Radio România Internațional

Tag: UN Security Council

September 30, 2022

RESIGNATION – Research Minister Sebastian
Burduja will act as interim Education Minister after Liberal Sorin Cîmpeanu resigned on Thursday in the wake of plagiarism accusations. Sorin
Cîmpeanu is accused of having plagiarised dozens of pages written by other
university professors.

MOSCOW – Russia’s
president, Vladimir Putin, is preparing to annex four Ukrainian regions
partially occupied by Russia. The Kremlin leader is about to declare Kherson,
Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk Russian territories as part of a ceremonies
scheduled this afternoon in Moscow. Ukraine has announced it will continue to
fight to liberate these territories. Kyiv officials say the annexation lacks
any legitimacy and represents Moscow’s reaction to the latest defeats on the
frontline. The annexation will also probably lead to an escalation of the war,
considering the Kremlin could claim that any attack on these regions will be an
attack on a Russian territory. Russian forces are now controlling most of the
Luhansk and Kherson regions, but only a few areas in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.
Western powers say they will not recognize any of Russia’s declarations and
threatened to introduce new sanctions. Romania has also condemned in strong
terms the illegitimate referendums organized on the annexation of Ukrainian
territories illegally occupied by Russian forces and said it does not recognize
their results. The Romanian Foreign Ministry says Moscow is once again
breaching fundamental principles of international law and is acting against its
responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

UN – The UN Security
Council is today expected to pass a resolution condemning the so-called
referendums on the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions. The resolution
cannot be however adopted as Russia still holds veto rights in the Security
Council. Consulted by AFP, the document condemns the organization of illegal
referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia by the Russian
Federation, claiming they are not legitimate and cannot serve as a basis for any
modification in the status of these regions, including any possible annexation
by Russia. The draft resolution prepared by the United States and Albania advises
all states and other organizations against recognizing a possible annexation of
the four regions by Russia, also demanding Moscow should immediately end its
invasion of Ukraine and withdraw its entire military forces from this country.
If Russia’s veto is unquestioned, China’s position remains under scrutiny as
Western powers have sometimes condemned Beijing’s reconciling attitude towards
Russia. At official level, China has repeated its call for observing the
territorial integrity of all states. India’s position will be equally
monitored. The vote in the UN General Assembly, where none of the 193 members
of the UN has veto rights, will permit a possible isolation of Russia.

RESEARCH – 24 cities across
Romania on Friday will host a captivating science and research event – the
Night of European Researchers. The event is designed to introduce guests to the
ins and outs of a researcher’s life. In Bucharest, the largest open-air
laboratory will open its doors at the House of Scientists, where people can
learn more about the importance of sleep, first-aid, the magic of chemistry and
the unknown life of bats. Science buffs will also get the opportunity to
perform physics and chemistry experiments and take part in interactive
mechatronics or robotics workshops.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis
player Ana Bogdan (53 WTA) on Thursday advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA
tournament in Parma, Italy, totaling over 200 thousand EUR in total prizes. In
the quarterfinals, Bogdan knocked out another Romanian player, Irina Begu (33
WTA), score 6-2, 7-6. This was the first match pitting Bogdan against Begu. In
the semis, Ana Bogdan will take on Mayar Sherif of Egypt (74 WTA). (VP)

30 September 2022
May 20, 2022

Security Council. At the UN Security Council in New York, Romanias Foreign Minister, Bogdan Aurescu, spoke about Romanias contribution to counteracting the effects of the Russian war against Ukraine, at the debate titled Maintaining international peace and security – conflict and food security. The head of diplomacy in Bucharest participated on Thursday, at the invitation of the American Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the open debate organized by the USA, the country that is holding the monthly presidency of the UN Security Council. Bogdan Aurescu reiterated the need for a wider effort at international level for the creation of a transport corridor that would include Romanian routes and ports, in order to facilitate the Ukrainian exports to third destinations. At the same time, the Romanian minister firmly rejected the completely unfounded accusations made by the Russian Federations representative during the debate that there was an “agreement” for Ukraine to export grains to the West in exchange for military assistance. The head of the Romanian diplomacy also announced that Romania will host, starting with 2023, a Regional Agrometeorology Center for Europe, approved by the World Meteorological Organization.

Labour. The Ministry of Labor in Bucharest plans to constantly monitor the situation of Romanian workers abroad, especially seasonal workers, who have sometimes been victims of exploitation. 4 million Romanians are officially registered as working abroad, in the states of the European Union, but in reality their number would be close to 5 million. The Minister of Labor, Marius Budai, has stated that the Romanian seasonal workers mainly work in agriculture, construction or in the meat industry and have been faced different issues related to working conditions, occupational health and safety, or the fact that they have not been granted even the minimum wage in Germany. Other issues include salary withholdings, dismissals with request for repatriation, non-payment of salary, non-compliance with labor protection regulations, non-compliance with hygienic conditions, improper accommodation and food.

Ukraine. Ukraines Donbas industrial region has been completely destroyed by Russian forces, president Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The Donbas is the main target of Russian forces after they were forced to withdraw from Kyiv and Kharkov. The Russians are resorting to intense bombing, including on cities, in an attempt to break up the Ukrainian front. Russian bombings, however, target localities across Ukraine, with one of the most targeted areas in recent times being Odessa, according to President Zelensky. Odessa is the main port of Ukraine and has been under Russian blockade since the beginning of the war. The blockade prevents Ukraine from exporting, which affects global food supply and prices. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Moscow of using food as a weapon that affects the world. Russia has also been accused of stealing large quantities of grain from the Ukrainian territories it has seized. Moscow rejects the accusations.

EU funding. The European Parliament is asking for funding for Member States to deal with the effects of the war in Ukraine, by confiscating the assets of Russian oligarchs, using Unions own resources and making full use of the common budget. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs also call for an increase in European funds through means such as the corporate tax on energy companies, a temporary Union package on social resilience and a new fund for strategic autonomy to boost energy and food security.

