REACTIONS – The opposition parties in the Bucharest Parliament, which had initiated the procedure to impeach outgoing President Klaus Iohannis, welcomed the latter’s decision to resign. MP Dan Tanasa, with the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) said that Iohannis was in office illegally and that the Romanians no longer wanted him. Also from the opposition, the head of the Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, said that the president’s resignation does not offer answers regarding the annulment of last year’s election and that, thorough changes are further needed in the relation between citizens and the state institutions. Representing the governing coalition, the Liberal mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Boc, said that resignation is preferable to impeachment, which would have complicated both the domestic political scene and Romania’s credibility abroad. The Social Democratic mayor of Craiova, Olguţa Vasilescu, pointed out that, as regards the presidential elections, the ruling coalition’s candidate continues to be the former Liberal leader Crin Antonescu. The latter said that Klaus Iohannis’ resignation was a wise decision as it pre-empted the impeachment bid and a referendum. Senate speaker Ilie Bolojan, head of the Liberal Party, a member of the ruling coalition, will take over as interim president with limited powers until the election.
Author: Elena Enache
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Hollywood stars with Romanian roots
Few people know that some of the Hollywood actors who became famous worldwide have Romanian origins.
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Contemporary Romanian Painters
One of the most celebrated painters of his generation, the Romanian Adrian Ghenie reconfigures, in his works, personal memories, art historical references, film stills and visual media.
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The New Year Across the World
The New Year is celebrated with big parties and fireworks all over the world. Apart from these similarities, there are also very specific ways in which nations all over the globe have been marking the end of one year and the beginning of the other.
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December 18, 2024
A roundup of local and international news.
RATING – Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Romania’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Negative from Stable, meaning a further downgrade is possible, the rating agency said in a statement. According to Fitch, the assessment reflects the major risks Romania faces due to additional political tensions on the political scene after the cancellation of the presidential elections due to external interference, as well as the parliamentary elections that resulted in a more divided Parliament, with a rise in the far right and anti-EU parties, reflecting the increased polarization of Romanian society. The Fitch outlook, which measures a Government’s ability to fulfill its financial obligations, could lead to an increase in interest rates for the loans that the Government plans to take out from the foreign market.
SUMMIT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is participating, today and Thursday, in Brussels, in the EU – Western Balkans Summit and the European Council meeting. On Thursday, the European Council agenda will include topics such as Ukraine, migration, the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s civil and military preparedness and response to crises, the EU’s role in the world and the enlargement of the Union, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and issues related to freedom, security and justice.
PARLIAMENT – A reception center for the newly elected senators and deputies is open as of today until Friday at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest. The new MPs are being guided, these days, through the formalities needed in order to take over their mandates. The new Parliament resulting from the legislative elections of December 1 was convened, on Friday, for its constituent session. In the meantime, the first clear results are emerging after almost a week and a half of negotiations between the parties that want to form the future Parliament majority. PSD, PNL, UDMR and the national minorities other than the Hungarian one have presented the main directions of a 4-year governing program. After tensions in recent days, it is not yet known whether the USR will also be part of the future government.
COMMEMORATION – In Timişoara, events dedicated to the anti-communist Revolution of December ’89 continue today. Tuesday, the city in western Romania was a day of mourning in memory of those killed at the outbreak of the Revolution. After the bloody repression of the uprising on December 17, the large factories went on strike, and the workers gathered in the city center. On December 20, Timişoara became the first Romanian city free from communism and from here the flame of the Revolution spread throughout the country, to culminate, on the 22nd, in Bucharest, with dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife, trying to escape.
INVESTIGATION – The European Commission has launched an official investigation into TikTok, for Russia’s interference in the Romanian presidential elections. The EC is collecting data to determine whether the platform violated EU law. Among other things, the risks to civic discourse or paid political advertising and content are being investigated. On the other hand, the leadership of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee condemned Russian interference and the role of TikTok, a Chinese-controlled platform, in destabilizing the democratic process in Romania.
