ZELENSKYY IN ROMANIA – Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is today paying
an official visit to Romania, the first since the full-scale Russian invasion
of Ukraine last year. Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet president Klaus Iohannis.
According to the presidency, the visit comes as further confirmation of
Romania’s unconditional support for Ukraine in the context of Russia’s illegal
war against this country and of the good bilateral relation. President Iohannis
will focus on constructive and pragmatic approaches to the key areas of
bilateral cooperation, in particular the expansion of cross-border connections,
economic ties, Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration as well as the
proper observance of the rights of national minorities. The agenda for talks
also includes regional security and the Ukrainian grain crisis. Upon arriving
in Bucharest, Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Romania’s support for Ukraine. In a
message on social media, the Ukrainian president wrote that Romania’s
solidarity allows the two nations to act as security providers in the world,
food security in particular. President Zelenskyy is also expected to meet Prime
Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
ATTACKS IN ISRAEL – The death toll of the latest conflict in the Middle East
between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas has exceeded 1,500 dead, of
whom 900 in Israel and 600 in Gaza. Over 2,600 Israeli citizens and some 3,700
Palestinians have been wounded in the attacks and ensuing retaliation strikes.
Hamas has captured over 100 hostages, mostly Israelis, but also citizens of
other states and has threatened to kill one hostage every time civilian
objectives are bombed. Israel has called up an unprecedented number of 300,000
reservists and has built up a sizable force on the border with Gaza. Defense
Minister Yoav Gallant announced Israel has now imposed a total blockade on
Gaza, after cutting supplies of electricity, fuel and food via Israel, a
decision met with criticism from international humanitarian organizations. On
the other hand, Arab League Foreign Ministers on Wednesday will convene in an
emergency meeting to address the crisis in Palestine and Israel.
ROMANIANS IN ISRAEL – The
government is looking for solutions to repatriate an additional 780 Romanian
nationals who want to leave Israel. They will be brought home onboard flights
operated by the national airline TAROM, which will take the total number of
Romanians repatriated to 1,600. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu will today hold
talks with government members and the head of the Competition Council after
some airlines have refused to provide refunds to Romanians who have been
repatriated and have offered them other trips instead. The Romanian official
has thanked TAROM for taking the risk of flying to conflict areas to bring Romanians
home.
EXERCISE – Over 400 servicemen are
taking part in the Steadfast Jupiter 2023. The opening ceremony is today taking
place in the Getica Training Center in Cincu, Brașov County. Taking place are military
from 17 allied states and over 20 subunits of NATO command structures.
Steadfast Jupiter is organized by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SHAPE)
and focuses on a 360-degree approach to the security and collective defence of
the North Atlantic Alliance. According to the Defense Ministry, the exercise is
intended to increase the cohesion and interoperability among the armed forces
involved, being an excellent opportunity to test the response and the
command-and-control abilities as well as the defense posture in a geopolitical
environment characterized by multiple threats.
IMF – The International Monetary Fund estimates an
economic growth of 2.2% for Romania this year compared to the previous forecast
of 2.4%, according to a report the IMF presented today. For 2024, the IMF
anticipates a 3.8% economic growth. The annual inflation rate forecast stands
at 10.7% in 2023 and at 5.8% in 2024. According to a report of a recent IMF
mission to Bucharest, budget deficit will stand at 6% this year and 5% next
year. The head of the IMF mission in Romania, Jan Kees Martijn said the
government’s fiscal package is designed to curb public spending, although
additional measures are required to boost efficiency and revenues.
FILM – The winners of the Cannes, Berlin and
Venice film festivals this year will be screened alongside much anticipated
Romanian productions as part of the 14th edition of the Festival Les Films de Cannes a Bucarest, held over October
20-29. Over 43 features and 15 shorts from 15 countries have been selected for
this year’s edition. (VP)