Tennis. Romanian tennis player Simona Halep will face Croatian Ana Konjuh in the first round of the Roland Garros Grand Slam tournament, which starts on Sunday in Paris, according to the draw held on Thursday night . Halep won the French Open in 2018 and was a finalist in 2014 and 2017. She did not attend last years edition due to an injury. Sorana Cîrstea will play against the German Tatjana Maria, Gabriela Ruse will face the Belgian Elise Mertens, and Irina Begu will take on the Italian Jasmine Paolini. Another Romanian, Ana Bogdan, will have a difficult mission in the match with the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka. Irina Bara has also qualified for the tournament, and Mihaela Buzărnescu is playing today, in the last round of qualifications, against the Swede Mirjam Bjorklund. (MI)

20 May 2022
War in Ukraine

In the early
hours of Thursday morning, international organizations and individual countries issued their first reactions to Russia’s ongoing attack in Ukraine.

Romania’s
president, Klaus Iohannis, on Thursday, firmly condemned Russia’s military
aggression in Ukraine, labeling it a grave breach of international law, of
Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity. This will be met with the strongest
reaction by the international community inflicting massive consequences and the
most severe cost, president Iohannis tweeted.

NATO Secretary
General, Jens Stoltenberg, strongly condemned Russia’s reckless and unprovoked
attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives. The NATO
official described the attack as a serious violation of international law threatening
Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action
immediately and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. NATO
Allies will meet to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions. We
stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it
takes to protect and defend all Allies, Secretary Stoltenberg said.

In turn, the US
Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, condemned Putin’s
order to start a military operation in Donbas, arguing at the exact time as we
are gathered in the council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in
total disdain for the responsibility for this council. This is a grave
emergency, the US official added.

24 February 2022
The international community condemns Russia’s recent actions regarding Ukraine

The Kremlin leaders decision to sign the decree recognizing the independence of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine has been strongly condemned by Romania. “This act is a flagrant violation of international law, of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia is also violating its obligations as a signatory to the Minsk Agreements, which are now devoid of meaning”, Romanias President Klaus Iohannis said in a press release.

Bucharest considers that Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, threatens, through its actions, the global peace and security guaranteed by the Security Council itself, by deliberately violating the principles of international law provided by the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.The international community must firmly, immediately and unequivocally sanction this irresponsible decision of Russia, the head of state added, stressing that Romania reaffirms its strong support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and will act in coordination with its partners and allies to implement the appropriate measures in response to the current situation.

The Romanian government also condemns any attempt to question Ukraines territorial integrity and considers questioning the status of a UN member a revisionist approach that threatens peace in Europe and the world.The decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of the two separatist regions and to send peacekeepers to the Donbas has sparked a wave of international condemnation, and the UN Security Council has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine.

Russias order to deploy “peacekeepers” in eastern Ukraine is “a nonsense”, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said at the meeting. According to her, Moscows recognition of the independence of the separatist regions in the east of Ukraine is part of Russias plan to create a pretext for a large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The United States and Britain have already announced that they will impose sanctions on Russia, and Germany has said Moscows actions will not go unanswered. Brussels also announced, shortly after the signing of the decrees by Putin, that the EU would react with sanctions against those involved in this illegal action.

“Moscow continues to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support to the separatists. It is also trying to stage a pretext to invade Ukraine once again”. “This further undermines Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements, to which Russia is a party”, the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. (MI)

22 February 2022
August 16, 2021 UPDATE

Covid Romania – The Romanian authorities on Monday reported over 280 new COVID cases out of 18,700 tests. Most of the cases were registered in Bucharest. Five deaths were also reported. The number of hospitalized patients continues to grow – there are now over 940 people in hospital, of whom 120 are in serious condition in Intensive Care. On the other hand, interest in vaccination remains low, despite repeated calls from the authorities. On Monday, reports showed that only around 12 thousand vaccine doses had been administered in the past 24 hours. All in all, about 5 million Romanians have been fully vaccinated.

Kabul — The Taliban control Afghanistan, and the British and NATO forces will not return to fight the insurgents, the British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Monday as quoted by Reuters. According to a US official, most Western diplomats have left the Taliban-controlled capital, Kabul. At the same time, at least five people died on Monday at the Kabul airport, while hundreds of people were trying to force their way into the planes leaving the capital. It is unclear whether the victims were killed by gunfire or died in the stampede. The U.S. troops are in command of the airport, helping to evacuate the U.S. embassy staff and other civilians. To calm things down, the American forces fired shots into the air. A joint statement, backed by more than 60 countries, asks for the Afghans and foreign nationals wishing to leave Afghanistan to be allowed to leave and for the airports and border crossing points to remain open, Reuters reports, quoting the US Department of State. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called on the Taliban and all the other groups on the Afghan political scene to show maximum restraint. He called on the Security Council to make use of all instruments available to eliminate the world terrorist threat in Afghanistan and to guarantee the observance the fundamental human rights in that country.

Afghanistan – The Romanian PM Florin Cîţu said on Monday that the 35 Romanians who are still in Afghanistan will be repatriated with an aircraft. Subsequently, President Klaus Iohannis ordered the urgent involvement of the Air Forces in the evacuation of the Romanian citizens. The Romanian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that it had reassessed and raised the alert level for Afghanistan and urged the Romanian citizens to urgently leave the territory of that state and to avoid any travel to Afghanistan. The activity of the Romanian Embassy in Kabul was suspended in 2019, following an attack that severely damaged the mission’s headquarters, MAE reports. We remind you that the Romanian military returned home after almost two decades of uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan. 27 of them lost their lives in missions or attacks by Taliban terrorists, and more than 200 were injured. All in all, more than 32,000 soldiers have taken part in missions in Afghanistan. The total costs of Romania’s participation in Afghanistan amounted to over 3 billion lei (the equivalent of about 600 million Euros).

Baccalaureate – The autumn session of the national Baccalaureate exam started on Monday in Romania with the Romanian Language and Literature test. The compulsory specialization tests will take place on Tuesday, and Wednesday will see the tests for the optional subject matters. Almost 39,000 candidates registered for the current Baccalaureate session, of whom 60% are from among this years high-school graduates, the Education Ministry announced. The final results will be announced on September 3. The pass rate, after the first session held in June-July, stood at 70%, which is almost 5 percent higher as compared to the same session last year.

