military actions.


    CEREMONY The Royal House of Romania last night hosted a ceremony
    devoted to the Romanian-British partnership and the rule of Charles III. In her
    address, the Custodian of the Crown of Romania, Margareta, sent a message of
    hope and confidence to Britain’s new sovereign, King Charles III. In turn, the
    British Ambassador to Bucharest, Andrew Noble, pointed out that the British
    nationals who live in and love Romania are blessed to have a monarch who knows
    Romania so well.


    UKRAINE The president of Ukraine
    Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced fast and powerful progress for his army in the
    south of the country, where scores of localities have been reclaimed this week
    from the Russian troops. According to AFP, in his daily address
    posted on social networks, Zelenskyy promised that the Ukrainian troops would
    not stop and that it was only a matter of time until the Russians would be
    driven out of the entire Ukrainian territory. On the other hand, the Ukrainian
    president welcomed India’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity
    of Ukraine, voiced during a telephone call with PM Narendra Modi. Previously, Kyiv
    had criticised New Delhi over its neutrality. Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU
    countries Wednesday reached a political agreement on the implementation of an
    8th package of sanctions against Russia, this one in response to the illegal
    annexation of 4 Ukrainian regions.


    IAEA The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
    Rafael Grossi, will travel to Kyiv and then to Moscow this week to discuss a
    protection zone around the Ukrainian nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhya. Rafael
    Grossi will carry on consultations to have the mechanism in place as soon as
    possible, the Agency said in a news release. The nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya,
    the largest in Europe, is occupied by Russian forces, but is still operated by
    Ukrainian personnel. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the
    plant area. (AMP)

  • September 11, 2022 UPDATE

    September 11, 2022 UPDATE


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



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



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



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



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



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


  • September 11, 2022

    September 11, 2022

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


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


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


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



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

  • August 25, 2022 UPDATE

    August 25, 2022 UPDATE

    WAR Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia,
    presently under the control of the Russian troops, has been completely disconnected
    from the main grid, the Ukrainian operator Energoatom announced on Thursday,
    AFP and Reuters report. The plant’s last two reactors have been shut down after
    fires in the areas affected the electric lines. The aggressors’ actions have
    prompted the authorities to shut down the plant for the first time in its
    history Energoatom says adding that the plant’s security systems are
    functioning normally. For the past three weeks, Kiev and Moscow have been
    accusing each other of having bombed the plant amid fears of a new Chernobyl.
    The plant in Zaporizhzhia is under the control of the Russian troops but it is
    being operated by Ukrainian personnel.










    SCHEME The Romanian government has
    approved a minimal state aid scheme, under which grants are provided to promote
    the circular economy, an economic system, in which the value of the products,
    materials and other economic resources is maintained as long as possible,
    increasing their effectiveness and thus reducing the negative impact on the
    environment. Ranging between 15 thousand and 200 thousand Euros, the grants are
    aimed at boosting investment in the field. The scheme’s maximum budget stays
    around 8 million Euros, out of which 2 million for 2022 and the rest for the
    period between 2023 and 2025.










    TRADE Romanian live animal exports
    decreased by almost 17% in the first five months of 2022, as compared to the
    same period of last year, and totaled almost 183 million Euros – according to
    the National Institute of Statistics. Live animal imports also decreased by
    18%, reaching over 66 million Euros. Thus, a trade surplus of 116 million Euros
    was recorded. In another development, in the first five months of the year,
    Romania exported meat and meat products worth 223 million Euros and imported
    meat products worth 532 million Euros. The resulting deficit is almost 350
    million Euros, data provided by the National Institute of Statistics also show.








    VOLLEYBALL Romania’s women’s national
    volleyball team, coached by the Spanish Guillermo Naranjo Hernandez, defeated
    the Faroe Islands 3-0 on Wednesday evening in Torshavn in a Group A match of
    the 2023 European Championship qualifiers. Also on Wednesday, Croatia defeated
    Israel 3-1, away from home. On August 28, the derby of the group will take
    place between Croatia and Romania. Romania and Croatia have two wins each in
    the group standings, while Israel and the Faroe Islands have 0 points. The
    teams ranked on the first two places qualify for next year’s final tournament.