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October 10, 2024 UPDATE
STOCKHOLM – The Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to the South Korean author Han Kang. Last year, the Norwegian writer Jon Fosse was awarded with the high distinction for his innovative plays and prose, which give voice to the unspoken. The Nobel Prize for Literature rewards the most valuable works of all literary genres, from poetry, short story, novel, to plays, essays or speeches. In 2009, the Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to the Romanian-born German writer Herta Müller.
CORRUPTION – The Liberal MP Nelu Tătaru, a doctor and former Minister of Health, is under investigation, on charges of bribe taking. According to prosecutors, between April 3 and July 12, 2024, as a doctor at the hospital in Huși, he allegedly received sums of money between 100 and 500 lei as bribes, as well as foodstuffs, from 45 people, patients and relatives, for surgical interventions, patient consultations, or to issue medical prescriptions. Also, a criminal investigation is conducted in the case another 27 persons suspected of bribe taking, prosecutors announced. According to Romanian law, parliamentarians can be investigated, charged and sent to court for breaking the law, but parliamentary immunity prevents investigators from conducting searches or detaining them, without an opinion from the House of which they belong. Nelu Tătaru was Minister of Health from March to December 2020, the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic. As a result of the investigation, Liberal president Nicolae Ciucă announced that Nelu Tătaru was dismissed from the management of the Vaslui branch of the party and from the leadership of the Health Commission in the Chamber of Deputies.
MOLDOVA – The Republic of Moldova will benefit a financial support package worth 1.8 billion euros in the next three years, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday. The Plan, which is the largest EU financial support package since Moldova’s independence, will boost Moldova’s economy, bring the country closer to EU membership by accelerating reforms and provide significant financial assistance. The Moldova Growth Plan has the potential of doubling the size of the country’s economy in a decade, the European official also said. Investments in schools, hospitals, the development of infrastructure and energy interconnection with Romania and the EU, access facilities to the single European market, but also support in carrying out reforms are the essential elements of the announced plan, Ursula von der Leyen explained. President Maia Sandu thanked for the support offered by the EU to the Republic of Moldova, in recent years, in complicated moments, such as the pandemic crisis or the increase in energy bills following the crisis generated by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
MEETING – The Romanian Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, in Sarajevo. The discussion agenda included topics regarding the strengthening of cooperation in the field of regional security, with an emphasis on the EUFOR Althea mission, in which Romania assumed a significant role. The bilateral defense cooperation agreement, signed in June 2024, was another important topic on the agenda of the two ministers’ discussions. The document establishes the framework for the deepening of military collaboration between the two states, including aspects of joint training, exchange of experience and logistical support.
DIPLOMACY – The head of the diplomatic representation of Romania in Rome, Gabriela Dancău, was designated “Ambassador of the year 2024” in Italy by the publication Gazzetta Diplomatica. The prize is awarded annually in memory of the Italian ambassador Giovanni Giannuzzi. The director of the newspaper, Marco Finelli, said that the Romanian diplomat received numerous votes from ambassadors, Italian parliamentarians, representatives of the business environment and the press. He specified that the ambassador carried out “a high-level and very important activity”. The award ceremony will take place on November 14, at the Rome City Hall.
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July 29, 2024
ANTHEM DAY – President Klaus Iohannis has today conveyed a message on National Anthem Day, saying that this is ‘a good opportunity to reaffirm our generation’s collective commitment to further developing Romania’. Iohannis also said that the national anthem “expresses the unity of our nation and defines not only the important moments in history, but especially the fulfilment of the ideals that we have assumed over time – ensuring freedom and sovereignty, establishing democracy and the state of law, Romania’s EU and NATO membership.’ National Anthem Day is marked today with military ceremonies in all garrisons in Romania. In Bucharest, the program has included a religious service and a concert performed by the Representative Music of the Ministry of National Defense. Romania’s National Anthem Day was proclaimed in 1998 and is celebrated every year on July 29. “Awaken thee, Romanian!” was composed by Anton Pann and the lyrics were written by the poet Andrei Mureșanu.
