Category: Newsflash

The Bucharest Senate on Monday decided that the draft law on the gold and silver mining project in Rosia Montana, in central Romania, should be debated under an emergency procedure. A report on the project, by the relevant commissions, will be drawn up by September 17th. In Bucharest, thousands of people took to the streets for the 8th cnsecutive day, calling on Parliament to reject the bill that allows for the use of cyanide, which environmental NGOs see as a major threat. Meanwhile on Mining Day, the mayors of over 40 villages and towns in Transylvania called on the MPs to approve the Rosia Montana project, which promises new jobs for the locals. In another development, the Parliament in Bucharest has started debates on another controversial bill, which regulates the situation of stray dogs.

Romanian President Traian Basescu announced on Monday that Romania fully agrees to the ideas laid down in the declaration signed by 11 states at the G20 summit in Russia, which calls for a firm international response as far as Syria is concerned. Among the states that signed the declaration are Canada, Australia, France and the US. According to President Basescu, the declaration clearly shows that the international law banning the use of chemical weapons has been in force for a lot of time and that it is universal. The declaration strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons.

The Bashar al-Assad regime hailed the proposal made by the Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov as regards placing the Syrian chemical arsenal under international control, the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem said on Monday in Moscow. Lavrov has thus answered to the statement made earlier on Monday by he US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who stated that the Syrian regime might prevent a military intervention if it surrendered its chemical weapons to the international community starting next week.

Romania’s trade deficit narrowed in the first seven months of the year by 2.2 billion euros, to 3.12 billion, after an increase in exports and a drop in imports, the National Statistics Institute has announced. In July exports reached a record-high level of nearly 4.5 billion euro. As compared to the corresponding period of last year, exports rose by 7.7% and imports dropped by 0.7%.

The EU and the US fully support the former Soviet countries that have chosen to get closer to the EU — namely Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova – and have warned Russia that the pressure it puts on these countries is unacceptable. Lithuania, which is currently holding the 6 month presidency of the EU, will host in November the Eastern Partnership Summit, where the EU hopes to sign an unprecedented association and free trade agreement with Ukraine and to sign similar agreements with Georgia and Moldova. Russia has recently warned Ukraine and Moldova about potential retaliatory measures in case they signed agreements with the EU.

The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has stated that Washington got the support of several countries for an army intervention in Syria, in retaliation for the use of chemical weapons in that country. Talking in Paris, at a joint press conference with the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, the US official did not however say which states. Kerry is on a European tour aimed at getting support for a military intervention against Bashar al — Assad’s regime. The US congress is still debating the authorization of an intervention in that country.

In Montreal, Canada, a group of Romanians protested on Saturday in front of the building hosting Romania’s consulate against the use of cyanides in gold and silver mining in Rosia Montana, central Romania. The protesters sang the national anthem of Romania and chanted slogans urging to unity in defending Romania’s historical and natural heritage. A new protest will take place in front of the Romanian Consulate in Montreal on September 14th.

Orthodox and catholic believers are today celebrating the birth of Virgin Mary, the first big celebration in the church calendar that started on September 1st. The celebration marks the astronomical passing from summer to autumn. Following an appeal made by the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, Christian believers and clergy are today praying for peace in Syria, Egypt and other areas in the Middle East.

The permanent office of the two chambers of Parliament convened on Monday to agree on the membership of a special committee which will be analysing the draft law for the gold and silver mining project at Rosia Montana, central Romania. The announcement was made on Friday by Chamber of Deputies Speaker Valeriu Zgonea. For almost a week now, Bucharest and other cities in Romania have seen street protests against the controversial mining project at Rosia Montana. Environmental NGOs claim the cyanide used in the technical mining process risks irreversibly damaging the environment. On the other hand, the Government claims the set up of the mine would generate hundreds of jobs and bring in over 5 billion dollars to the state budget.