    FESTIVAL More than 600 representatives
    of the 20 national minorities in Romania are expected, as of Thursday until
    August 28, at the 18th edition of the ProEtnica Intercultural
    Festival in Sighişoara (center). After the festive opening, followed a debate
    on Promoting peace through non-discrimination and solidarity in a crisis
    context. At the same time, the festival schedule also includes 60
    traditional dance and music performances by ensembles of national minorities,
    art and photography exhibitions, a ‘Literary Salon’ where writers of national
    minorities present their creations, lectures, round tables and workshops.
    According to the organizers, this year, in a complicated moment for the peace
    of Europe, the ProEtnica Festival brings the peaceful message of intercultural
    dialogue in Romania, as a model of pacifist dialogue between countries and
    peoples.






    (bill)

  • US funding for small nuclear reactors

    US funding for small nuclear reactors

    While in Germany at the G7 summit in Munich, the US president Joe Biden announced funding in the amount of USD 14 million for Romania. The money is designed to finance the preliminary stages, i.e. the front-end engineering and design study, for the small modular reactors developed in a partnership with the US. Romania will be the first country in Europe to use this American technology.



    As the US president put it, in Romania, the US firm NuScale Power will be the one managing this first-of-its-kind small modular reactor (SMR). This will help us reach zero emissions faster, more cheaply and more efficiently. The US government has contributed in advance to the development of this innovative technology, to strengthen European energy security and create thousands of jobs in Romania and the US.



    The US has already supported the development of SMRs in Romania, contributing to a detailed study conducted over 18 months. Following the study, a decommissioned thermal power plant in Doiceşti, Dâmboviţa County, in southern Romania, was identified as the location of the first of the 6 planned reactors.



    Romania intends to become a regional SMR production and operation hub, and aims to build the first unit by 2030, the Romanian authorities announced last autumn, after announcing the signing of the agreement at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.



    Decarbonisation requires nuclear power, which is why these investments are critical, the energy minister Virgil Popescu pointed out. He says now that the NuScale technology was certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2020, following a comprehensive testing process that took over 10 years to complete.



    In Romania as well, Virgil Popescu added, all the relevant certification and regulation procedures will be complied with.



    “We have over 25 years of experience in operating, at the highest safety standards, the 2 reactors in Cernavodă, which rank 1st and 3rd in the world in terms of productivity. We have an experienced regulatory commission, working closely with the regulatory commission in the US, with the Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and with the highest-level nuclear energy organisations in the world. We have an opportunity to put this experience to use and to get involved in a solid project, which will give Romania clean and affordable energy, development for local communities, jobs, the training of a new generation of engineers, and will place Romania at the forefront of training future operators in the region and of the production and assembling of components,” Virgil Popescu posted on a social network.



    In Bucharest, both the president and the PM of Romania welcomed Joe Bidens statements. Ensuring energy security is a shared goal of the Romanian-US strategic partnership, president Klaus Iohannis said. In turn, PM Nicolae Ciucă pointed out that using this new technology will contribute to strengthening Romanias energy profile, in line with the EU efforts to protect the environment and with the decarbonisation targets undertaken at EU level. (AMP)

  • April 17, 2022 UPDATE

    April 17, 2022 UPDATE

    EASTER Catholic and
    Protestant Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. At the Vatican,
    Pope Francis once again called for peace, describing Easter as the gift of hope
    during the Mass held in a basilica with thousands of believers. On Sunday, the
    service took place in San Pietro Square after 2 years of Covid-related
    restrictions. For Orthodox and Greek-Catholic believers, who celebrate Easter
    next weekend, it was Palm Sunday, commemorating the moment when Jesus Christ
    entered Jerusalem. In Romania, a mostly Orthodox country, nearly one and a half
    million people celebrated their name day on Sunday. President Klaus Iohannis
    wished happy and peaceful holidays to all those who celebrate Easter or Palm
    Sunday.