SECURITY ALERT – The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) recommends Romanian citizens to avoid any trip to Lebanon, given the recent armed confrontations on the Lebanese-Israeli border. Romanian citizens already in this state are urged to responsibly assess the need to stay in Lebanon, and those in the southern part of the country are strongly advised by the ministry to leave the region immediately. At the same time, the MAE strongly recommends Romanian citizens who are in Lebanon to register their presence at the Romanian Embassy in Beirut. Israeli warplanes struck several Hezbollah targets in northern Lebanon on Saturday night, following the rocket attack that killed 12 people, including children, on a soccer field in the occupied Golan Heights of Israel.
OLYMPICS – Romanian athletes are today competing at the Olympic Games in Paris, in rowing, mountain biking, swimming, tennis and table tennis. Swimmer David Popovici qualified, on Sunday, in the final of the 200 m freestyle event with the best time in the semi-finals, 1:44:53. Popovici (19 years old), double world champion and quadruple European champion, had previously achieved the best time of the series, 1:45:65. He was fourth in the 200m freestyle final three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics. Also on Sunday, Romania qualified for the women’s team final in artistic gymnastics, 12 years after its previous participation. The Romanian men’s water polo team was defeated by the Greek team, 14-7, in their first match in Group A. Romania will play the next match on July 30, against the American team.
UNESCO – The monumental ensemble “The Heroes’ Path” (“Calea Eroilor”) sculpted by Constantin Brâncuşi in Romania and the Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Made by the Romanian sculptor almost 90 years ago, the ensemble is considered by experts as an exceptional work. The Romanian authorities submitted the nomination file as early as January 2018, and a technical evaluation mission took place in Romania last year. The second application accepted by UNESCO concerns Roman fortifications (the so-called Danube Limes) erected along the northern border of the province of Dacia, totaling 277 sites from 16 counties, part of the general defense system of the Roman Empire, the Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia.
CHILDREN – The total number of children in Romania who had both parents working abroad was, at the end of March 2024, 9,039, some 719 less compared to the the previous year, according to data supplied by the National Authority for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Adoption (ANPDCA). Also, the number of children with parents working abroad dropped to 61,007 at the end of March, from 64,936 on December 31, 2023.
FUEL – The average price of a liter of gasoline in Romania increased by 5.1% compared to last month, and the average price of a liter of diesel increased by 4.7%. In Bucharest, a liter of standard gasoline is sold at prices between 7.35 lei and 7.49 lei, and a liter of standard diesel is between 7.44 lei and 7.57 lei (1 euro is the equivalent of around 5 lei). Romania is currently in third place in the European Union among the countries with the cheapest gasoline, after Bulgaria and Malta, and in fourth place in terms of the lowest diesel price, after Bulgaria, Lithuania and Malta. (EE)
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July 22, 2024 UPDATE
DROUGHT – In almost 450 localities in Romania, accounting for 15% of the total, water is supplied with restrictions, against the background of the heat wave that has worsen the drought. In another 250 localities with no running water the wells are dry, the Romanian Waters National Administration has announced. There are no water supply problems for the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. The Romanian Water representatives call on the population to use water rationally, mainly for drinking.
TALKS – The Romanian Minister of the Interior, Cătălin Predoiu, had, on Sunday, a bilateral meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Sandor Pinter, in the context of the Informal Meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council hosted by Budapest. The talks focused on the Schengen issue, organized crime and border-related issues. Sandor Pinter reiterated the Hungarian presidency’s goal to obtain the decision for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area also by land, by the end of 2024. Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two ministers stated that boosting cooperation to combat organized crime, with an emphasis on migrant trafficking, have proven their effectiveness, and the results have been very good. On the other hand, the two agreed on a set of measures to avoid the increase in waiting times at common border crossing points.
MISSION – Two B-52H Stratofortress planes of the US Air Force landed Monday at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, in southeastern Romania, to take part in the Bomber Task Force Europe 24-4 mission. According to a press release from the Office of Public Relations of the American Air Forces in Europe, cited by the United States Embassy in Bucharest, it is the first time that American strategic bombers operate from Romania. The squadron will be integrated with NATO allies and other international partners to pool capabilities and ensure security commitments within the US European Command’s area of responsibility.
