Radio România Internațional

Tag: security

  • April 20, 2019

    April 20, 2019

    EASTER Catholic and Protestant Christians are preparing today for the Easter holiday, while Orthodox and Greek-Catholics are getting ready for Palm Sunday. Tonight Roman-Catholic churches are holding the Easter Vigil, the religious service that celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. Also today, on the eve of Palm Sunday, Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers in many parts of Romania organise religious processions to commemorate Christs arrival in Jerusalem prior to the Crucifixion.




    HOLIDAYS In Romania, over 10,000 police and 8,000 gendarmes will be deployed on the Orthodox Palm Sunday and Catholic Easter Sunday, to ensure the safety of the citizens taking part in the events related to these holidays. Traffic police and over 300 radar units will also be on duty, to prevent accidents and to ensure smooth road traffic. Meanwhile, many Romanians working abroad are beginning their Easter visits home, and checkpoints are getting increasingly crowded. Over 4,000 border police will work every day to ensure efficient border controls during this period. The Romanian Border Police has also called on the authorities of Bulgaria, Hungary and the Republic of Moldova to increase the number of staff available in checkpoints, if necessary.




    RESHUFFLING President Klaus Iohannis will announce early next week his decision on the new nominations in the Dancila Cabinet. The Social Democratic Party, the main party in the ruling coalition, has nominated the deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Eugen Nicolicea to replace Tudorel Toader as justice minister. The Social Democrats withdrew their political support for Toader after he refused to pass new controversial changes in the criminal codes, and consequently Tudorel Toader stepped down. The Prime Minister also forwarded to the Presidency the resignations of Rovana Plumb as Minister for European Funds and of Natalia Intotero as Minister for Romanians Abroad. The 2 are running for the European Parliament in the upcoming elections. Nominated to replace them are Deputy Oana Florea, for the Ministry for European Funds, and Senator Liviu Brăiloiu for the ministry in charge of the diaspora. The President has hinted that he disapproves of these proposals. In his opinion, this government reshuffling strengthens what he called “the Social Democrats siege of the judiciary.




    DIPLOMACY Regional and international security and the contribution to the fulfilment of NATOs goals were the main topics approached by the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleşcanu in a meeting with his counterparts from Poland and Turkey in Ankara. The ministers reconfirmed the need for constant efforts in order to efficiently respond to all challenges, wherever they may come from, and to implement the measures regarding the Black Sea region. The participants also agreed to hold meetings with the main representatives of the 3 countries military industries. Teodor Meleşcanu also mentioned the support provided by Romania to its eastern partners—Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine—and to the Western Balkans states. He also said that Romania aims to support these countries in advancing their relations with NATO and the EU.




    CULTURE As part of the 2019 Romania-France Cultural Season, the French Film Festival kicks off today in 10 cities in Romania. Launched in November 2018, in France, the cultural dialogue between the 2 countries continues in Romania with scores of theatre shows, dance performances, concerts, film screenings, literature-related events, exhibitions and debates held in over 30 towns and cities. The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, pointed out that this was an important landmark in the arts and cultural life in Romania and France. The event strengthens the economic, scientific, cultural and social ties between the 2 states. The official closing of the 2019 Romania-France Cultural Season, which overlaps the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be on July 14, Frances National Day.




    TENNIS Romanias Simona Halep (2 WTA) is playing today in Rouen against Kristina Mladenovic (66 WTA) in the first round of the Fed Cup semi-finals between Romania and France. In the second match of the day, Mihaela Buzărnescu (30 WTA) will take on Caroline Garcia (21 WTA). Three other matches are scheduled on Sunday: Caroline Garcia vs. Simona Halep, Kristina Mladenovic vs. Mihaela Buzărnescu and Caroline Garcia / Kristina Mladenovic vs. Irina Begu / Monica Niculescu. For the second time in history, 46 years apart, Romania is playing a Fed Cup semi-final. Frances performance in this competition is much better: the French tennis players were twice champions, in 1997 and 2003, finalists in 2004, 2005 and 2016, and semi-finalists several times, including last year. Should Romania get past France this weekend, it will play the final in November against the winner of the match pitting Australia against Belarus.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • The Week in Review, 13-19 April 2019

    The Week in Review, 13-19 April 2019

    The May 26 referendum


    The Romanian Parliament, convened in joint session on Wednesday, approved President Klaus Iohanniss request to hold a referendum on May 26, at the same time with the European Parliament elections. The point of the referendum is to ban amnesty and pardon for corruption offences and to prevent the government from passing emergency decrees related to criminal offences, convictions and judicial organisation. The head of state also wants to know the voters opinion as regards allowing public authorities, other than the Ombudsman, to notify the Constitutional Court directly, about emergency decrees. The Presidents move comes against the background of numerous legislative changes in the field of the judiciary, contested at home and criticised by Romanias European partners.




    Reshuffling of Dancilas cabinet


    Prime Minister Viorica Dancila sent president Klaus Iohannis proposals for the appointment of new ministers for the Ministry of European Funds, the Ministry for the Romanians Abroad and the Justice Ministry. The previous holders of these positions have resigned – Rovana Plumb and Natalia Intorero in order to run for the European elections, and Tudorel Toader after the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the main party in the ruling coalition, withdrew its political support and the PM asked for his resignation. Toader was left without the Social Democrats support for having delayed the adoption of some controversial emergency decrees modifying criminal codes. President Klaus Iohannis will announce early next week his decision about the appointment of the new ministers, but he has pointed out that, in his opinion, the new government reshuffle is aimed at strengthening what he calls “the PSD siege on justice. Romania must urgently get back on the track of reforms and continue the battle against corruption, European Commissioner for Justice, Vera Jurova, said at a European Parliament debate on the rule of law in Romania.