Rowing – Romania obtained excellent results at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Plovdiv (Bulgaria), held between August 11-15: two gold medals and one bronze, which placed it third in the overall medal standings, the president of the Romanian Rowing Federation, Elisabeta Lipă, said. According to her, for juniors, it was the first major competition this year, still dominated by the pandemic and numerous restrictions. Romania participated in the Championships with 11 crews and 43 athletes. It was outranked by the US and Germany, but finished ahead of Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain.

Fires — The more than 100 Romanian firefighters who were involved in putting out the fires in Greece, as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, returned to the country on Monday. The authorities in Bucharest congratulated them during a ceremony and have given them a promotion. The Romanian firefighters were also praised by the Greek press, by the locals, as well as by their Greek colleagues for their intervention manner and courage. On Friday, the team of firefighters who participated in the firefighting operations in Northern Macedonia, during a mission that lasted almost a week, also returned to Romania.(LS)

16 August 2021
July 2, 2020

Covid-10 RO. In Romania, the total number of Sars-Cov-2 infections stands at 27,700, according to the Strategic Communication Group. The death toll has reached 1687. Of the people confirmed positive, more than 19,300 have been declared cured and discharged from hospital. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 4,795 Romanian citizens abroad have been confirmed with COVID-19, mostly in Germany, Italy and Spain. So far, 115 Romanian citizens abroad have died due to the new coronavirus. In the context of the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the authorities have stressed the fact that companies that do not comply with safety rules will be sanctioned and that controls will be intensified.

Economy. The Liberal government in Bucharest has presented an ambitious economic recovery plan after the pandemic, with a budget of 100 billion euros and based, in particular, on attracting European funds. The document covers transport and energy infrastructure, health, education, investments for local development, agricultural and irrigation infrastructure, environmental investments and sports infrastructure. The aim is to increase the gross domestic product per capita so that it reaches 87% of the European Union average in five years. The major difference in approach would be, according to the initiators, economic growth based on massive investments, which would replace the current model based mainly on consumption. However, the Social-Democratic opposition claims that this is an exclusively electoral program.

Unemployment. The unemployment rate in Romania rose to 5.2% in May 2020, at the level of the first half of 2017, the National Institute of Statistics has reported today. The unemployment rate for men – 6.1% – exceeded that of women by 2.1 percentage points. For people aged 25 to 74, the unemployment rate was estimated at 4.2% in May 2020. The number of unemployed aged 25 to 74 accounts for 74.9% of the total number of unemployed estimated for May 2020. The Institute also says in its communiqué that the arrivals registered in the tourist reception structures in May 2020 decreased by about 97% compared to those in May 2019, and those of foreign tourists account for 3.8%. According to the National Institute of Statistics, these data capture the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and of the measures taken by the authorities as a result of declaring a state of emergency on the Romanian territory starting with March 16, 2020 and the state of alert as of May 17.

Pandemic. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infection around the world has exceeded 10.8 million, and the number of deaths reported as being associated with Covid-19 has reached 519,000, according to Worldometers website. More than six million people infected with Sars-Cov-2 have been declared cured. The United States ranks first in the world with regard to the number of cases of infection and death. Nearly 53,000 coronavirus infections were recorded in the United States in 24 hours, a record high since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The death toll has exceeded 130,000. For at least the next three weeks, all indoor activities in bars, restaurants, theaters and other facilities in the US state of California will be banned due to the steep increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, the California governor has announced. The governor of Michigan, in the north of the country, also announced the closure of most bars. Brazil, which ranks second in the ranking of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, has reached the threshold of 60,000 deaths associated with the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus.

UN. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in conflict zones around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Radio Romania correspondent in Washington, the call for a global armistice, except for the anti-terrorist operations, was delayed by three months, due to the disputes between the United States and China. The resolution, which was introduced in the Council by France and Tunisia, is the first related to the coronavirus pandemic. It covers the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Libya, South Sudan and Congo and does not apply to military operations against ISIS and Al-Qaeda. The resolution calls for “all parties to armed conflicts to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days” to allow for delivery of humanitarian assistance and medical evacuations.

Russia. The Russians overwhelmingly approved the amendment to the constitution, which strengthens the power of President Vladimir Putin. The Radio Romania correspondent in Moscow recalls that the most contested amendment gives Putin the right to run for two more six-year presidential terms. The amendments extend the prerogatives of parliament, government and the judiciary, but maintain and strengthen the presidents control over the main state institutions and decision-making mechanisms. The new version of the fundamental law bans the alienation of Russian territory, which also includes Crimea and the South Kurile Islands, and imposes the priority of Russian law over international law. Also, elements of the current conservative ideology of the Kremlin are introduced in the Constitution, being mentioned the faith in God, the marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and the defense of historical memory. The opposition condemns the amendments as an attempt to extend Putins power. (M. Ignatescu)

2 July 2020
June 7, 2019

IMF -
The delegation of IMF officials today presented the conclusions of their annual
assessment of Romania’s economy. IMF experts argue that, while Romania’s
consumption-based economic growth remains strong, contributing to reducing development
gaps, macroeconomic imbalances have deepened, while the current account and fiscal
deficits have gone up, together with inflation pressure. The head of the IMF
delegation to Romania Jaewoo Lee pointed out that unless policies are changed,
progress in the field of convergence will be affected, with pensioners and poor
people feeling the effects. The IMF official said a more balanced mix of
policies is needed, that should start with fiscal consolidation, strengthening monetary
policy and greater flexibility for the exchange rate, in addition to increased predictability
and improved governance. Right now Romania has no ongoing agreement with the
IMF, although the Fund is every year monitoring the evolution of Romanian
economy. International financial institutions estimate Romania’s economy will
report an economic growth below 4% in 2019.