Rendering the defence planning process more transparent and boosting collaboration among EU member states is impossible without the high officials’ strong commitment in this respect, the Romanian Defence Minister Mircea Dusa said at the EU defence ministers meeting in Vilnius. On this occasion Mircea Dusa told the European officials that Romania would like a pragmatic solution to be found, able to allow more EU companies in the defence industry to take part in joint projects in the field. On the same note, the “European Council meeting in December this year is a good opportunity to give fresh impetus to the process of developing capabilities within the EU”, according to a release of the Romanian Defence Ministry.

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Friday called on local authorities to make sure the new school year, which starts on September 16th, will unfold smoothly. He also asked for measures to be taken in terms of safety in schools and around school areas. In another development, the Education Ministry has also announced that the success rate in the second session of the Baccalaureate’s is 21.5%, by 4% smaller than last year.

US President Barack Obama has announced he would address the American nation with respect to Syria on Tuesday. In a press conference held in Sankt Petersburg, following the G20 summit, the White House leader admitted it would be difficult to obtain Congress’s approval for a military intervention in that country. G20 leaders have maintained their contrasting views of the Syrian crisis. The White House has announced that 11 of the world’s most powerful 20 economies have condemned the recent chemical attack in Syria and have called for a strong response of the international community. France and Germany are awaiting the results of the investigation conducted by UN inspectors before making a decision. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that a military operation against Syria might have tragic and serious consequences and lead to further inter-religious violence. The UN official insisted that any action against this country will need the UN’s approval in order to be legitimate.

Romania is taking part in the 7^th edition of the Francophone Games, organized between September 7^th and 15^th in Nice, France. According to the Romanian Cultural Institute, one of the best known Romanian artists pan flute player Gheorghe Zamfir will be holding a concert alongside his band. Romania’s presence at the event also includes a Romanian blouse exhibition, pottery-making demonstrations, traditional fabrics (carpets and fabrics from Oltenia) and small-sized sculptures (including wooden icons) and painting exhibitions. Held every four years, the event brings together over 3,000 young athletes and artists from all French-speaking countries.

The “George Enescu” International Music Festival continues on Saturday with a concert performed by the “George Enescu” Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir at the Palace Hall in Bucharest. Also on Saturday the Romanian Athenaeum will play host to a concert performed by “La Venexiana” ensemble. The workshop “21^st century Music — Enescu and his contemporaries” will also continue with new activities. The festival will come to a close on September 28^th.

Almost three quarters of the Bucharesters to take part in the referendum on October 6th would vote for the stray dogs to be euthanized, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Romanian Institute for Evaluation and Strategy. According to the report, half of the capital city’s locals see euthanizing stray dogs as the only solution to the problem. Shocking news brought the issue of stray dogs to the media’s attention again. A four-year-old kid died on Monday after being brutally attacked by a pack of stray dogs near a park in Bucharest. The Government is trying to come up with the right solution, together with MPs and local authorities. The latter are referring to a legal vacuum as regards stray dogs. According to the last canine census, Bucharest is home to 64,000 stray dogs.

The Bucharest authorities together with the European Commission will present, by the end of September, a list with Romanian priority projects to receive European financing. The announcement was made in Brussels by the new Transport Minister Ramona Manescu, who has pointed out that these projects are very important for the Romanian economy. The Romanian official’s agenda has been dominated by talks with the European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas, and with the European Commissioner for Regional Policies, Johannes Hahn.

The EU Foreign Ministers asked for a “clear and strong response” to the August 21^st attack with chemical weapons in Syria, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton said on Saturday in Vilnius. The US Secretary of State John Kerry was one of the high officials that took part in the foreign ministers’ meeting in Vilnius. The ministers hailed the announcement made by the French President Francois Hollande a day before, according to which France will wait for the UN inspector’s report before taking a stand on Syria.

The Civic Force Party, the Christian Democratic National Peasants’ Party and the Liberal Romania Initiative signed on Saturday, at the Parliament Palace, a collaboration protocol within the Justice and Truth Alliance. The leaders of the three political parties defined the move as an important step ahead for the unification of the Romanian right-wing parties. They also called on other parties that share the Alliance’s values and principles to join them.