    Report on the first 100 days of Romanias presidency of the Council of the EU


    During the first three months of Romanias presidency of the Council of the EU, 90 difficult legislative dossiers have been closed, with Bucharest having coordinated over 1,100 events and meetings in the last three months, the Romanian PM Viorica Dancila said. Speaking about some of the dossiers finalised recently, Dancila welcomed the Councils formal adoption, as a final stage of the legislative procedure, of rules for the natural gas market, copyright and contracts for the sale of goods and the provision of online digital content. Bucharest has also been actively involved in the Brexit negotiations, Dancila went on to say. She also spoke about the importance of the elections for the European Parliament, held in Romania on the 26th of May, and pointed out that Romania has worked towards creating an environment in which free and fair elections can be held. Clearer rules were established for the protection of personal data, including penalties for the use thereof to manipulate the running and the outcome of the elections.




    Conference on security challenges on the eastern flank of NATO


    A conference on security challenges on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance, organised in Bucharest, has once again highlighted the need to strengthen NATOs capacity in the Baltic and Black Sea areas. Romanias President Klaus Iohannis has pleaded for a unitary, consolidated and coherent allied presence along the entire eastern flank. The president has stated that the Black Sea area is still marked by frozen conflicts and dormant tensions, and that is reason enough for such a presence, which is needed to ensure an effective defence and deterrence posture. At the conference, the US and Germany hailed the way in which Bucharest fulfils its commitments within NATO.




    The Romania-France Cultural Season


    The 2019 Romania-France Cultural Season has opened this week in Bucharest. Meetings, exhibitions, festivals and concerts will be held as part of this event in the capital Bucharest and many other cities across Romania. The French Ambassador in Bucharest, Michele Ramis, has mentioned that this is the first time her country organises the Season jointly with another EU country, which clearly reflects the nature of the Romanian-French relationship. In turn, the Romanian Culture Minister, Daniel Breaz, has evoked aspects related to the cultural connection between the two countries, and pointed out that for generations France has been a model, mirror and trustworthy friend of Romanians. The first part of the Cultural Season was held in 100 cities in France over the course of 5 months, and enjoyed great success, with the French people rediscovering Romania and its artists. The event is meant to consolidate economic, scientific, cultural and social ties between the two countries.



    (translated by: Elena Enache)

  • Euro-Atlantic Security and the Bucharest 9 Group

    Euro-Atlantic Security and the Bucharest 9 Group

    Ever since its establishment, seven decades ago, when the Cold War started, NATO’s mission has been, according to its first secretary general, “to keep Russians out, and the Americans in (…)”. Along with the fall of the communist dictatorships in the east of Europe, the values of the free world have extended beyond the former Iron Curtain, and the former satellites of the Soviet Union, once set free, have chosen the North-Atlantic Alliance.



    From a geopolitical point of view, its eastern flank remains the most vulnerable, so the countries in the area are compelled to coordinate their security strategies. On Thursday, in Kosice, Slovakia, the presidents of Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia, adopted, at the end of the meeting of the Bucharest 9 Format, a declaration that highlights the importance of NATO’s enhanced forward presence, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Launched at the initiative of the presidents of Romania and Poland, the B9 Format held its first summit in November 2015, in Bucharest, and the second one in Warsaw, in June 2018.



    In Kosice, in the presence of the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the nine presidents reiterated their concern for the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the recent tension in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The latest military actions show that Russia keeps threatening the stability of this region, said bluntly Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis. He stressed the fact that developments in the region had shown that the allied states must do more in order to secure a more robust ground, air and maritime defense.



    President Iohannis said that the NATO allies and partners in the east, such as Ukraine or Georgia, needed more support to consolidate their defense capabilities against any type of threat, be it military, cybernetic or mere propaganda. Moreover, the Romanian head of state added, a tight cooperation between the EU and NATO is needed. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, the president of Poland, Andrzej Duda, also pleaded for an enhanced alliance presence on the eastern flank. He termed Russia’s actions as a clear relapse of its imperial ambitions, to which NATO must respond appropriately.



    On the ground, these very days US military deployed in Europe are traveling from Poland to the ‘Mihail Kogalniceanu’ air-base in south-eastern Romania, as part of the US’s commitment to ensure the security of NATO’s eastern flank, under the Operation Atlantic Resolve. The 500-strong US military contingent is accompanied by tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, supported by helicopters. Alongside their Romanian comrades, they are participating in multinational exercises. The US troops will be stationed in Romania for nine months, to be then replaced by other units, in order to ensure a constant, rotating presence in Europe.


  • The EU and cyber-security

    The EU and cyber-security

    The minister delegate for European Affairs, George Ciamba, on Tuesday chaired the General Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels under the auspices of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.



    According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, a focal point on the agenda of talks was the post-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework. The Romanian official gave details on the stage of talks on this file as well as on the process and the provisional work programme until April 2019. George Ciamba recalled that the main objective of the Romanian presidency is to continue talks at a fast pace, in order to make available a streamlined and balanced document for negotiations in the European Councils June meeting.



    Also, cracking down on misinformation is a very important topic for the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the conclusions adopted in Brussels on Tuesday do not come too late for the EP elections due in May.



    The ministers for European affairs who attended Tuesdays meeting in Brussels also discussed the agenda of the Spring Council and underlined the importance of talks on the internal market, the Digital Single Market, the EU industrial policy, laying emphasis on the role of these talks in preparing the future Strategic Agenda. At the summit held on March 21 and 22, the European leaders will focus mainly on issues related to employment, growth and competitiveness, climate change, preparations for the EU-China Summit due on April 9, cracking down on misinformation, protecting the integrity of European and national elections.