JHA -
Romanian Interior Minister Carmen Dan is today chairing the Justice and Home
Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, held on the sidelines of the Romanian
Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In the home affairs section
the Council will propose concrete measures to manage migration, including the
adoption of regulations for the creation of the Migration and Asylum Fund.
Regarding the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria, Minister Dan said
there is consensus at the level of the JHA. Also today, Minister Dan is
attending the signing of the new Europol- FRONTEX joint action plan, in the
presence of Europol executive director Catherine de Bolle, FRONTEX executive
director Fabrice Leggeri and EU Commissioners Dimitris Avramopoulos and Julian
King.

UN – Foreign
Minister Teodor Melescanu is today taking part in the round of election on the
sidelines of the UN Security Council, where Romania is running for a
non-permanent seat in the 2020-2021 tenure. The UN General Assembly is today
electing by secret vote the five new non-permanent members of the Security
Council. The Security Council consists of 15 member countries and is the
strongest UN body and the only one to sanction warfare actions at global level.
It comprises five permanent members with veto rights: the United States,
Russia, China, France and Great Britain, and another 10 members elected for two
years and who are replaced by countries from the same geographic region upon
the expiry of their term in office. Next year another 5 members will be
elected, two from Africa, one from the Asia-Pacific region, one from Latin
America and the Caribbean and one from Eastern Europe. To earn a seat in the UN
Security Council, a country must gather the support of two thirds of General
Assembly members, tantamount to 129 of the total 193 votes in the General
Assembly.

BREXIT -
Theresa May is today expected to officially resign as leader of the
Conservative Party and as British Prime Minister after her failure to persuade
the Chamber of Commons to vote the Brexit agreement with the European Union,
which led to postponing Brexit until October 31. May will continue to serve as
Prime Minister until her replacement is appointed by the end of July, the
Conservative Party has announced. The official campaign for appointing a new
Prime Minister will start on Monday. A total of 11 Conservative candidates are
vying to become UK’s next Prime Minister.

FOOTBALL – Romania’s national
football team is today playing Norway away from home in the 2020 European
Championship preliminaries. On Monday, Romania will play Malta, also away from
home. In the first two games in March, Romania lost to Sweden 1-2 away from
home and won 4-1 against the Faeroe Islands at home. The first two teams in
each group will advance to the final tournament. The draw for the 2020
championship will take place in Bucharest on November 30. Romania’s capital
city will host four matches, three in the group phase and one in the round of
16. We recall Romania’s under-21 team will this month play in the European
Under-21 Championship in Italy and San Marino in Group C, alongside England,
France and Croatia.
(Translated by V. Palcu)

7 June 2019
May 10, 2018

DIPLOMACY – The Romanian Foreign Ministry is confident that diplomatic efforts will continue towards a real progress and a final and sustainable solution to the Iranian file, reads a communiqué issued by the Ministry. Also, the document states that Romania will keep collaborating with the international community and the US, its main strategic partner, to properly manage the cases concerning nuclear programmes. Bucharests reaction comes after Washington decided to pull out from the nuclear agreement with Iran, against the background of a negative view of the US Administration regarding the policies promoted by Iran and the lack of real guarantees regarding regional policy and the development of its ballistic programme. The historic agreement was concluded in 2015, after 12 years of crisis and 21 months of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, Russia, China France and Great Britain), plus Germany. The document provides for a limitation of the Iranian nuclear programme in exchange for lifting international sanctions. The EU has deeply regretted the USs decision to withdraw from the agreement.

ROYALTY DAY – May 10th marks three major events in the Romanian history: the beginning of the rule of Carol I, state independence and the coronation of the first king of Romania. The events dedicated to Royalty Day started with a marathon and a military ceremony at the statue of King Carol I, honoring the memory of the founder of the national dynasty and of the Romanian state. Guests from across the country and also from the neighboring Republic of Moldova are expected at the Elisabeta Palace this afternoon to attend the already famous Garden Party. The day will end with the opening of the exhibition titled May 10th, Royalty Day”, organized under the auspices of the Royal House of Romania. The last king of Romania, Michael I, died last year, on December 5th, aged 96. He died in Switzerland, but he was buried on December 16th in Curtea de Arges in Romania, which is also the final resting place for his wife Queen Anne and the other three sovereigns of Romania.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT – The Constitutional Court of Romania is today debating the notification filed by Romanias President Klaus Iohannis regarding the law that clears all interdictions applied to MPs in the 2007-2013 period for conflict of interests. The head of state believes that the law lacks clarity and predictability. He has drawn attention to the fact that by removing these interdictions, the stability of the legislative framework is affected with regard to integrity and the law runs counter to the commitments made by Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. We recall that under this mechanism, the European Commission has been monitoring the Romanian judiciary ever since the countrys EU accession in 2007.

CORRUPTION – The High Court of Cassation and Justice might rule today on the Rovinari-Turceni case, in which the former prime-minister and Social Democratic leader Victor Ponta has been tried for forgery, accessory to tax evasion and money laundering, committed while he was a lawyer. The National Anticorruption Directorate has called for a sentence of imprisonment, and the High Court has so far postponed five times a ruling. Also on trial in the same case is the former Transport Minister and Social Democratic Senator Dan Sova, for accessory to influence peddling, forgery, aggravated tax evasion and money laundering. Prosecutors say that Victor Ponta, through his private practice, got from another law firm, Sova and Associates, the amount of 39,000 Euros for an alleged cooperation, which has not happened in reality. The aim was apparently to award Victor Ponta for the contracts that Sova and Associates concluded with the state-owned energy companies, says the Anticorruption Directorate.

EUROVISION – The band The Humans is representing Romania at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Lisbon with a song titled Goodbye. This evening the band will perform in the second semi-final of the contest, alongside soloists and bands from another 17 countries. 19 countries were represented in the first semi-final held on Tuesday, of which 10 have qualified for the final. Besides Portugal, which is the host country, the so called Eurovision Big Five (Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain and Spain) have qualified straight into the big final due on Saturday. Last year, Portugal won with a song titled Amar pelos dois, performed by Salvador Sobral.

TENNIS – The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, no.1 in the WTA rankings, is today playing against the Czech Karolina Pliskova, no.6 in the WTA classification, in the quarter finals of the WTA tournament in Madrid, with 6.7 million Euro in prize money. The two players have met seven times before, and the Romanian has won six times. Karolinas only success was at the 2016 Fed Cup. Simona Halep has won the latest two editions of the tournament hosted by the Spanish capital.

