PROTESTS – Romania’s Prime
Minister Marcel Ciolacu has called a meeting today with representatives of
transporters and farmers and the relevant ministries. Last week’s talks focused
on identifying solutions to the demands voiced by protesters, the most
important of which is the price of civil liability insurances for car owners.
The Financial Surveillance Authority (CNAS) is working on a set of measures to
lower these prices, particularly for those people that don’t cause road traffic
accidents. In turn, farmers received assurances they will receive the remaining
5% of the total of 1.6 bln EUR awarded in subsidies. Employees of the public
health agencies also staged protests, calling for higher salaries, after the National
Health Insurance Authority negotiated a salary increase for its workers last
year. Meanwhile, the Sanitas Federation is expected to decide the organization
of an all-out strike. Trade unions say the government’s recent decision to lift
the hiring freeze in the health sector does not solve the problems in the
system, where salaries are low and prevent people from applying for jobs. In
its latest session, the government green-lit the organization of
vacancy-filling contests for approximately 7,600 jobs in an attempt to solve
the swiftly deepening crisis in the medical system, which faces severe
personnel shortages. Family physicians have in turn threatened to close their
practices if the National Health Insurance Authority slashes subsidies for
patients, a measure they say could lower their revenues by as much as 50%
starting February. We recall last week CNAS submitted a project to slash
subsidies awarded to patients on their lists, as well as consultations provided
by family physicians.
ENVIRONMENT – Environment
Minister Mircea Fechet is as of today attending the two-day informal meeting of
EU Environment Ministers in Brussels. The agenda focuses on adaptation and
resilience, climate ambition and policy, circular economy and just transition.
As regards adaptation and resilience, Member States will discuss how to
increase societal and economic resilience in the face of climate change and
will identify areas in which further action can be taken in the years to come
in order to boost the preparedness of the EU. According to the European
Council, the transition towards a climate-neutral economy and a society that
lives within the limits of the planet will require a whole-of-society approach.
With respect to just transition, in continuing the work initiated under the
Spanish presidency, the Belgian presidency now intends to ensure that the
challenges of a just transition remain high on the political agenda. And
finally, referring to circular economy, the EU Green Deal has set an ambitious
strategic objective to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, by
means of a more resource-efficient, resilient and competitive economy.
CULTURE DAY – Romanian Culture
Day is celebrated on January 15 in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, this
year marking 174 years since the birth of Mihai Eminescu (15 January 1850 – 15
June 1889). The event is celebrated through a series of exhibitions,
performances, theatre shows, guided tours and concerts. Radio Romania stations
also celebrate culture in all its forms on this day. All museums administered
by the Ministry of Culture can be visited for free today. Romanian Culture Day
is also celebrated by communities of Romanians abroad. The Romanian Cultural
Institute organized a special event in Rome. For the second consecutive year,
the Romanian and Moldovan embassies in Italy jointly celebrated Romanian
Culture Day in an event also attended by members of Romanian and Moldovan
communities in Italy.
MAIA SANDU – Moldova’s
president Maia Sandu is the first person to receive the Timișoara Award for European Values. The Award celebrates personalities who
gained international recognition for promoting or defending European values. In
her acceptance speech, president Sandu said she wants Moldova to prosper and
develop the same as other European countries. Maia Sandu was elected for her
determination and clarity of vision in her efforts to further the European
integration of the Republic of Moldova.
HANDBALL – The Romanian men’s handball
team on Sunday lost 36-24 to Spain in its second Group B fixture at the
European Championship in Germany. On Friday, Romania had also lost to Austria,
31-24. The third round is scheduled for tomorrow, when Romania will play
Croatia whereas Spain will take on Austria. Spain won the championship in 2018
and 2020 and played another final in 2022, whereas Croatia played the 2020
final. The top two teams in each group will advance to the main group phase. (VP)