    During Tuesdays meeting, the European officials also talked about the progress of procedures started under Article 7 of the EU Treaty, triggered by the EC against Poland for having failed to observe the rule of law and against Hungary for failure to observe community values. The conclusions of the EU Council on free and correct elections were also formally adopted, thus sending a political signal of special relevance at European level, ahead of the election campaign for the European Parliament, which will be held in the EU Member States between May 23 and 26. The Council has also adopted conclusions on the relations between the EU and Switzerland. They are adopted by the Council every two years and are meant to assess the stage of relations between the two partners and represent a political declaration on boosting cooperation in the future.



    (translated by: Diana Vijeu)

  • NATO and the security of Europe

    NATO and the security of Europe

    The withdrawal of Russia and the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and the situation in Ukraine were the main topics on the agenda of the recent meeting of NATO defence ministers. As regards the security situation in Ukraine and in the region, the NATO ministers reaffirmed their support for the country’s territorial integrity, and Kiev was encouraged to carry on reforms. The Allies have also analysed and assessed the consequences of Russia’s breaking the INF.



    The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the missile system developed by Russia is a significant risk for the Alliance, and has once again called on Russia to comply with the treaty. All 29 Allies agree that the Russian missiles are mobile, hard to detect and may reach European cities with little warning. In early February, the US announced it would leave the INF, criticising Russia for the development of its new cruise missile, and was quickly followed by Russia, which is unhappy with the American missile defence shield in Europe.



    NATO insists on preserving the INF Treaty, seen as the cornerstone of European security for the past few decades. The document bans ground-launched nuclear missiles with ranges from 500 km to 5,500 km, and it has been the bedrock of Europe’s security architecture since its signature in 1987. As the NATO chief put it, “It’s clear that a treaty that is only respected by one side cannot keep us safe. That is why the United States, with the full support of all NATO Allies, has announced its intention to withdraw from the INF Treaty. This will take six months. So Russia still has a chance to come back into compliance. And we call on Russia to take this opportunity. Russia knows what to do.”



    In turn, Moscow claims it is open to dialogue, but will not destroy its new nuclear-capable missile, news agencies say. The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced plans to meet with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the end of the week in Germany, on the sidelines of the Munich security conference, to discuss the future of the treaty.



    Meanwhile, the Alliance is planning for a future without the INF Treaty and with more Russian missiles, Jens Stoltenberg says. Moscow, he adds, continues to develop missiles and has equipped several battalions already. Nonetheless, NATO has no intention to deploy new ground-launch nuclear missiles in Europe, but it must make sure that it has efficient defence and deterrence capabilities. In order to respond quickly and decisively to any future crisis, NATO is working on a plan in which allies will make available 30 combat ships, 30 land battalions and 30 air squadrons, deployable within 30 days.

  • December 30, 2018

    December 30, 2018

    EU The official web page of the Romanian presidency of the EU Council has been launched. Romania is to take over the helm of the Council on January 1, 2019, for 6 months. The page, available at românia2019.eu, in Romanian, English and French, provides useful information for journalists, the general public and European affairs experts. The calendar of the Romanian presidency will be posted on this website after January 15th.




    MONARCHY Romania today commemorates 71 years since monarchy was abolished and the country was declared a “peoples republic. On December 30th, 1947, with the country under Soviet military occupation and headed by a communist puppet government, King Mihai I was forced to relinquish power and to leave the country. Previously, on August 23rd, 1944, during WW2, the King had ordered the arrest of the countrys de facto leader, Marshall Ion Antonescu, Romanias withdrawal from its alliance with Hitlers Germany and joining its traditional allies, the USA and Britain. Historians say this decision shortened the war by at least 6 months and saved hundreds of thousands of lives. King Mihai I was only allowed to return to Romania after the 1989 Revolution, when he regained his Romanian citizenship and some of his properties. The King lobbied for Romanias accession to NATO in 2004 and EU in 2007. He passed away on December 5th, 2017, at 96 years of age. His first born, Princess Margareta, is custodian of the Crown and the Kings successor as head of the Royal House of Romania.




    MEDAL A Romanian woman born in Timişoara (west) and currently the owner of a bar in Rome was decorated by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, for her courage of informing against 2 members of a mafia family. According to Radio Romanias correspondent in Italy, Roxana Roman, 34, was granted the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, for her contribution to upholding the law. Roxana Roman owns a bar in Romanina neighbourhood in Rome, where on Easter day 2 members of the Casamonica mafia family attacked her husband, Marian Roman, and a client with disabilities. Although the mobsters ravaged the bar and warned them not to report the matter to the police, the Romanians were not intimidated and informed against them. It was the natural thing to do, says Roxana Roman. “The neighbourhood has been living in fear for a long time. There are lots of people willing to change things, but we need a new attitude, and this begins with ourselves, she told Italian mass media.




    POLICE Over 25,000 Interior Ministry personnel are on duty during the New Years holiday. Some 9,000 police with more than 3,000 vehicles are in charge of preventing and handling events that might jeopardise public safety and security. A helicopter of the Aviation Inspectorate General, with a policeman also on board, will monitor the most crowded areas. Special attention will be paid to the protection of the participants in the 125 large-scale public events expected to bring together a total of 300,000 people. The largest shows will be organised in Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu and Cluj Napoca. Meanwhile, the Police continue searches for the Brasov robbery perpetrators, who on Friday night blew up an ATM containing over 30,000 euros. The door and front window of the respective bank unit were shattered and pieces were scattered on the sidewalk and in the street.




    TOURISM Over 2 million foreigners checked in during the first 9 months of this year in Romanian hotels and boarding houses. According to the National Statistics Institute, they spent more than 1 billion euros. Foreign tourists came to Romania for business, congresses, conferences, courses, trade fairs and exhibitions. Close to half of them used travel agencies to arrange their trips to Romania, and most of them travelled by plane.