The Romanian economy will go up by 2.5% this year, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s September report. After the euro zone comes out of recession, in 2014, the Romanian economy’s growth pace will increase gradually to an annual average of 4% between 2014 and 2017, given that the country’s GDP is supported by exports and an increasing domestic demand. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s report also says that it is very likely for the structural funds’ absorption to improve in Romania over the next few years.

Romania is taking part in the 7th edition of the Francophone Games, which kicked off on Saturday in Nice, France. According to the Romanian Cultural Institute, one of the best-known Romanian musicians, panpipe player Gheorghe Zamfir, has been invited to hold a concert with his ensemble. Romania’s participation in the event, which ends on September 15th, also includes an exhibition of Romanian traditional blouses, pottery workshops, presentations of traditional tapestry and sculpture. Held once in every four years, the event gathers over 3000 young athletes and artists from the Francophone area.

The Romanian defence minister Mircea Dusa is attending, alongside his EU counterparts, an informal meeting hosted on Thursday and Friday by Lithuania, the country currently holding the EU rotating presidency. According to the defence ministry, Mircea Dusa will present Romania’s position regarding the EU’s military missions and the stage of cooperation with the country’s international partners. The meeting, which is dominated by the Syrian situation, is also attended by the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Catherine Ashton and NATO’s secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Several hundred people protested in Bucharest on Thursday for the fourth day in a row against a controversial gold mining project in Rosia Montana, in the centre. Environmental NGOs warn that the cyanide used in the exploitation process may irreversibly damage the environment. Moreover, they say the project will destroy a series of mine galleries built by the Romans considered to be unique in the world. The government, however, says opening of the mine will generate jobs and attract direct economic benefits of more than 5 billion dollars. President Traian Basescu and prime minister Victor Ponta have mentioned the idea of holding a referendum on Rosia Montana next year.

Romania’s parliament will next week discuss together with local administration representatives a draft law regulating the situation of stray dogs. Bucharest’s mayor Sorin Oprescu said the city would hold a local referendum on euthanising stray dogs. This proposal follows Monday’s tragedy when a 4-year died after being attacked by homeless dogs near a park in Bucharest. The investigation into the case was taken over by the prosecutor’s office.

Prime minister Victor Ponta confirmed on Thursday that the Government of Romania is considering a memorandum on the repurchase of a Dacian silver parade helmet and of a sculpture and several drawings by Constantin Brancusi. The costs of the purchases are yet unknown. The items belong to the American art institute in Detroit, which has defaulted on payments and intends to sell some of the works in its collections to cover its debts.

The George Enescu International Festival, the biggest cultural event hosted by Romania, is under way in Bucharest until the 28th of September. On Thursday, on the 5th day of the festival, the National Music University gave a concert of the young generation of Romanian composers, followed by concerts by Romanian orchestras at the Athenaeum and of the Paris Orchestra at the Grand Palace Hall. The series of workshops entitled “21st Century Music and Enescu and His Contemporaries” also continues.

Romania’s national football squad will meet Hungary on Friday night in Bucharest in a preliminary game counting towards the 2014 Football World Cup hosted by Brazil. With 10 points in 6 games, Romania currently rank third in Group D, after Holland and Hungary. Romania will play their next game against Turkey next week, also at home. These two games are considered decisive for Romania’s qualification to the World Cup. With the exception of Euro 2008, Romania has not managed to qualify for any of the final football tournaments held in the last ten years.

The World Economic Forum submitted today its 2013- 2014 Global Competitiveness Report. Romania this year climbed two positions as opposed to last year, reaching 76. Switzerland maintains its top world position for the fifth year in the world, followed by Singapore and Finland. Germany is now in fourth place, higher than the United States in the ranking.