DRUG TRAFFICKING – The Romanian Government has supplemented the funds for combating drug trafficking, given that the age of consumption gets younger by the day. The anti-drug expert Cătălin Ţone told Radio Romania that for the first time in the history of the country, a drug-related Roadmap was created, one billion lei (over 200 million euros) were allocated, and the Romanian authorities are making efforts to recruit 200 more police officers and agents into the anti-drug structures. Some 500 actions were carried out by the Romanian Police and the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism to prevent and combat drug trafficking, in the first 6 months of this year. In this interval, 700 kilograms of high-risk drugs, almost 4 tons of marijuana and the same amount of doping substances were seized. Also, over 800 people were arrested and over 150 others were placed under judicial control for trafficking in prohibited substances.
COACH – The Romanian Football Federation announced the end of the collaboration with the national team coach, Edward Iordănescu. According to an official statement, the contract between the two parties expires at the end of the month, and the coach decided not to continue on the national team. Appointed at the beginning of 2022, Edward Iordănescu led the Romanian football team in 28 matches, of which 10 ended in victories and 10 in draws. At the European Football Championship, held this year in Germany, under the leadership of Edward Iordănescu, Romania won Group E, beating Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine. In the first match of EURO 2024, the Romanians achieved a decisive victory against Ukraine, 3-0.
WASHINGTON – The Democratic President of the United States, Joe Biden, has announced that he will no longer run against the Republican Donald Trump in the presidential elections due in November. The announcement was made in a written statement, issued while Biden was in isolation due to COVID-19. The leader of the White House expressed his support for the Democratic Party’s nomination of its vice president, Kamala Harris, as a presidential candidate. Democratic leaders were quick to welcome Joe Biden’s decision to retire, while also praising his political career. Republican candidate Trump has stated that he considers Harris easier to defeat in the election than Biden.
OLYMPICS – Most of Romania’s Olympic team – 82 of the 107 athletes – arrived in Paris on Sunday, for the 32nd edition of the Olympic Games, which will begin on July 26. Rowers Ionela and Marius Cosmiuc, husband and wife, will be the bearers of the country’s flag at the opening ceremony. The competition will end on August 11.
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June 28, 2024
EU – Attending the European Council meeting in Brussels, the Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, emphasized, during the talks on the EU’s Strategic Agenda for the period 2024-2029, that the document must mirror the joint commitment to continue efforts towards a stronger, more resilient and more influential EU. The Romanian head of state emphasized that the new Agenda must highlight the advancement of the enlargement policy, the unity of the Union in terms of support for Ukraine and the importance of cooperation between the EU and NATO. Also in Brussels, the European leaders decided on the top positions in the EU institutions. Ursula von der Leyen was nominated for the presidency of the Commission, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for the position of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, while former Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, will take over the presidency of the European Council.
US ELECTIONS – The Republican Donald Trump’s campaign team claims his victory in Thursday night’s first televised election debate with his contender, the Democratic President Joe Biden. Biden believes, however, that he ‘did well’, while the reactions to his performance are divided even in the democratic camp. The American and international media notes that the debate between the two candidates to the US presidency has been marked by personal attacks, hesitations by Biden and lies told by Trump. Abortion rights, migration, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the assault on the Capitol in January 2021 and the country’s economy were the main topics covered.
LAW – Penalties for slavery and human trafficking can no longer be suspended prison sentences in Romania, under the new law promulgated by President Klaus Iohannis. The document, which takes effect this week, also provides for harsher penalties for such crimes, with sentences going as high as 15 years in prison. In addition, the production, storage, exposure, promotion and distribution of pornographic materials with minors, is punished with 3 to 10 years behind bars.
OSCE – Bucharest hosts, as of Saturday, the 31st annual session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The theme of the summit is the parliamentary perspective on the role of the OSCE in the current security climate. The participants – parliamentarians from over 50 member states of the Organization – will adopt the Bucharest Declaration, a document that will include the resolutions of the general committees and the additional ones initiated by members of the Assembly. Among them will be a resolution regarding the worsening of the human rights situation in the Russian-speaking breakaway region of Trans-Dniester, in the Republic of Moldova. Russia and Belarus have been excluded from the meeting in Bucharest.