    HANDBALL Romanias mens handball team Saturday night lost the final of the “4 Nations Cup, held in the Polish city of Opole, against the host country Poland. The score was 6-5 after penalty shootouts. In the semis Romania beat the Czech Republic 27-26. The national team, coached by Spains Manuel Montoya and the Romanian Eliodor Voica, is next to have a training session in Slovakia, followed by a tournament in which the host country and Netherlands are also taking part. The mens handball team failed to qualify into the World Championship due next month in Germany and Denmark. On the other hand, Romanias womens handball team has already booked its ticket to next years World Championship in Japan, after finishing 4th in the European Championship in France this month.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • December 23, 2018

    December 23, 2018

    1989 Revolution – Events commemorating the heroes of the December 1989 anti-communist Revolution continue. On Saturday, in Bucharest and other cities across Romania several thousand people took part in a march in memory of the Revolution’s heroes, and against the current government. In the capital, commemoration events started at the monument in the Revolution Square and continued at the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation, the Romanian Television and the Telephone Palace. The participants included revolutionaries, relatives of those who died, people who were in the army in 1989 and were called to defend the public institutions from what officials back then termed as terrorists. All orthodox churches in the country and abroad held a commemoration mass to honour the heroes who sacrificed themselves in December 1989. More than 1000 people died and some 3,400 were wounded in the shootings in Romania, the only country in the Eastern Bloc where the regime was toppled violently and the communist rulers were executed.




    Paris – About 2,000 people demonstrated in Paris on Saturday. Some 142 people have been arrested, including a protest leader, police sources say. A man died in southern France, bringing the protests overall death toll to 10. There were other small-scale protests in the rest of the country, with hundreds of yellow vests briefly blocking trucks near the French-Spanish border before being dispersed by police. The “gilets jaunes” (yellow vest) protesters – named after the high-visibility jackets French motorists must carry in their cars – began in mid-November against fuel tax increases, for higher wages, lower taxes, better pensions and easier university entry requirements. On Friday evening, the French Senate approved the measures which should come into force early next year.




    Eurobarometer – 52% of the Romanians have a positive image about the EU, as compared to 43% which is the European average. According to a Eurobarometer survey, the number of Romanians who have a positive image about the EU is on the rise and above the European average. Half of the Romanians trust the EU and belive that their voice counts in the EU, 56% of the Romanians have a positive view of the situation of the European economy, and 48% of Romanians are optimistic about the labour market situation. The survey also shows that most Europeans believe, for the first time, that their voice matters in the EU. Moreover, 20 years since the introduction of the single currency, support for the economic and monetary union and the Euro remains at a record high, with three quarters of the respondents in the Eurozone in favour of the single currency. On the other hand, immigration remains the main concern at EU level. It is mentioned twice more often than terrorism.




    Ice hotel — The only ice hotel in Romania is being opened today at Balea Lac in the Southern Carpathians. The official inauguration of the entire compound, to also include an ice church and several igloos will take place next February. The ice hotel, built entirely of ice blocks, is located at an altitude of 2034 meters. This year, the theme that has inspired the hotel’s decoration is Frozen Love, promoting love and passion for nature, fresh air and trekking in the winter season. A perfume inspired from this theme will also be launched. Bookings for tourists who want to experiment sleeping at minus 2 degrees Celsius were made months in advance, especially by Britons. The Ice Hotel has been built every year, starting 2005.




    Security – During the holiday season, more than 85 hundred policemen will ensure security all over Romania. Given the big number of Romanians aboard who come to spend their winter holidays at home and the number of Romanians who go outside the country borders at this time of the year, the Romanian Border Police has reminded that there is an application that those interested can use to see how traffic is at border checkpoints. The number of trains to and from the big Romanian cities and the mountain resorts has also been supplemented.




    Employment — In Romania, the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) plans to integrate over 110 thousand unemployed people on the labour market, under a project co-financed by the European Social Fund, though the Human Capital Operational Programme 2014-2020. The budget allocated for this purpose exceeds 265 million euros, of which around 226 millions are non-repayable funds. The project will be implemented with the support of local employment agencies.


    (Translated by Elena Enache)

  • October 22, 2018

    October 22, 2018

    STRASBOURG President of Romania Klaus Iohannis will take part on Tuesday in Strasbourg in a debate organised by the European Parliament with respect to the future of the European Union. The head of state will present Romanias views on the topic. It is for the first time that the President of Romania will address the European Parliament, and his participation in the event takes place in the context of a series of debates on the future of the European bloc, in which the leaders of the EU member states are invited to take part. In the plenary session that begins on Tuesday, the MEPs will also discuss the 2019 budget of the Union, ways to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, and the taxes to be charged for the use of certain infrastructure segments by heavy duty vehicles.




    SECURITY The European Commissioner for Security Union Julian King is on an official visit to Bucharest today. He will discuss with the Interior Minister Carmen Dan topics related to the security of EU citizens, including ways to identify efficient European legislation to fight online radicalisation. Julian King will also have meetings with the head of the Romanian Intelligence Service Eduard Hellvig, with the presidential adviser for national security and with Justice Ministry officials.




    LAW The Parliament of Romania is re-examining the Offshore Bill, after the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats reached an agreement last week. In early August, President Klaus Johannis did not sign the bill into law and sent it back to Parliament for a review. What is at stake is, first and foremost, the profit that Romania will make from natural gas extraction in the Black Sea. The Energy Minister, Anton Anton, is expected to attend in the Chamber of Deputies today a debate on the Offshore Bill and the solutions for capitalising on the natural gas in the Black Sea. The Deputies in the specialised committees are to decide on the final text of the bill to be subject to the vote in a plenary sitting.




    PROTESTS Several hundreds of people Sunday night took part in a new anti-government protest. The participants voiced their discontent with a recent ruling of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, which bans unplanned protests, and with an emergency order issued by the Government concerning changes of regulations in the judiciary. In Cluj Napoca, in the north-west, around 100 people also gathered further to an appeal on social media, to protest the Governments policies in the judiciary.