10 May 2018
April 9, 2018

EASTER — Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Christians in Romania on Monday celebrated the second day of Easter and a new day in Easter Week, which follows the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day people attend mass while priests’ vestments are white. The first day of this week is believed to be the day when the gates of heaven are open and all sins are forgiven. People who die on this day go straight to Heaven without undergoing the Last Judgment. Psalms are not recited on this day, while funeral services are replaced by Resurrection mass.

EURO — The National Commission for the switch to the euro will convene on Thursday in its first session. Talks will focus on convergence criteria for adopting the European single currency. Two weeks ago Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced the setup of the commission, whose role is to prepare the roadmap for Romania joining the Eurozone, as well as the necessary actions to prepare the Romanian economy and society for this move.

ELECTION — Viktor Orban has secured a new term as Prime Minister after his party Fidesz won the parliamentary elections in Hungary by a landslide. The right-wing nationalist politician says the result will ensure the security of Hungary. Orban’s party grabbed nearly half of the vote and will hold two thirds of the seats in Parliament. The nationalist Jobbik party won 26 seats, while Hungarian socialists won 20 seats. The Democratic Coalition led by former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsnay could win 9 seats, while the ecologist LMP party will get 8 seats. The Together party won one seat while an independent and a representative of the German minority will each get one seat. The final results will be made public at the end of the week. On Monday, the leader of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Kelemen Hunor, congratulated Viktor Orban on his win.

MARCH — The “Eudoxiu Hurmuzachi” Institute for Romanians Worldwide, an institution subordinated to the Ministry for Romanians Worldwide, in cooperation with the Lauder-Reut Educational Complex, is organizing “The March of Holocaust Survivors — Let’s Learn Together”, held over April 9-13 in Poland. Taking part in the event are young people from 52 countries. The march has an educational purpose, aimed at familiarizing participants with a tragic chapter in world history. Romania’s delegation is made up of students and teachers from the Lauder-Reut school in Bucharest, but also from the Republic of Moldova. The project is part of the IEH-led program “Caravan of Romanian Identity”, which involves a series of cultural actions, aimed at promoting Romanian culture and consolidating Romania national identity. The project is also part of the Romanian Cultural Space strategic programme devoted to the celebration of one hundred years since the Great Union of 1918.

AIRPORT — A few dozen Romanians were left stranded on Sunday on Ciampino Airport in Rome, after Ryanair canceled its flight to Bucharest. Some of the passengers were rescheduled for flights on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Those who accepted to change their flight schedule will receive accommodation for just one night. Others bought tickets with other flight operators at double or triple the price. Ryanair has cancelled flights in the past without providing too many explanations.

SYRIA — The UN Security Council is today convening at the request of Russia and the United States after Syria was the target of a chemical attack. 70 people were killed on Sunday in the Syrian city of Douma, Reuters reports. The Security Council must immediately demand access to the site of the attack in order to carry out an independent investigation to ascertain what happened and to hold accountable the people who perpetrated this terrible attack, the US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. The US official last month warned that unless the Security Council took concrete action against Syria, Washington is prepared to act and might launch a new attack on the region.

BOOK FAIR — The 47th edition of the International Book Fair in London will take place over April 10-12. Romania’s participation in the fair is under the aegis of the Romanian Cultural Institute. Under the heading “Writing and Making History: Remembering the Great War Generation”, events organized at Romania’s pavilion are first of all evoking Romania’s participation in the first world war and the Great Union by means of literary and artistic echoes of these two crucial moments in history.

(Translated by V. Palcu)

9 April 2018
January 5, 2018

MAGISTRACY — Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis earlier today criticized the procedure whereby the justice laws were adopted, expressing hope the laws will be improved and that Constitutional Court judges will analyze them proficiently and objectively. The statement was made on the sidelines of the meeting of the Superior Council of Magistracy. We recall the recent modifications to the justice laws have been challenged both in Parliament by opposition parties as well as in the street by civil society, as well as by some magistrates. The three laws referring to the statute of magistrates, judicial organization and the functioning of the Superior Council of Magistracy have been referred to the Constitutional Court by the National Liberal Party and the High Court of Cassation and Justice. The opposition believes the laws go against the Constitution and generate confusion. The most controversial points refer to the material accountability of magistrates, the setup of a special unit within the Prosecutor General’s Office charged with investigating justice-related crimes and the statute of the Judicial Inspection Corps. The meeting will occasion the election of the president and vice-president of the Council and a review of the institution’s activity in 2017.

HEARING — Romanian Health Minister Florian Bodog was deposed on Thursday by the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism as witness in the case where a reputed urosurgeon, Mihai Lucan, is accused of embezzlement. Cluj Mayor Emil Boc was subpoenaed in the same case. Both Florian Bodog and Emil Boc have denied any involvement in the case.

FRONTEX — Romania contributed three maritime patrol ships to FRONTEX operations aimed at supporting Greek authorities to monitor and control the EU’s external borders throughout 2017. Consisting of six crews totaling 150 border police officers, the Romanian border police vessels carried out patrol, surveillance and rescue operations in the Aegean Sea, both individually and in cooperation with the crews of the other ships deployed by EU Member States to Greece. During the operations the crews completed hundreds of missions and took part in over 20 rescue operations at sea, helping save some 1,800 people, mostly women and children, who were subsequently safely transported to shore. The last crew, made up of 26 officers of the Romanian Border Police, onboard the MAI 1104 patrol ship, returned to the port of Constanta on Thursday.

VISIT — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today announced that at the end of next week he would visit several countries from Eastern Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This will be the first visit of a Japanese Prime Minister to this region, Kyodo news agency reports. “I will expand the borders of Japanese diplomacy, while at the same time asserting our close coordination in connection to North Korea and other pressing issues facing the international community”,. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY — The Executive Committee of the Social-Democratic Party, the main ruling coalition party in Romania, will most likely convene on Monday, sources within the party have told the press. Ranking high on the agenda is appointing a new Minister of Waters and Forests, after this Wednesday Doina Pana stepped down due to health reasons. According to the aforementioned sources, the Committee might also discuss a new Government reshuffle. The meeting will be held amidst speculations over the strained relations between Social-Democrat Leader Liviu Dragnea and Prime Minister Mihai Tudose.

