EUROPE DAY – Military
ceremonies, laying of flowers, exhibitions and film screenings were held around
the country on Monday to mark Romania’s National Independence Day, the Victory
of the United Nations Coalition in WWII and Europe Day, all three of which are
celebrated every year on May 9. The European Commission representation in
Romania launched a communication campaign entitled Faces of European
Solidarity and consisting in an exhibition of photographs documenting
Romanians’ solidarity with the people who fled Ukraine following the Russian
invasion and the care and warmth with which they were received by the Romanians
near the border areas, at refugee centers and in their homes. Europe must
become stronger, more vocal, more capable and better prepared, said Romania’s
president Klaus Iohannis in a Europe Day statement.
VICTORY DAY -
Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday said his army is fighting in Ukraine
to defend the fatherland against an unacceptable threat posed by the
neighboring country supported by the West. Putin told the crowds attending the
military parade in Moscow that he ordered the special operation in Ukraine
because the Ukrainian authorities were preparing an attack against pro-Russian
separatists in the east, because they wanted to develop nuclear weapons and
bring NATO to Russia’s doorstep. No foreign leader attended the festivities in
Moscow, which marked the victory of the Soviet Union against Nazi Germany in
WWII. In Kyiv, president Volodymyr Zelensky said that evil has returned to
Europe, in a different form, under different slogans, but for the same
purpose, comparing the Russian invasion to the 1941 Nazi invasion.
REFUGEES – The
way in which Romania received refugees from Ukraine is a strong argument
proving our country is already acting as a member of Schengen, Foreign Minister
Bogdan Aurescu said on Monday in the opening of the debate 15 years since
Romania’s EU accession – Romania’s contribution to the EU and its role in
consolidating the Union. Minister Aurescu said citizens’ involvement in
helping the refugees is a clear expression of Romanians’ genuine European
spirit. Since the start of the conflict, Romania has provided direct support
to over 927 thousand Ukrainian refugees, of whom over 89,000 chose to stay in
Romania. On Monday, the Border Police announced that nearly 7,700 Ukrainian
citizens entered the country in the last 24 hours, down by 15% compared to the
previous day.
PRESIDENCY – On
Europe Day, president Klaus Iohannis selected two projects which will take
place this year under the high patronage of the Romanian Presidency, designed
to strengthen the unity of history, language, culture and European aspirations
between Romania and the Republic of Moldova -a the Bookfest International Fair
and the Meeting of Romanian Theatres. In 2022, Bookfest will take place over
August 31 – September 4, and is meant to promote reading and Romanian
literature in the Republic of Moldova. In turn, the Meeting of Romanian
Theatres will take place over September 15-25. The two events are also held
under the high patronage of the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
DNA – The National Anticorruption
Directorate (DNA) announced 39 final sentences were passed in March against 86
defendants in corruption cases, including giving and taking bribe, peddling in
influence and fraud involving European funds. Sentences vary between 7 years
and 8 months in prison and fines amounting to the equivalent in lei of 3,000 Euro.
WTA – Poland’s Iga Swiatek comfortably leads the WTA ranking published on
Monday, followed by Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and Spain’s Paula
Badosa. Former world no. 1 Simona Halep remains the highest-ranked Romanian
tennis player, at no. 20. Romania has five other players in the top 100: Sorana
Cîrstea, at no. 26, Gabriela Ruse at no. 57, Irina Begu at no. 63, Jaqueline
Cristian at no. 70 and Ana Bogdan at no. 95. In the women’s doubles ranking,
Monica Niculescu is the highest-ranked Romanian, at no. 42, as Raluca Olaru
drops six places to no. 49. Irina Begu is at no. 47, Irina Bara at no. 62 and Gabriela
Ruse at no. 93. (CM & VP)