    TREATY The US national security adviser John Bolton has arrived in Moscow today, where he will be received by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The latter will request clarifications regarding the USAs plan to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF). The US President Donald Trump announced a few days ago that Washington would withdraw from the INF. The US unilateral withdrawal from the treaty signed with Russia during the Cold War is a mistake, China warned on Monday. The spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chunyiong said Beijing is against this plan. The INF treaty was signed in 1987 by the US President Ronald Reagan and the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The document bans the use of missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,000 km, ending the crisis started in the 1980s by the Soviet deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles targeting all western capitals. Analysts say the withdrawal could have major implications with respect to the American defence policy in Asia, giving the Pentagon new conventional options to reinstate military balance in the region, where China has invested massively in conventional missiles.




    INVICTUS Romanian troops won the first medal in the 2018 Invictus Palarympics in Sydney, Australia, in the indoor rowing event. In the 4-minute endurance event Dumitru Paraschiva won the 3rd place, and his colleague Ciprian Iriciuc, the 4th place out of 21 competitors. At the Paralympic Games held in October 20-27, Romania is represented by 15 soldiers wounded in theatres of war. Romanian athletes, who take part in the competition for the second time, compete in the archery, cycling, Paralympic athletics, rowing, swimming, and volleyball events.




    HANDBALL The Romanian womens handball team SCM Râmnicu Vâlcea Sunday qualified into the 3rd round of the EHF Cup, after being defeated by the Turkish side Kastamonu Belediyesi, 21-20, in the return leg of the 2nd round. Another Romanian team, Măgura Cisnădie, has also qualified into this stage of the EHF Cup, after winning the 2 legs of the 2nd round against the Czech team Slavia Prague (28-25 and 29-20). SCM Craiova also enters the competition in the 3rd round, after having lost the qualifiers into the Champions League and continues into the EHF Cup. Meanwhile, HC Zalău was defeated away from home by the German team Borussia Dortmund, 24-20, and failed to qualify into the 3rd round of the EHF Cup.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • August 3, 2018 UPDATE

    August 3, 2018 UPDATE

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




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




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




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




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


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • February 6, 2018

    February 6, 2018

    REP. OF MOLDOVA – Romanias strategic objective in the relation with the Republic of Moldova is the European integration of the neighbouring state, Romanian foreign minister Teodor Meleşcanu said in Bucharest on Tuesday, fresh from the talks with his Moldovan counterpart, Tudor Ulianovschi. The two ministers talked about ways to consolidate Romanias investments in the Republic of Moldova and about prospects of interconnecting the power-grids. The Romanian foreign minister also mentioned the initiative taken by the authorities of several Moldovan towns to collect signatures for the unification with Romania, a move that has been
    described by the Moldovan President Igor Dodon as being liable to trigger a
    civil war. The declarations that are being made at local level on the unification with Romania are, from Bucharests point of view, only the expression of the Moldovan citizens wish to get closer to the citizens of Romania, without any legal implication. In turn, foreign minister and minister of European integrations, Tudor Ulianovschi, has hailed Romanias efforts to consolidate the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. He underlined that Romania is Moldovas largest trade partner. Ulianovschi has said Moldovas European orientation continues to be an unchangeable and major objective of Moldovas domestic and foreign policy.



    VISIT – Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó met in Bucharest on Monday with the Speakers of the two Chambers of the Romanian Parliament, Calin Popescu Tariceanu and Liviu Dragnea, respectively, as well as with his Romanian counterpart, Teodor Meleşcanu. The talks focussed on bilateral cooperation, special emphasis being laid on the energy field and infrastructure. Minister Péter Szijjártó has said Romania is an important strategic partner of Hungary, underlining the significant level of economic exchanges. He has also mentioned the significant contribution brought by the Romanian community in Hungary, and of the Hungarian community in Romania to assure a continuous bilateral dialogue, under its various forms. According to Radio Romanias correspondent to Budapest, Szijjártó has announced that Romania will detail, by 2020, the technical conditions which are necessary for natural gas exports to Hungary. The Romanian and Hungarian foreign ministers have also talked about the education law in Ukraine, which stipulates that education in the mother tongue is available only in kindergartens and primary schools, and they agreed to further cooperate and show opposition to this law, so that Ukraine cannot infringe upon the rights obtained by its ethnic minorities, MTI reports.



    SECURITY – The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism has announced, in its 2017 activity report that Islamic radicalisation in Romania is one of the major risks. Anti-terror prosecutors say the phenomenon has gained ground over the past few years and the law on preventing and fighting terrorism should be updated. According to them, last year Romania didnt face any concrete and consistent terror threats. In another move, anti-drug prosecutors say they seized over 2,000 kilograms of drugs in 2017, with cannabis being the most smuggled drug, brought over particularly from Spain and the Netherlands, by road. As regards cross border drug trafficking, Romania has remained a transit country, placed on the “Balkan route of transport, especially of heroine, cocaine and ecstasy.



    JUSTICE LAWS – The European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday will be hosting debates on the rule of law and the reform of the judiciary in Romania. On January 24, the European Commission voiced concern about the latest developments in Romania and called on the Romanian Parliament to reconsider the modifications to the justice laws. The independence of the judiciary and its capacity to fight corruption efficiently are the cornerstones of a strong Romania within the EU, a joint declaration issued by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the First Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, reads. The commission will analyse in detail the final modifications to the justice laws to establish their impact on the efforts to guarantee the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, the joint declaration also reads. Late last year, the ruling majority in Bucharest made up of the Social Democratic Party-the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania adopted changes to the justice laws, which have been vehemently criticised by magistrates associations and the opposition, on ground they would be aimed to politically subordinate the judicial system.