Around two thousand Romanians held protests for the third consecutive day, in Bucharest and other cities, against the controversial project to mine gold in Rosia Montana, employing cyanide. Green NGOs point out that the process using cyanide involves major risks of irreversible pollution in the surrounding area. In addition, according to opponents, the mining may destroy the old Roman mine galleries, unique world historical sites. The government has sent a bill the Parliament claiming that the project will create jobs and bring budget revenue worth over give billion dollars. The head of state, Traian Basescu, and Prime Minister Ponta are also in favor of a decision by referendum next year.

The Romanian President issued yet another warning to Romanians in Syria, asking them to leave the country as quickly as possible, against the mounting possibility of a foreign military intervention. He also said that, in spite of last week’s similar announcement, very few Romanians chose to leave Syria. Also, the head of state said that the Foreign Ministry evaluates the number of Romanians in that country to between 12,000 and 14,000, spread over most areas.

Romania’s largest cultural event, the George Enescu International Festival, continues in Bucharest, until 28 September. The Romanian series of shows by Romanian orchestras at the Athenaeum started on Tuesday, when the Pittsburgh Philharmonic played in the Grand Hall of the Royal Palace. The workshop entitled ‘21st century music- Enescu and his contemporaries’ started with three conferences on the same day.

In Romania, the GDP went up 0.5 % in the second quarter against the previous one, and by 1.8% per semester, according to the National Institute of Statistics. The growth is higher than previous estimates of 0.3%, being equal to 1.7%, due to industry, agriculture, real estate and constructions. The national bank adjusted this month its forecast for economic growth this year to above 2%, based on higher exports, industrial growth and a good year for agriculture. The IMF did the same, raising its forecast for growth in Romania for 2014 from 2% to 2.25%.

Romanian prosecutors have put under criminal investigation the current minister of the economy, Varujan Vosganian, from the Liberal Party, in the ruling coalition, and the former minister, Adriean Videanu, from the Liberal Democratic Party, now in the opposition. The two are accused of facilitating preferential gas prices granted by Romgaz, the Romanian state company, to a company called InterAgro, causing the Romanian state to incur damages worth 130 million dollars. The two have denied all accusations.

88 year-old former prison commander Alexandru Visinescu was indicted on Tuesday in Bucharest for genocide, the first to be prosecuted under this accusation since the trial of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. He was warden during the communist period at the Ramnicu Sarat prison, part of the Romanian gulag. He was called in for statements by prosecutors in the case filed against him by the Institute for Investigating the Crimes of Communism, in which he is accused of being responsible for numerous deaths among political prisoners between 1956 and 1963. Many of the victims died as a result of the extreme conditions to which the warden’s policies submitted them. Visinescu is among the 35 top criminal enforcers of the communist regime singled out by the Institute for Investigating the Crimes of Communism.

Hundreds continued protests for the second day in a row in Bucharest against the controversial bill allowing gold mining at the Rosia Montana site using cyanides. The new, renegotiated bill was endorsed by the government last week, and will go to Parliament for debated. President Traian Basescu said he favored a decision by referendum, to coincide with elections for Euro MPs in 2014. Prime Minister Victor Ponta said he was in agreement with the proposal. Stay tuned for more after the news.

3,000 Romanian artists and 1,500 foreign artists will perform this entire month at the George Enescu International Festival, the most important of its kind in Romania. Monday night, on the festival’s second day, German pianist of Romanian origin Radu Lupu performed for a sold out audience, accompanied by the Staatskapelle Berlin Orchestra, conduced by Daniel Barenboim. Over 150 events are scheduled for the festival between September 1 and 28 in Bucharest and several large cities in the country. Radio Romania, a major partner in the festival since its inception in 1958, broadcasts live 63 of the concerts on the line-up, 59 of them re-broadcast by EU partner stations.

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, 21st seed, ranking 19 in the WTA, missed the qualification for the quarter finals in the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the Year. She was defeated by Italian Flavia Pennetta, ranking 83rd in the world. Simona Halep is now at the height of her career so far, managing to win four tournaments in only a few months.