    UKRAINE As of midnight
    Russian vessels are no longer allowed to enter EU ports, Romanian ports
    included. The ban also covers ships that replaced the Russian flag with the
    colours of another state after February 24 when the war in Ukraine started, but
    not those which need assistance or shelter for safety reasons or those which
    have saved lives at the sea. In an interview to Sunday’s issue of the German
    magazine Bild am Sonntag, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der
    Leyen said the next stage of EU sanctions will target Russia’s oil and banking
    sectors, particularly the country’s largest bank, Sberbank. She added that
    Brussels was working on smart mechanisms to include Russian oil in the new list
    of sanctions, so as to reduce the financing for Vladimir Putin’s invasion army.
    EU member states are currently paying for Russian gas and oil via Sberbank and
    Gazprombank, which have so far been exempt from Europe’s sanctions, Reuters
    explains. The EU announced on Sunday that EUR 50 million would be earmarked for
    humanitarian aid to be sent to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Some EUR 45
    million will go into humanitarian programmes in Ukraine, while the Republic of
    Moldova, where hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have taken refuge since the
    start of the war, is set to receive EUR 5 million.


    REFUGEES The number of Ukrainian nationals who reached
    Romania on Saturday was 12.4% higher than on the previous days, the Romanian
    border police announced. Since the start of the crisis, over 730,000 Ukrainian
    citizens have entered the country, most of them leaving Romania for other
    destinations.


    POLL The Church ranks first in a public confidence
    poll in Romania. The survey conducted by CURS at the end of March indicates
    that 67% of the respondents trust the Church, up 4% since January. The Army, on
    the other hand, has lost 8% in the same survey. The most significant increase
    in public confidence was reported for the National Bank of Romania, with 42% of
    the respondents saying they trust the central bank, as opposed to half this
    figure in January. The poll was commissioned by the National Liberal Party and
    has a +/- 1.9% margin of error.


    DIPLOMACY The Romanian Foreign Ministry celebrates 25 years
    since the Joint Statement on the Romania-Italy Strategic Partnership was
    signed. The genuine friendship between the 2 countries is facilitated by the
    presence of over 1 million Romanians in Italy, making up the largest foreign
    community in that country and also the largest Romanian community abroad, reads
    a news release issued by the institution.


    NORTH KOREA North Korea announced
    the successful test firing of a new type of tactical guided weapon aimed at boosting
    the country’s nuclear capabilities, which may indicate that Pyongyang is ready
    to resume nuclear testing. North Korea suspended nuclear testing in 2017, and
    the following year it blew up the tunnels in its underground nuclear test site,
    but recent satellite imagery indicates digging and construction activities have
    been resumed.



    INVICTUS A
    group of 20 Romanian military wounded in battle fields are taking part in the
    one-week long Invictus Games, hosted his year by The Hague in the Netherlands.
    They will compete in 7 sports, 6 of them individual competitions (hand archery,
    athletics, rowing, powerlifting, cycling
    and swimming) and a team sport (sitting volleyball). The
    Invictus Games promote respect and empathy for the sacrifice and traumas of
    wounded military, whose involvement in these activities is an opportunity for
    social reintegration and for regaining self-confidence, the Romanian Defence
    Ministry says. For Romanian troops, this year’s Invictus participation is the
    third, after the ones in Toronto, in 2017, and Sydney, one year later. (AMP)

  • April 17, 2022

    April 17, 2022

    EASTER Catholic and
    Protestant Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. At the
    Vatican, Pope Francis once again called for peace, describing Easter as the
    gift of hope during the Mass held in a basilica with thousands of believers.
    Today, the service takes place in San Pietro Square after 2 years of
    Covid-related restrictions. For Orthodox and Greek-Catholic believers, who
    celebrate Easter next weekend, today is Palm Sunday, commemorating the moment
    when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem. In Romania, a mostly Orthodox country,
    nearly one and a half million people are celebrating their name day. President
    Klaus Iohannis wished happy and peaceful holidays to all those who celebrate
    Easter or Palm Sunday today.


    UKRAINE As of midnight
    Russian vessels are no longer allowed to enter EU ports, Romanian ports
    included. The ban also covers ships that replaced the Russian flag with the
    colours of another state after February 24 when the war in Ukraine started, but
    not those which need assistance or shelter for safety reasons or those which
    have saved lives at the sea. In an interview to Sunday’s issue of the German
    magazine Bild am Sonntag, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der
    Leyen said the next stage of EU sanctions will target Russia’s oil and banking
    sectors, particularly the country’s largest bank, Sberbank. She added that
    Brussels was working on smart mechanisms to include Russian oil in the new list
    of sanctions, so as to reduce the financing for Vladimir Putin’s invasion army.
    EU member states are currently paying for Russian gas and oil via Sberbank and
    Gazprombank, which have so far been exempt from Europe’s sanctions, Reuters
    explains. Meanwhile, Russia carries on attacks on several cities in Ukraine,
    including the capital Kyiv, in response to the sinking of its Black Sea
    flagship, the Moskva. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in
    Ukraine, Russian forces shelled several cities in the south of Ukraine, whereas
    in Herson Ukrainian troops continue to attack the occupying Russian forces.