TOURISM — The number of bookings with Romania’s tourist accommodation units has gone up by 6.2% in the first 11 months of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016, totaling 25 million, reads a recent survey published today by the National Statistics Institute. Arrivals in Romania reached 11 million, up by 10.4%. Romanians accounted for nearly 80% of total accommodations, as compared to foreign tourists representing 20%. With a 73% share, most tourists came from Europe, while 85% of these were citizens of EU Member states.

STUDENTS — Romania’s top-performing students who graduated with high scores in universities abroad were rewarded on Thursday as part of the Gala of Romanian Students Abroad. In the “Europa University” section the first prize went to Claudia Mitrofan, a student at Cambridge University in Great Britain. Maria Bostenaru of Karlshrue University in Germany won the award for best post-grad student, while Raluca Andreea Manea, a student at Caroline University in Prague, grabbed the award for best Erasmus student. Diana Beatrix Velicu of “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest was designated the best student in a higher education unit in Romania.

UN — The UN’s Security Council will tonight meet to discuss the developments in Iran. The meeting has already been criticized by Russia, who considers the situation in Iran is of no concern to the UN. US Ambassador Nikki Haley earlier last week said she would call for a top-level meeting as a sign of support for the Iranian protesters. Over 20 people were killed in Mashhad since the start of anti-regime protests which have swept the entire country. Hundreds were arrested in Tehran and in other cities.

MEETING — French President Emmanuel Macron is today meeting his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Paris. Talks will focus on Syria, the developments in Europe and human rights in Turkey. This is Erdogan’s most important visit to an EU country after the failed coup of July 2016. The scope of Turkey’s post-coup crackdown has prompted harsh criticism in Europe, particularly in Berlin, thus suspending negotiations over Turkey’s bid to join the community bloc. Over 140,000 people were sacked and suspended, 55,000 arrested, including university teachers, journalists and pro-Kurdish militants. In early September, 2017, German Chancellor Angela Merkel argued in favor of scrapping accession talks, while the French President, Emmanuel Macron, said the EU must avoid any break in relations with Turkey as an “essential” partner on migration and terror issues.

HANDBALL — The Romanian men’s handball side on Friday is facing Bahrain in Calarasi, in the south, in the semi-finals of the Carpati Trophy. Tunisia is facing Portugal in the other semi-final. On Saturday, the losing teams will play the third-place play-off, while the winners will play for the trophy. The Romanian players, who are coached by the Spanish manager Xavier Pascual, are also training for the first round of the 2019 World Championship preliminary matches to take place over January 11-13 in Bolzano, Italy, where they face Ukraine and the Faeroe Islands, as well as the host country. Only the winners of the six preliminary groups qualify for the World Championship play-offs in June this year.

TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, the world’s no. 1 player, today qualified to the finals of the WTA tournament in Shenzhen, China, totaling over 600 thousand dollars in prize money, after defeating another Romanian, Irina Begu, 6-1, 6-4. This is the second time Halep reaches the final, after in 2015 she won the trophy. In the final Halep will play the defending champion, Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, who defeated Maria Sharapova of Russia in the other semi-final, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Later today Halep and Begu will team up to face Ana Blinkova of Russia and Nicola Geuer of Germany in the women’s doubles semi-finals. (Translated by V. Palcu)

5 January 2018
September 5, 2017

Economic growth — Romanian’s Gross Domestic Product went up by 5.8% in the first half of the year as against the same period of 2016, Romania’s National Statistic Institute has announced. All economic sectors have contributed to the growth, except for constructions. Industry, trade, transportation, tourism and the IT&C sectors have contributed most to the growth. According to Romanian PM Mihai Tudose, the 5.8% economic growth rate, the biggest in Europe, is the best indicator of how the country’s real economy stands.

North Korea – The UN Security Council is this week discussing a resolution in response to North Korea’s having conducted a nuclear test at the end of last week, its sixth so far. North Korea said its test of what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile was “a perfect success.” The UN Security Council strongly condemned North Koreas “outrageous” test, saying is “deliberately undermining regional peace and stability”. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was “begging for war” as she urged the UN Security Council to adopt the strongest sanctions possible to stop Pyongyangs nuclear program. Speaking at a Security Council emergency meeting, Nikki Haley said North Koreas sixth nuclear test was a clear sign that “the time for half measures” from the UN had to end. The Council will take a decision on Monday.

Enescu Festival — The “George Enescu” International Festival, one of the most prestigious music events in Europe, continues in Bucharest. The Russian National Orchestra is today holding a concert as part of the Great Orchestras of the World series. Also today, soloist Madalina Pasol is performing alongside Radio Romania’s Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of Tiberiu Oprea. For 3 weeks, 80 concerts and other events will bring more than 3,000 of the best international artists to Bucharest and 7 other major Romanian cities. Radio Romania is the only media institution in the country to broadcast the concerts live, on its channels Radio Romania Music and Radio Romania Culture. First organised in 1958, 3 years after the famed Romanian composer had died, the George Enescu Festival was discontinued in 1971 by the communist regime, and was resumed in 1989. It has been held every 2 years ever since.

US Open — Romania only has one player left at US Open, the last grand slam of the year. Horia Tecau is today playing in the quarterfinals in both the men’s doubles alongside Jean Julien Rojer and in the mixed doubles alongside the American Coco Vandeweghe. On Monday Romanian Monica Niculescu and Wei Hsieh of Taiwan failed to qualify to the women’s doubles quarterfinals.

Football –Romania’s national football team was defeated by Montenegro on Monday 1-0 in Podgorica, in Group E of the World Cup qualifiers, losing any chance to qualify to the final tournament in Russia. Romania ranks fourth in the group, after Poland, Denmark and Montenegro. Romania’s next fixture against Kazakhstan will be held on home turf in the town of Ploiesti on October 5th while the one against Denmark will be held on November 8th in Copenhagen. The manager of the Romanian national team, the German Christoph Daum, has been strongly criticised for the team’s poor results.