    STOCK EXCHANGES – Stocks the world over, Romania included, fell sharply, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1,175.21 points, or 4.6%, causing the biggest financial crisis since 2008. S&P 500 and Nasdaq reported similar situations and this volatility has today extended to Asian markets, especially in Japan, where the Nikkei lost almost 7 percent, falling below the key 8,000 technical level for the first time in three weeks. Other key markets in the region lost some 5%. The European Stocks joined the rout, opening sharply lower in morning trading. European markets had initially plunged by 3%, their biggest fall since the Brexit vote. The stock exchange in Bucharest opened in red, as a result of the shockwave in the US.

  • December 20, 2017

    December 20, 2017

    BUDGET – Debates continue today in the Parliament of Romania on the 2018 draft budget laws. After heated talks, MPs approved on Tuesday the funding for 2 ministries and another 7 public institutions, in the amounts proposed by the specialised committees. They also discussed and turned down 1,700 amendments tabled by the Opposition with respect to the budget of the Regional Development Ministry. Romanias state budget for 2018 is based on an expected 5.5% economic growth rate, an exchange rate of 4.55 lei for the euro, average monthly salaries of 565 euros and a budget deficit accounting for 2.97% of the GDP. The main priorities for next year are public healthcare, education and infrastructure. The right-wing opposition has criticised the draft budget, which they view as risky and likely to increase public debt.




    JUSTICE LAWS – Romanian MPs carry on today debates on two other bills in a package designed to modify the judicial framework. The draft laws concern the judicial organisation and the functioning of the Higher Council of Magistrates. On Monday, the Senate, which is the decision-making body in this case, endorsed the law on the magistrate profession. The changes that the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats intends to operate on the justice laws are strongly criticised by civil society. Hundreds of magistrates gathered in front of courts of justice around Romania, to protest what they see as a less than transparent process. It is for the first time in recent years that magistrates choose this way to express their disagreement with measures taken by the legislative.




    ANNIVERSARY – Timişoara, in western Romania, celebrates today 28 years since the day when it proclaimed itself the first Romanian city free from communism. On that day workers went on strike, the Army withdrew to their units and the anti-communist protesters were waiting for other cities to join in the movement. Sparked by the locals opposition to an abusive measure by local authorities, the Revolution spread across the country, culminating on December 22 with the dictators Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu attempting to flee the capital city. Between December 16 and 25, 1989, more than 1,000 people were killed and nearly 3,400 were wounded. According to the Military Prosecutors Office, the main cause of most of the deaths, injuries and damages was a military diversion orchestrated on the evening of December 22, 1989.




    PROTESTS – Romanian police workers are protesting today in front of the Interior Ministry headquarters against the under-funding of the system, and are demanding the resignation of Interior Minister, Carmen Dan. They also complain about the poor logistics and the disastrous state of some police units, as well as the personnel shortage, reaching around 20,000 employees. The Interior Ministry issued a news release, stating that it would take note of the police workers complaints.




    TRANSPORT – Thousands of road carriers took to the streets to demand the implementation of the legislative changes promised by Transport Minister Felix Stroe. The respective changes would enable the authorities to fight unauthorised and unlicensed operators such as taxi and rent-a-car companies and providers of occasional or regular rides. On Tuesday the Bucharest City Hall announced measures to eliminate piracy and unauthorised transport companies, but the Confederation of Authorised Operators and Carriers announced protests will continue because the rest of the country is still affected by piracy and unfair competition. In related news, the European Court of Justice ruled that Uber is a transport services company, requiring it to accept stricter regulation and licensing within the EU as a taxi operator. Romania, where Uber has been operating for 3 years, is the companys fifth-largest market in the EU.




    US SECURITY STRATEGY – Russia and China condemn US President Donald Trumps new security strategy, unveiled on Monday, which portrays Moscow and Beijing as Washingtons rival powers. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov slammed the US national security strategy as imperialist and “unwilling to give up the idea of a unipolar world. In turn, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said US was wrong to see China as a threat, and that cooperation was the only right choice for Beijing and Washington. At the top of Trumps list of security threats are the “rogue regimes of North Korea and Iran.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Romania purchases Patriot missiles

    Romania purchases Patriot missiles

    Romania will purchase 7 Patriot systems, for a combined 3.9 billion USD plus VAT. The first of them, already approved by the American Administration, will cost around 765 million USD and will be bought by year-end. The Defence Minister Mihai Fifor says the purchase will strengthen national and regional security and will help consolidate the Romanian-American strategic partnership.



    Mihai Fifor: “The Romania-USA strategic partnership launched on July 11, 1997, has been a major landmark in Romanias foreign policy, and an efficient instrument to support the domestic defence efforts. This purchase will also entail a stronger military cooperation between Romania and the US, transfers of technologies and sensitive information, and enhanced confidence between the two allies.



    The Liberal Senator Iancu Caracota agrees that the presence of this type of missile on Romanian territory means improved security. Moreover, the purchase proves that the country is perceived as a reliable partner within the North Atlantic Alliance.



    Iancu Caracota: “I am happy to see that, for the first time in recent years, the Romanian defence industry becomes an important partner for the producer of the Patriot systems. We have learned that Raytheon will sign a memorandum of understanding with Aerostar Bacau, enabling the Romanian defence industry to contribute to the production and maintenance of every Patriot system delivered to Romania.



    In turn, Senator Adrian Tutuianu, a member of the Social Democratic Party in power in Romania, emphasises that the country needs a modern missile system, considering that at present the Romanian Army only has short and medium range surface-to-air missiles that are obsolete in terms of operation and technology.



    Adrian Tutuianu: “The solution chosen by the Army best suits Romanias security interests, ensures interoperability with NATO structures, and provides better protection to the citizens of Romania, given the fundamental changes in the regional security context since 2014.



    Nicu Falcoi, a member of the Save Romania Union in opposition, emphasises that his party will continue to support the allocation of 2% of the GDP for defence.