WEST BANK – The Israeli War Cabinet has legalized five settler outposts in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a move likely to further strain the situation in the region and complicate Israel’s relationship with the United States. Israel considers that most Jewish settlements in the West Bank are legal and that only a few, established without approval, are illegal. The international community, however, sees all colonies as illegal. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating by the day. On the other hand, France, Germany, Canada and the United States have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, amid fears of conflict expansion in the Middle East.
POLL – The first round of the snap elections for the appointment of representatives in the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the French Parliament, will take place on Sunday. The almost 49 million people with the right to vote will choose between a nationalist-populist right, at the top of the electorate’s preferences, a left wing which is struggling to remain united and a pro-Macron majority unprepared to give up the government. The second round is scheduled for July 7. We remind you that President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly on June 9, after his party’s failure in the European elections. (EE)
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June 2, 2024
TERMINAL – The largest grain transshipment terminal in Europe was inaugurated, on Friday, in Suceava county (northern Romania), on the border with Ukraine, in the presence of the Romanian and Ukrainian authorities. The new terminal was built in a public-private partnership and cost approximately 10 million euros, the financing being provided by the largest group of private railway companies with Romanian shareholders in Southeast Europe. Due to its large transshipment capacity, the terminal will become a strategic point for streamlining grain traffic from the border with Ukraine to the Port of Constanta.
RESTORATION – The restoration project of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca (north-western Romania) and that of a Saxon church in a village in Sibiu county (center) are among the winners of this year’s edition of the European Heritage Awards, awarded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Saint Michael’s Church went through an extensive restoration process between 2016 and 2022, and the project also included interior remodeling and modernization works. In turn, according to the Representative of the European Commission in Bucharest, the Saxon church, rehabilitated from the ground up, is considered a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship. The awards ceremony will take place on October 7 in Bucharest.
BOOKS – Romania takes part, between May 31 and June 16, in the 83rd edition of the Madrid Book Fair, with a national stand and 20 literary events. Three million visitors are expected at over 300 events for readers of all ages and 5,000 autograph sessions. Romania is participating in this large-scale event for the 13th time. Among the Romanian writers present at the event are Gabriela Adameşteanu, Eugen Barz, Aura Christi, Nichita Danilov, Cristian Fulaş, Miguel Gane, Stejărel Olaru, Radu Paraschivescu, Radmila Popovici, Andreea Răsuceanu and Corina Sabău, a journalist with Radio Romania International. On the other hand, the Sibiu International Theater Festival was awarded the Order of Civil Merit of Spain by King Felipe VI. The distinction will be handed out by the Spanish ambassador to Romania, during the 31st edition of this cultural event that will take place between June 21 and 30.
BOOKFEST – The 17th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair closes its doors today in Bucharest. The current edition brought together 200 exhibitors and 150 publishing houses from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the latter being the guest of honor this year. A project co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, the Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Romanian Editors’ Association. At the previous international editions, the invited countries were: Spain, Hungary, France, the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Poland, the Czech Republic, Israel, Sweden, the United States, Great Britain, Japan and Italy. Bookfest has local editions in Timisoara (west), Cluj-Napoca (north-west), Târgu Mures, Brasov (center) and another international edition in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova.
VOLLEYBALL – The Romanian women’s volleyball team is today up against Spain in Gijon, the last match in the preliminary phase of the Golden League Final Four tournament. The first four places qualify for the final tournament, held on June 15-16, in Ostrava (Czech Republic). The Romanian national squad qualified for the Golden League’s Final Four tournament after defeating the Croatian team 3-nil, on Saturday, in Gijon. Also on Saturday, the Romanian national men’s volleyball team was defeated by the Czech team 3-2, in Karlovy Vary, in its last Golden League match. (EE)
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June 1, 2024 UPDATE
GAZA – Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed and include the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, freeing all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, France Presse reports. The same news agency says that the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas qualified as ‘positive’ the new Israeli roadmap for the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages, revealed by US President Joe Biden. Biden announced on Friday that Israel has proposed a new ‘global’ ceasefire agreement that also includes the release of all hostages. Israel’s proposal consists, the White House leader announced, in the withdrawal of all its forces from the Palestinian territory for six weeks, a full ceasefire and the release of all hostages. We remind you that on October 7, 2023, Hamas took over 250 hostages in southern Israel and killed approximately 1,200 people, triggering the war in Gaza.