(Translated by Elena Enache)

5 September 2017
August 30, 2017 UPDATE

ROMANIAN DIPLOMACY – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday presented in Bucharest the objectives of Romanias foreign policy, during a meeting with the heads of the Romanian diplomatic missions and general consuls abroad, occasioned by the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy. The Romanian president has called on them to get involved in the effort to address the problems the EU is currently facing, including Brexit. Just like in the past years, deepening the Strategic Partnership with the US continues to be a priority of Romanias foreign policy, especially in the context of Junes visit to Washington by Klaus Iohannis and of the talks he held with the U.S. President Donald Trump. Romania will further plead for a strong transatlantic relation within NATO, the head of state has also said. He has given assurances that, to Romania, further integration at EU level continues to be a major objective. At the same time, switching to the Single European Currency and joining the Schengen Area will be significant steps forward to strengthen Romanias role at European level, Klaus Iohannis has also underlined.

MAINTENANCE CENTRE – Romania will set up a maintenance centre at Aerostar Bacau, in the east, for the F16 fighters made in the US and purchased from Portugal. PM Mihai Tudose on Wednesday signed an agreement with Jonathan Hoyle, the vice-president of Lockheed Martin, for the transfer of state of the art technology for this type of aircraft. The defence minister Adrian Tutuianu and heads of military structures involved in the purchasing of military technology met on Tuesday with a delegation of Lockheed Martin, the American company specialised in the research, development, production and integration of state of the art technology in the military field, which has come up with proposals of cooperation with the national defence industry. The 2017-2026 Romanian Army Endowment Plan has been approved by Romanias Supreme Defence Council, with 9.8 billion Euros worth of funds having been earmarked for the eight programs. We recall that Romania has signed a contract for the purchase of 16 F16 fighters and minister Adrian Tutuianu has made public the intention to purchase 36 other fighters in the following years.

JUSTICE – The draft aimed at amending the justice laws was sent to the Higher Council of Magistracy on Wednesday, the line minister Tudorel Toader has announced. He has added the document has not been sent to prosecutors offices. Earlier, the National Anti-corruption Directorate, DNA, has said the draft is a form of pressure exerted on the professional activity of prosecutors and Romanias Prosecutor General, Augustin Lazar, has said the prospective adoption of the draft would impact the independence of magistrates and the functioning of judicial institutions. According to the amendments envisaged by minister Toader, the countrys president will be eliminated from the process of nominating chief prosecutors and the judicial inspection unit will be subordinated to the Justice Ministry.

MISSILE TEST – The UN Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea for having launched a missile that passed above the Hokkaido Island, in northern Japan. The 15 members of the UN Security Council said the launch was a revolting act and that it was vital for the regime in Pyongyang to take immediate and concrete actions in order to reduce tension. In the resolution passed, the Security Council called on all countries to apply the UN sanctions against North Korea. Nevertheless Pyongyang has not been threatened with new sanctions. The missile launch was also firmly condemned by Japan, the U.S. and the EU. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between North Korea and the U.S. Washington on Wednesday successfully conducted a missile defense test off the coast of Hawaii and intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile, shows a communiqué of the Missile Defense Agency.

30 August 2017
June 3, 2017 UPDATE

VISIT – On the 4th of June, Romanias president Klaus Iohannis starts a formal visit to the US. On the 9th, Iohannis will meet President Donald Trump, with whom he will talk about means of strenghening the Strategic Partnership, the bilateral ties between the two countries and Romanias firm commitment to remaining one of the USs most reliable partners. Klaus Iohannis has stated that in Washington he will also meet with Romanians settled in the US, calling it a special moment, as always. On the 5th of June, Romanias president will attend the global forum organized by the prestigious American Jewish Committee, where he will be awarded the highest distinction of the organization.

UN – On Friday, Romania officially launched the campaign promoting its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, in 2020-2021. The event was held at the UN headquarters in New York and enjoyed the participation of a large number of diplomats and UN high-ranking officials. The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu, who also attended the event, has stated that a new mandate as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is a strategic commitment and an objective to be pursued by all political parties in Romania. Since its joining the UN in 1995, Romania has had four such mandates.

TIFF 2017– The 16th Transylvania International Film Festival continues in Cluj-Napoca, north-western Romania. King of the Belgians, a comedy written and directed by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth opened the festival on Friday. 12 films have registered for the official competition, but the festival is hosting 255 films from 53 countries, to be screened until June 11. More than 1200 Romanian and foreign guests are attending the many screenings, concerts, workshops, debates and launches included in the programme of the festival, to which Radio Romania is a media partner. This years special guest is the French actor Alain Delon, on his first visit to Romania.

DIASPORA – According to the Romanian Minister for Romanians Abroad Andreea Pastarnac, Romania could follow the Spanish model as regards the fight against domestic violence. At the end of a formal visit to Spain, minister Pastarnac stated she had held talks on the issue with representatives of the Spanish Interior Ministry. According to the Radio Romania correspondent in Spain, Andreea Pastarnac has also stated that most Romanians living in Spain have integrated into the labour market, so the rate of unemployment in the community is below the countrys average.

NOBLE JUMP 2017 – A 50 strong Norwegian contingent has come to Romania to take part in the international exercise Noble Jump 2017, at the Cincu shooting range in Brasov County, central Romania. Also participating are 8 NATO convoys, comprising some 300 military staff and 150 combat vehicles and carriers. In total, 4000 military staff from Romania and another 11 NATO member countries are taking part in the exercise, which is unfolding on Romanian, Greek and Bulgarian soil. This is the largest NATO exercise this year.

TENNIS – The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, ranking 4th in the WTA classification, on Saturday defeated the Russian Daria Kasatknina 6-0, 7-5 in the third round of the Roland Garros tournament, with 16 million Euros in prize money. In the second round, Halep clinched a two-set win against Tatjana Maria of Germany. In the womens doubles, the Romanian Irina Begu and her Chinese partner Saisai Zheng defeated the pair made up of Abigal Spears of the US and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 2-1. In the mens doubles, the Romanian-Dutch pair made up of Horia Tecau and Jean Julien Rojer lost to the Croatian – Spanish pair Ivan Dodig / Marcel Granollers.