    Nicu Falcoi: “However, this money must not be spent just for the sake of spending it, but it must ensure the highest possible gains for Romania. I know that this purchase brings Romania into a select club that is by no means easy to enter, and that our air defence capabilities will increase exponentially.



    Patriot systems are regarded as the worlds most advanced technology in the field, with latest-generation interceptor missiles and complex radar systems able to detect and respond to threats within seconds.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Bucharest hosts NATO Parliamentary Assembly

    Bucharest hosts NATO Parliamentary Assembly

    The North-Atlantic Treaty Organization risks losing its technological edge unless it invests more in research and development (R&D), reads a report made public during the 63rd session of NATOs Parliamentary Assembly hosted by Bucharest. Presented by NATO General Rapporteur Thomas Marino of the United States, the document is titled: “Maintaining NATOs Technology Edge: Strategic Adaptation and Defence Research & Development.



    According to the report, NATOs technological edge is warning against the rapid advancements in the fields of science and technology, some of which might potentially disrupt the strategic balance as regards production on the short term and artificial intelligence on the long term. Thomas Marino says that, for the time being, NATO is not prepared to deal with these challenges, particularly while considering the dropping rate of R&D investment in member states.



    Conversely, the NATO official pointed out, Russias R&D budget doubled over 2012-2015, and some experts say that by 2020 Chinas budget for research and development will exceed that of the United States, which currently accounts for two thirds of NATOs total spending. Thomas Marino highlighted the fact that NATO members must abide by their commitment to allocating 2% of their GDP to defence spending, a goal Romania has already achieved.



    Additionally, the NATO official referred to the idea of a common EU security fund, which might be instrumental in further expanding research and development capabilities and rebuilding the basis of the EUs defence industry. Another document drafted by the NATO PAs Political Committee shows that Russia is strengthening its military capabilities and intensifying its actions on NATOs eastern borders.



    Under the heading “Russia – from Partner to Competitor, the report highlights Moscows actions aimed at exerting pressure on the whole Euro-Atlantic area. Moscows challenging attitude towards the Alliance and its ingressions in Ukraine, Georgia and other NATO partners are undermining the stability of NATO and the EU. The report recommends all allies to remain committed to a strong deterrence posture and stand up against Russias continuous provocations and aggressions against NATO partner countries, particularly Ukraine and Georgia. The document concludes that allies should maintain periodic and meaningful dialogue with Russia, although some topics as counter-terrorism or the peacemaking process in Syria remain very delicate topics.

  • September 16, 2017 UPDATE

    September 16, 2017 UPDATE

    FINANCIAL – Romania will keep the budget deficit below 3%, as was pledged under the Stability and Growth Pact, the finance minister Ionuţ Mişa said in a meeting with Valdis Dombrovskis, EC Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. The two officials have had a meeting on the sidelines of the informal meeting of the ECOFIN Council organized by the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on September 15 -16. The Romanian official has also said the 5.6% economic growth rate in 2017 is based on consumption, an increase in the volume of the industrial output and a plummeting unemployment rate. According to a preliminary Autumn 2017 Forecast released on Friday by the National Prognosis Commission, estimates on Romania’s economic growth in 2017 have been revised upward from 5.2% to 5.6%.



    VISIT – EU Commissioner for the Security Union, Julian King, will pay an official visit to Bucharest on Monday, for talks with PM Mihai Tudose, justice minister Tudorel Toader and interior minister Carmen Dan. The focal points of the talks, to also be attended by members of the relevant parliamentary committees, will be the fight against terrorism, the exchange of information and the implementation of the recently adopted security legislation. The European Commissioner will also visit the Operational Coordination Centre of the Border Police.



    ROMANIAN TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN– Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, has granted corporal Mădălin Stoica the posthumous award “Romanias Star National Order in rank of knight. Mădălin Stoica died in the line of duty in Afghanistan on Friday, in an attack against a Romanian military patrol mission in the area. The award was offered in token of respect and appreciation for the commitment and courage proven in the line of duty, the decree signed by the head of state shows. The U.S. ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, has hailed the valor of Romanias soldiers in Afghanistan, in a message of condolence to the family of the Romanian military who died on Friday. “ I was saddened to hear of the death of Corporal Mădălin Stoica who was killed during an incident in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and of injuries to other two Romanian soldiers. I would like to extend my personal condolences and those of the United States to the family and friends of Corporal Mădălin Stoica, as well as to his fellow soldiers. I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers. The valor of Romanias soldiers in the NATO mission in Afghanistan continues to demonstrate the highest commitment to defending freedom and democracy, “ ambassador Klemm writes in the message of condolence. Corporal Madalin Stoica was on his first mission on theatres of operations. Two other soldiers were injured in the incident, but they are stable. In 2017, the Romanian Army is contributing over 620 troops to the NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, 300 other military being deployed to other regions of the world as part of NATO, EU, UN and OSCE-led missions. 29 Romanian military have lost their lives and over 180 others got injured so far, on missions abroad. The security situation in Afghanistan is still unstable, most incidents being reported in the east and the south.



    LONDON – The British Police make “significant arrest in London subway terror attack, claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group. On Friday morning, an explosion at Parsons Green underground station in the west of London injured tens of passengers and led to a terrorist attack being declared. British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the UK’s terror threat level to critical, its highest level after London was hit by this new terror attack. Critical means an attack is expected imminently and soldiers will be put on the streets to guard key sites and free up police officers.



    MIGRANTS – The Romanian border police has stopped 19 Iraqi nationals, of which 4 minors, asylum seekers in Romania, upon trying to illegally leave Romania, the line authorities have announced. The Iraqis declared their intention to reach a Schengen country and said they made this choice because they were not holding a valid visa. The number of people trying to illegally cross Romanias western border with Hungary, in the west, has been on the rise over the past year. The number of foreigners trying to illegally cross the border into Romania, by boat, on the Black Sea, has also increased.