BOOKS – The 17th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair continued in Bucharest on Saturday. This edition brings together 200 exhibitors and 150 publishing houses from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, which is the guest of honour this year. Over 1 million titles are featured. Readers are invited to take part in book launches, debates and other activities. A project co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, the Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Romanian Editors’ Association.
CELEBRATION – Numerous events were held for children on June 1st in Romania, on the occasion of the International Children’s Day. The Parliament hosted the 4th edition of the Children’s Senate. According to the organizers, the event was an opportunity to explain the little ones the role of Parliament, as well as their rights in society through various educational activities. The Chamber of Deputies also opened its doors for the young visitors. Museums from all over the country hosted workshops with free entry for children and numerous surprises.
PRAGUE – The head of Romanian diplomacy, Luminiţa Odobescu, pleaded, on Friday, at the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague, for the continuation of substantial support for Ukraine. “Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Allies have provided approximately EUR 40 billion worth of military support to Ukraine each year. We must maintain at least this level of support each year, for as long as necessary. I have also proposed that Allies should share this burden equitably,” NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said at the end of the meeting. In Prague, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Friday that U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine using U.S. weapons to strike targets inside Russia that were attacking the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, after Kyiv sought authorization from Washington in recent weeks, Reuters reports.
TERMINAL – The largest grain transshipment terminal in Europe was inaugurated, on Friday, in Suceava county (northern Romania), on the border with Ukraine, in the presence of the Romanian and Ukrainian authorities. The new terminal was built in a public-private partnership and cost approximately 10 million euros, the financing being provided by the largest group of private railway companies with Romanian shareholders in Southeast Europe. Due to its large transshipment capacity, the terminal will become a strategic point for streamlining grain traffic from the border with Ukraine to the Port of Constanta.
RESTORATION – The restoration project of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca (north-western Romania) and that of a Saxon church in a village in Sibiu county (center) are among the winners of this year’s edition of the European Heritage Awards, awarded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Saint Michael’s Church went through an extensive restoration process between 2016 and 2022, and the project also included interior remodeling and modernization works. In turn, according to the Representative of the European Commission in Bucharest, the Saxon church, rehabilitated from the ground up, is considered a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship. The awards ceremony will take place on October 7 in Bucharest. (EE)
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June 1, 2024
CELEBRATION – Numerous events have been scheduled for children in Romania, on the occasion of June 1, the International Children’s Day. The Parliament hosts the 4th edition of the Children’s Senate. According to the organizers, the event is an opportunity to explain the little ones the role of Parliament, as well as their rights in society through various educational activities. The Chamber of Deputies also opened its doors for the young visitors. Museums from all over the country have announced workshops with free entry for children.
PRAGUE – The head of Romanian diplomacy, Luminiţa Odobescu, pleaded, on Friday, at the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague, for the continuation of substantial support for Ukraine. “Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Allies have provided approximately EUR 40 billion worth of military support to Ukraine each year. We must maintain at least this level of support each year, for as long as necessary. I have also proposed that Allies should share this burden equitably,” NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said at the end of the meeting. In Prague, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Friday that U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine using U.S. weapons to strike targets inside Russia that were attacking the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, after Kyiv sought authorization from Washington in recent weeks, Reuters reports.
TERMINAL – The largest grain transshipment terminal in Europe was inaugurated, on Friday, in Suceava county (northern Romania), on the border with Ukraine, in the presence of the Romanian and Ukrainian authorities. The new terminal was built in a public-private partnership and cost approximately 10 million euros, the financing being provided by the largest group of private railway companies with Romanian shareholders in Southeast Europe. Due to its large transshipment capacity, the terminal will become a strategic point for streamlining grain traffic from the border with Ukraine to the Port of Constanta.
RESTORATION – The restoration project of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca (north-western Romania) and that of a Saxon church in a village in Sibiu county (center) are among the winners of this year’s edition of the European Heritage Awards, awarded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Saint Michael’s Church went through an extensive restoration process between 2016 and 2022, and the project also included interior remodeling and modernization works. In turn, according to the Representative of the European Commission in Bucharest, the Saxon church, rehabilitated from the ground up, is considered a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship. The awards ceremony will take place on October 7 in Bucharest.