    REFUGEES The number of Ukrainian nationals who reached
    Romania on Saturday was 12.4% higher than on the previous days, the Romanian
    border police announced. Since the start of the crisis, over 730,000 Ukrainian
    citizens have entered the country, most of them leaving Romania for other
    destinations.


    INVICTUS A group of 20 Romanian military wounded in battle
    fields are taking part in the one-week long Invictus Games, hosted his year by
    The Hague in the Netherlands. They will compete in 7 sports, 6 of them
    individual competitions (hand archery, athletics,
    rowing, powerlifting, cycling and swimming) and a team sport (sitting volleyball). The Invictus Games promote respect
    and empathy for the sacrifice and traumas of wounded military, whose
    involvement in these activities is an opportunity for social reintegration and
    for regaining self-confidence, the Romanian Defence Ministry says. For Romanian
    troops, this year’s Invictus participation is the third, after the ones in Toronto,
    in 2017, and Sydney, one year later.


    DIPLOMACY The Romanian Foreign Ministry celebrates 25 years
    since the Joint Statement on the Romania-Italy Strategic Partnership was
    signed. The genuine friendship between the 2 countries is facilitated by the
    presence of over 1 million Romanians in Italy, making up the largest foreign
    community in that country and also the largest Romanian community abroad, reads
    a news release issued by the institution.


    NORTH KOREA North Korea announced
    the successful test firing of a new type of tactical guided weapon aimed at
    boosting the country’s nuclear capabilities, which may indicate that Pyongyang
    is ready to resume nuclear testing. North Korea suspended nuclear testing in 2017,
    and the following year it blew up the tunnels in its underground nuclear test
    site, but recent satellite imagery indicates digging and construction
    activities have been resumed.(AMP)

  • Europe and energy prices

    Europe and energy prices

    The energy crunch will be once again on the agenda of the December European
    Council meeting, senior EU officials announced after last week’s meeting
    devoted to this topic.


    In the meantime, the Commission is
    tasked with running an analysis on the operation of the European electricity
    and natural gas market and on the carbon trading market, after several member
    states blamed the rise in energy prices on problems in these fields.


    Nuclear energy is not mentioned in
    the Council meeting’s conclusions although it had been included in the original
    text. However, countries like France, Romania and others requested the European
    Commission to rank nuclear energy and gas as transition sources this autumn,
    until clean energy sources will be able to cover most of the Union’s energy
    needs.


    There is no doubt that if we
    seek cleaner energy, we need interim solutions. It is very possible and
    desirable for renewable sources, including solar energy, wind power and so on,
    to account for most of the energy output by 2040-2050. But until we get there,
    our opinion in Romania is that we need to use nuclear power plants, to upgrade them
    and broaden nuclear power sources. At the same time, Romania needs and is
    determined to use natural gas for heating, for electricity production and for
    industry. So we certainly must have nuclear power and gas, the president of
    Romania Klaus Iohannis said in Brussels, and emphasised that it would be
    excellent for these forms of energy to be fundable from EU sources.


    The European Commission president,
    Ursula von der Leyen, seems to have eventually accepted this view, and said
    after the meeting that, in the medium and long term, additional steps will be
    prepared to enhance Europe’s energy independence and resilience.


    She said a stable source, i.e.
    nuclear power, is necessary, and the role of natural gas as transitional fuel
    will be preserved. The Commission will present a draft document in this
    respect, von der Leyen said.


    She added that efforts are made to
    set up a strategic gas reserve and to jointly procure energy. We will step up
    initiatives to contact as diverse suppliers as possible. We will diversify
    sources and speed up interconnection, the Commission president also said.


    EU reference prices for natural gas soared
    by over 300% since January, because of supply problems and high demand. The hike
    pushed electricity prices in Europe to the highest level in recent times, and
    the situation is likely to continue until the end of the year, keeping heating bills
    on the rise. To mitigate the impact on citizens, Romania and other member
    states are taking measures to support vulnerable households and struggling companies.
    (tr. A.M. Popescu)