The Transport Ministry in Bucharest and GFR, part of the Grampet Group, signed on Monday the contract for the privatization of CFR Marfa, the Freight Division of the Romanian Railway Company. In June, GFR was declared winning bidder in the privatization of the CFR Marfa. They offered 202 million euros for 51% of the shares in this company. Also GFR said they would make further investments amounting to around 204 million euros. The privatisation of the heavily indebted CFR Marfa is stipulated in the precautionary agreement the Romanian Government signed with the IMF and the World Bank in 2011.

The Parliament of Romania has resumed its sessions after the summer recess. The parliamentary parties have already outlined their legislative priorities for this session, and some of the most urgent projects include the referendum act, the endorsement of the new Constitution, amending the law on the development regions and measures to reduce taxation.

Romanias President Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta said on Monday they supported the idea of a referendum on the issue of gold mining in Rosia Montana, in central Romania. Several thousand Romanians protested in major cities, Bucharest included, against the start of gold mining in Rosia Montana, which the Government supports. The protesters asked Parliament to turn down a government bill that declares the project of national utility and outstanding national importance. Environmental NGOs warn that the cianide used in the technological process entails irreversible environment pollution risks. In addition, they argue, the mining works may destroy the Roman galleries in the region, which are seen as unique in the world in terms of archaeological importance. On the other hand, the government claims the mining works will generate jobs and bring direct economic benefits of over five billion US dollars.

In Romania, only 20.3% of the candidates taking part in the autumn Baccalaureate session have passed the exams, the Education Ministry announced on Monday. The final results will be made public on Thursday, September 5th, after all contestations have been solved. Eighty-eight thousand candidates have sat in this session. The pass rate in last year’s autumn session was 25.5%.

The 21st George Enescu International Festival, the most important cultural event organised by Romania, continues in Bucharest. Radio Romania, a partner to the event ever since its first edition, will broadcast live 63 concerts, of which 59 are offered to partners from the EU. The bi-annual ”George Enescu” Festival was established in 1958, in recognition of the great Romanian musician. Until September 28th, around 150 events will take place, in which 3,000 foreign artists and 1,500 Romanian artists will take part. The bi-annual ”George Enescu” Festival was established in 1958, in recognition of the great Romanian musician.

United States President Barack Obama has launched an intensive lobby campaign to persuade the Congress to approve attacks against the Syrian regime, accused of having resorted to chemical weapons. The US Secretary of State John Kerry announced the US has received and analysed samples that prove the use of sarin gas in the attacks of August 21^st. In his turn, the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Monday he was personally convinced that the Syrian government is responsible for the attack with chemical weapons that killed hundreads of people. Meanwhile, in France, seen as the main partner of the US in a prospective military campaign, after the negative vote in the British Parliament, discontent with an intervention in Syria is growing among political actors. Russia continues to oppose a foreign military intervention in Syria.

Bucharest and several Romanian cities are hosting as of Sunday September 1st until September 28th the 21st edition of the George Enescu International Music festival, one of the most prestigious festivals in Europe. The opening concert will be given in Bucharest by the Staatskapelle Berlin orchestra under the baton of famous conductor Daniel Barenboim. Soloist in the concert will be Romanian born pianist Radu Lupu. Over 150 events are scheduled to take place as part of the festival which, according to organizers, offers this year a unique cultural mix focusing on world famous composers such as George Enescu, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi and Benjamin Britten who are commemorated this year, and Schoenberg, Mahler and Beethoven. Classical music lovers will have to opportunity to attend, for one whole month, numerous concerts, recitals, opera and ballet shows, conferences and composition workshops. The George Enescu festival is held every two years and it was set up in 1958 to honor the genius of the great Romanian composer, George Enescu.

The Romanian Parliament will resume its activity on Monday in this year’s 2nd ordinary session. The parliamentary parties have already set up their legislative priorities for the current session. The main priorities for the governing Social Liberal Union are the 2014 budget, the country’s regionalization and decentralization. The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, in opposition, says the three issues are also their legislative priorities. The opposition Liberal Democratic Party’s priorities focus on creating jobs and reforming the education system.