GAZA – The American President, Joe Biden, said on Friday that Israel proposed a new ‘global’ ceasefire agreement that includes the release of all hostages, Reuters and AFP report. Israel’s proposal consists in withdrawing all its forces from the Palestinian territory for six weeks, a complete ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Joe Biden has urged Hamas to accept a new Israeli proposal to end the conflict in Gaza, saying that “it’s time for this war to end”. On Thursday, the Palestinian Islamist group announced, in a statement, that it wants a total agreement with Israel regarding the release of hostages kidnapped from Israel, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners , but the condition is to put an end of the war in Gaza. We remind you that on October 7, 2023, Hamas took more than 250 hostages in southern Israel and killed approximately 1,200 people, triggering the Gaza war.
TENNIS – Romanian tennis players Irina Begu (127 WTA) and Ana Bogdan (64 WTA) are today playing in the third round of the French Open. Begu is up against Varvara Gracheva (France), and Ana Bogdan faces Elina Svitolina (Ukraine ). Ana Bogdan will also play today in the doubles. (EE)
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April 9, 2024
MEETING – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is today meeting, in Bucharest, with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi. The talks that the latter had on Monday with Romanian officials such as Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu and Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja focused on the close collaboration between Romania and the IAEA in the development of the civil nuclear program and on the prospects for deepening cooperation in the energy field. The foreign official highlighted Romania’s international profile and its responsible and internationally recognized nuclear policy.
DEFICIT – Romania’s trade balance deficit in the first two months of this year was 4.142 billion euros, by 228.4 million euros smaller than the one recorded in the same period in 2023, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics, published on Tuesday. In February, a trade deficit of 2.174 billion euros was registered. Statistical data show that between January 1 and February 29, 2024, exports totaled 15.042 billion euros, and imports – 19.184 billion euros. Compared to the same period of last year, exports decreased by 0.1%, and imports by 1.2%. In the first two months of 2024, important shares in the structure of exports and imports are held by the product groups: machinery and transport equipment (47.3% for export and 36.3% for import) and other manufactured products (29.1% for export and 27.9% for import). The value of intra-EU27 exchanges of goods in the mentioned period was 11.045 billion euros for shipments and 14.111 billion euros for introductions, representing 73.4% of total exports and 73.6% of total imports.
FISHING – The general ban on fishing began on Tuesday in all natural waters in Romania, according to an order approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment. Consequently, commercial and recreational activity is to be resumed on June 8, with some exceptions. The ban will last 60 days in the natural fishing habitats, while in the waters that form the state border with Ukraine it will last 45 days, being prohibited from April 16 to May 30. The fishing prohibition period is established depending on the reproduction season of the aquatic fauna, so that it is protected, with a view to sustainable exploitation. During the prohibition period, fishermen can carry out their activity in private lakes.
EU – The European Commission has approved an aid scheme for Romanian businesses of approximately 2.5 billion euros. This is intended to protect companies affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Commission concluded that the reintroduction of support for Romanian companies remains necessary, adequate and proportionate to remedy the significant disturbances in the economy of a member state. The scheme aims to ensure that the affected companies continue to have enough liquidities.
VISIT – The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, announced that he will make official visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. He hailed what he called Qatar’s direct involvement in rescuing Romanian citizens from the Gaza Strip, the scene of the war between the Israeli army and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, and said he wanted to reiterate his thanks to the Qatari leaders. In the United Arab Emirates, Ciolacu also said, he will hold talks on possible investments in the development of the Constanţa Port (south-east), the TAROM state owned airline and the Bucharest Airport.
CARS – The number of new car registered in Romania went down by 22% in March compared to the same month last year and by more than 17% compared to the previous month, according to the Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association. The electric car segment experienced a setback of almost 36% compared to the same period in 2023. As regards the market share depending on the engine, gasoline cars occupy the first place, with over 58%, followed by electric ones, with almost 24%, and Diesel, with almost 18%. In March 2024, the best selling 100% electric cars in Romania were Dacia Spring and Tesla