    TENNIS – Austria leads Romania 2-1 in the Davis Cup tennis matches played in Wels, in the first-round playoffs to remain in the Europe/ Africa Group I. On Saturday in the mens doubles, Horia Tecău and Nicolae Frunză defeated Dominic Thiem/Philipp Oswald, 3-1. On Friday in the singles, Gerald Melzer defeated Dragoş Dima and Dominic Thiem outperformed Bogdan Borza. On Sunday, Dominic Thiem will play Dragoş Dima and Gerald Melzer will face Bogdan Borza. In the direct matches, Romania leads Austria 3-2.



    RECORD-Romanian swimmer Avram Iancu, a librarian by profession, on Saturday finished the swimming race from Danube’s springs to the Black Sea, thus becoming the first man to ever cross the river from the place where the Danube rises to the place where the river empties into the Black Sea, without any additional equipment. The race ended in Sulina and covered a distance of 2,860 km.



    TABLE TENNIS – Romanias table tennis team on Saturday qualified for the European Championship final held in Luxembourg, after having defeated Russia, 3-0. On Sunday, Romania will play Germany, which has outperformed the Netherlands, 3-2, in the other semi-finals. Romanias womens table tennis team is the holder of three European titles, the last one being grabbed 12 years ago. Germanys national team has won the title in the last three editions and boasts an overall number of seven gold medals.

  • July 30, 2017 UPDATE

    July 30, 2017 UPDATE

    DEFENCE – The Supreme Defence Council is to convene in Bucharest on Tuesday. The agenda of the meeting, chaired by President Klaus Iohannis, includes a presentation of the Plan of equipment procurement for the Romanian Army in 2017-2026. The plan provides for the implementation of a commitment made in 2015 by all political parties, with respect to earmarking 2% of the GDP for the defence sector for 10 years, starting in 2017. The latest Defence Council meeting was held on July 4, but at that time the Plan for army equipment procurement was withdrawn from the agenda of the meeting, in order to be adjusted to the politically agreed target of earmarking 2% of the GDP to this sector.





    HEALTHCARE – The Romanian Healthcare Minister, Florian Bodog, hopes Parliament will pass the new vaccination law quickly. He also welcomed the decision of Ludovic Orban, president of the National Liberal Party in opposition, to support compulsory vaccination. In turn, PM Mihai Tudose said in an interview on the public radio that the current situation requires the introduction of compulsory vaccination. On Thursday, the Cabinet discussed a draft law on vaccination, laying down responsibilities both for the authorities and healthcare staff, and for parents. The bill is designed to regulate the organisation and funding of vaccination in Romania, as well as to raise awareness on the benefits, safety, quality and possible adverse reactions to immunisation. The bill also provides for a national reserve stock covering at least the annual vaccine needs, with doses valid for at least one and a half years. The bill was drafted after the large number of measles cases and deaths caused by this disease prompted the World Health Organisation to include Romania in the 5 countries that total over 80% of the number of cases reported worldwide.




    TRAFFICKING – July 30 was the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, proclaimed by the UN 4 years ago in order to put an end to this crime and protect its victims. Statistics show that millions of people around the world, particularly vulnerable women and girls, are sold every year in modern slavery. The victims are recruited from poverty-striken countries and become subject to various forms of exploitation. This week alone, the authorities in Italy and Spain have found scores of Romanians exploited by their employers in those countries. The Romanian PM Mihai Tudose said the Minister for the Romanians living abroad Andreea Păstârnac would receive increased powers, so as to make sure that no Romanian citizen living abroad would be discriminated against. In this context, Mihai Tudose is to have a meeting in Bucharest on Monday with the Ambassador of Spain to Bucharest, Ramiro Fernandez Bachiller, and with Minister Andreea Păstîrnac.




    SECURITY – The security challenges currently facing Romania and NATO member states will be discussed in an event taking place in Bucharest between July 31 and August 5 and entitled ‘Defence and Dialogue in Eastern Europe’ (DDEE). International experts and Romanian officials will talk about hybrid threats, recent misinformation campaigns and large-scale cyber-attacks. Attending the event organised by Euro Atlantic Diplomacy Society will be around 200 young people from 36 countries.




    NATO – A British destroyer and a Turkish frigate are in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta for 2 days. They are part of the standing NATO group which, together with Ferdinand frigate of the Romanian Navy have taken part in joint training sessions and in sea traffic monitoring missions. On board the British destroyer, the commander of the standing NATO maritime group James Borley said the Alliance has a constant presence at the Black Sea because some riparian countries are also members of the Organisation.




    TERRORIST PLOT – The Australian security forces have foiled a presumably Islamist terror plan to detonate a bomb targeting an airplane, and four individuals have been arrested, PM Malcolm Turnbull has announced, according to AFP. He added that security was tightened in Australian airports. A total of 12 terrorist plots have been foiled in Australia and some 60 people have been sent to court since the alert level was raised in September 2014. Australia is taking part in the US-led international coalition conducting air raids against the Islamic State jihadist group in Iraq and Syria since the summer of 2014.




    SPORTS – Romania won 8 medals, 5 silver and 3 bronze, at the 2017 summer edition of the European Youth Olympics Festival, which came to an end on Saturday in Gyor (Hungary). On the last day of the competition the Romanian athletes won 3 more silver medals. The womens handball team lost the final to the host team, Hungary, 30-23, the tennis player Nicholas David Ionel was defeated in the final by the Italian Lorenzo Rottoli, and athlete Cristian Gabriel Voicu won the silver in the 800 m race. Romanias delegation in this edition of the Festival was made up of 77 athletes, competing in athletics, cycling, gymnastics, handball, swimming, judo, rowing and tennis.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)