Romania’s women’s coxed eight crew on Sunday won the silver medal in the World Rowing Championship hosted by Chungju, South Korea. The gold medal went to the competition’s big favorite, the USA, world and Olympic champion while the bronze medal was won by Canada. This is Romania’s 2nd medal at this championship. On Saturday Romania’s women’s pair made up of Roxana Cogianu and Nicoleta Albu also won the silver medal.

Gymnast Diana Bulimar on Sunday won gold in the beam and floor events and bronze in the uneven bars event and Sandra Izbasa got silver in the floor event at the competition hosted by Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. On Saturday Diana Bulimar won gold in the individual all around event final. The two gymnasts are preparing to participate in the World Gymnastics Championship to be hosted by Belgium which will start on September 30^th in Antwerp.

As of 2003 the Day of Romanian Diplomacy has been marked on September 1^st. This year the event was preceded by a meeting of the Romanian diplomats- which made possible the assessment of the diplomatic activity of the past year as well as the setting up of the main guidelines for the future. This year’s meeting, that took place between August 27^th and 29^th, had two special guests: the Lithuanian foreign minister, Linas Antanas Linkevicius, whose country is holding the presidency of the EU, and the Moldovan minister of foreign affairs and European integration, Natalia Gherman.

The American President, Barack Obama, has officially called on the Congress to authorize the start of military action against Syria. Obama pointed out that the operation would be on short term and would not involve ground troops. Its main aim is to discourage the Syrian regime from using chemical weapons against civilians. The American secretary of state, John Kerry, said that fresh laboratory tests indicate sarin gas was used in an August 21^st attack in Syria that Washington blamed on al –Assad’s regime. France, which announced it would support the US intervention in Syria, said it would ask for the approval of Parliament. In Damascus the opposition expressed disappointment as to the decision of the American president to ask for the vote of the Congress before starting an attack against the Syrian army. Since the start of the uprising against Bashar al –Assad’s regime, which subsequently turned into a civil war, more than 100 thousand people have lost their lives- shows a death toll published by the UN.

The representative of Pope Francis at the beatification ceremony of Vladimir Ghika, cardinal Angelo Amato, has described the event in Bucharest as a “prophetic sign of reconciliation and peace”. He paid tribute to Vladimir Ghika (1873-1954), a descendant of the last ruler of Moldavia, who was concerted to Catholicism. The pope’s envoy also spoke about the persecutions to which both Catholic priests and bishops and their Orthodox brothers were subject to during the communist regime. Thousands of people from Romania and abroad attended the beatification mass for Vladimir Ghika, who died in a communist prison. His beatification is a step towards canonisation and the most important event in the life of the Romanian Catholic Church after the visit of Pope John Paul 2^nd in 1999.

Romanian president Traian Basescu congratulated Romanians on Romanian Language Day, which was celebrated for the first time in this country on the 31^st of August. 30 million people speak the Romanian language around the globe and for 25 million of them Romania is their mother tongue, reads the president’s message. At home and abroad, Romania’s diplomatic offices and cultural institutes staged a number of cultural, educational and artistic events dedicated to the history of the Romanian language. Similar events were held in the neighbouring, Romanian-speaking Republic of Moldova, where Romanian Language Day has been celebrated since 1989.

The Romanian women’s coxless pair made up of Roxana Cogianu si Nicoleta Albu have won the silver medal at the World Rowing Championships hosted by Chungju in South Korea. Also on Saturday, the Romanian kayak double made up of Irina Lauric and Bianca Plesca won the bronze medal in the 1,000 m race at the World Championships in Duisburg, Germany.