3 June 2017
June 3, 2017

UN – On Friday, Romania officially launched the campaign promoting its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, in 2020-2021. The event was held at the UN headquarters in New York and enjoyed the participation of a large number of diplomats and UN high-ranking officials. The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu, who also attended the event, has stated that a new mandate as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is a strategic commitment and an objective to be pursued by all political parties in Romania. Since its joining the UN in 1995, Romania has had four such mandates.

TIFF 2017 – The 16th Transylvania International Film Festival continues in Cluj-Napoca, north-western Romania. King of the Belgians, a comedy written and directed by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth opened the festival on Friday. 12 films have registered for the official competition, but the festival is hosting 255 films from 53 countries, to be screened until June 11. More than 1200 Romanian and foreign guests are attending the many screenings, concerts, workshops, debates and launches included in the programme of the festival, to which Radio Romania is a media partner. This years special guest is the French actor Alain Delon, on his first visit to Romania.

MALTA – Early elections are underway in Malta today, which will decide the fate of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, whose record at the helm of the Government includes both economic growth and corruption scandals, France Presse reports. The latest opinion polls have shown that Muscat, who is the leader of the Labour Party, might win, but with a much lower share than in the parliament elected four years ago, now approaching the end of its term. His opponent Simon Busuttil, the leader of the Nationalist Party, counts on a victory too, after four years of labour rule, shadowed by the famous Panama Papers scandal. Malta, the smallest member of the EU, with a population of 430,000 people, is currently holding the rotating presidency of the Union.

NOBLE JUMP 2017 – A 50 strong Norwegian contingent has come to Romania to take part in the international exercise Noble Jump 2017 , at the Cincu shooting range in Brasov County, central Romania. Also participating are 8 NATO convoys, comprising some 300 military staff and 150 combat vehicles and carriers. In total, 4000 military staff from Romania and another 11 NATO member countries are taking part in the exercise, which is unfolding on Romanian, Greek and Bulgarian soil. This is the largest NATO exercise this year.

JUDO – 52 Romanian athletes, 34 men and 18 women, are participating in the European Judo Open hosted by the Romanian capital as of today. Unfortunately, the Romanian champion Andreea Chitu cannot attend, because of an injury. The big hope this year is Monica Ungureanu, in the 48 kg category, a bronze winner at the 2016 and 2017 European Championships. This is the most important judo competition hosted by Romania, with 438 athletes from 31 countries participating.

3 June 2017
May 31, 2017

VISIT Romania’s Foreign
Minister Teodor Melescanu is in New York until Saturday to formally launch a
campaign of promoting Romania’s candidacy for a mandate as a non-permanent
member of the UN Security Council over 2020 and 2021. According to the Foreign
Ministry, the campaign will unfold under the motto ‘Romania: a lasting
commitment to Peace, Justice and Development’, and represents Bucharest’s
ambitious foreign policy objective. In 2006, Romania filed a candidacy for a
new mandate as a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council. The voting is
due to take place in June 2019. Ever since its UN accession in 1955, Romania
has had four mandates of this kind.

TALKS The government is
today holding talks on a document over the reconfirmation of Romania’s
candidacy to host the headquarters of the European Medicines Agency, after the
Brexit. The institution has almost 900 employees who are monitoring the safety
of the medicines sold in the European Union, a market of over 500 million
consumers. After Britain’s leaving the bloc, the European Commission has to
move the headquarters of this agency from London to another member country and
Romania is among the candidates together with Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

UNEMPLOYMENT Romania’s
unemployment rate in April 2017 stayed at the same level as in the previous
month, 5.3%. The number of jobless men was 1.3% higher than the women, the
National Institute for Statistics has announced today. The number of unemployed
with ages between 15 and 74, estimated for April, was 471 thousand, 7 thousand
less than in March. They account for over 74% out of the total number of
unemployed estimated for last month.

MINISTER Romania’s
Minister delegate for European Affairs, Ana Birchall, currently on a working
visit in the Hague is today having talks with Foreign Minister Bert Koenders
and members of the Parliament committees in charge of the European affairs in
the Netherlands and in the European Parliament. According to the Foreign
Ministry in Bucharest, Minister Birchall’s agenda includes high topical
European issues, such as stakes and expectations related to the Brexit talks
and Romania’s preparation to take over the rotating presidency of the EU
Council in the first semester of 2019. On June 1st Ana Birchall will
be in Brussels for talks with Jean-Eric Paquet, deputy Secretary General of the
European Commission.

ATTACK Scores have been killed and
hundreds wounded in a car bomb attack in Kabul’s diplomatic district, the
Afghan Interior Ministry has announced. The district is home to numerous
foreign embassies, ministries and the presidential palace. The most affected
seem to be the embassies of Germany and France in Kabul. No group has claimed
responsibility for the attack yet. Pentagon chief, Jim Mattis has
recently said (quote) 2017 is going to be another tough year for the valiant
Afghan forces and the international troops who have stood and will continue to
stand shoulder to shoulder with Afghanistan against terrorism and against those
who seek to undermine the legitimate United Nations-recognized government of
this nation. (unquote)

VISIT The heir apparent
of the British crown, Prince Charles of Wales, is in the UNESCO village of
Viscri, central Romania, to meet forestry experts and small farmers. According
to a communiqué of the British embassy in Bucharest, Prince Charles has met
members of the Pro Silva, a European organisation, which supports a responsible
forestry management and which is to also open a branch in Romania. In the past
years Prince Charles voiced concern about the illegal exploitation and
deforestation of Romania’s forests believed to be Europe’s last wildlife area.
Prince Charles has also met several organic food producers. Prince of Wales
foundation Romania will be launching a new project to assist farmers in the
mountainous areas in developing their products and accessing fresh markets in
Romania or abroad. Prince Charles has a keen interest in Romania, a country he
has visited several times over the past 20 years.

31 May 2017