The regime in Damascus is illegitimate and criminal, the prime minister of Romania Victor Ponta said on Friday, and added that Bucharest was in permanent contact with the Western capitals. He said his cabinet was preparing an official statement on the Syrian issue, which would be made public after consultations with Romania’s international partners. However, Ponta explained, any major decision taken by Romania in this respect will have to be first endorsed by the Higher Defence Council and Parliament. Meanwhile, the Romanian Foreign Ministry once again urges Romanian citizens to immediately leave Syria, as the situation there is worsening. The Ministry explains that the only open routes are the terrestrial ones, to Syria’s neighbours, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. The Romanian citizens in Syria are also advised to contact the Romanian Embassy in Damascus (via telephone, fax or internet), to communicate their contact details. According to Foreign Ministry estimates, between 12 and 14 thousand Romanians are currently in Syria.

A Romanian medical team travelled by a Defence Ministry aircraft to neighbouring Hungary, after 3 Romanian citizens died and 18 others were injured on Friday in a traffic accident. According to the Romanian authorities, the patients, at least one of whom is in a serious condition, have been taken to five hospitals in Hungary. The bus with Romanian tourists was involved in a chain accident on a motorway 25 km from Budapest. This June 19 Romanians died and close to 30 others were injured in Montenegro, after their bus fell into a crevice.

Four former US ambassadors to Romania have submitted a request to the US Congress to relax the conditions of the Visa Waiver program, giving citizens from countries like Romania, Poland, Croatia and Bulgaria the opportunity to travel for 90 days without a visa to the US. This initiative comes against debates in Congress on immigration reform. The four believe that the Visa Waiver program needs amending, as they believe it is a hindrance to relations with allies, affecting negatively the US economy.

Over 800 members of ethnic minorities in Romania are taking part until Sunday in the 11th edition of the ‘Pro Etnica’ International Festival in Sighisoara, the only medieval fortified city in South East Europe that is still inhabited. The event promotes intercultural dialog, and offers an opportunity for the participants to present their culture, history and traditions, through music, workshops, conferences, and round tables with discussions on topics revolving around that issue. There will also be a fair where craftsmen from minority communities will make available to visitors their traditional products.

Romania’s football vice-champions, Pandurii Tg-Jiu, Friday found out their opponents in Europa League. Pandurii, who play for the first time in a European cup, will have to face Fiorentina (from Italy), Dnepr Dnepropetrovsk (from Ukraine) and Pacos Ferreira (Portugal). Pandurii qualified into the group stage after having defeated another Portuguese team, Sporting Braga. In the other European inter-club competition, Champions League, Steaua Bucharest will meet the British side Chelsea London, Schalke 04 from Germany and FC Basel from Switzerland.

Romanian tennis star Simona Halep, 21st seed and 19th in the WTA standings, qualified for the third round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year. Halep defeated 6-2, 6-1, after 59 minutes of play, Croatian tennis player Donna Vekich, who ranks in the 65th place in the world standings. The players qualified to the third round get 93,000 dollars each.

Xenophobia and racism seem to re-emerge in Europe, Romanian president Traian Basescu said on Thursday, at the end of a two day visit to Slovakia. He attended the ceremonies organised at the Military Cemetery of the Romanian Army in Zvolen (in the centre), where 10,000 Romanian soldiers are entombed and at the monument situated within Slovakia’s Liberation Museum. Earlier, during the meeting he had with his Slovak counterpart, Ivan Gasparovic, the Romanian president said that both countries had adjusted and brought their legislation on ethnic minorities at European standards. Traian Basescu’s visit comes against the backdrop of Slovakia celebrating 69 years since it liberated itself from Fascist occupation, a historical act to which the Romanian Army had a decisive contribution.

The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest advises all Romanian citizens in Syria to leave the country as soon as possible given the worsening situation there. The Foreign Ministry pointed out that the only evacuation routes for the Romanian citizens are the roads to the neighbouring states- Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Romanian citizens in Syria are advised to contact the Romanian Embassy in Damascus by phone, fax or Internet, to signal their presence in the country and communicate their coordinates, as well as those of their relatives, so that in case of emergency they can ask for the Romanian state’s assistance. All Romanian citizens affected by the current situation is Syria are invited to call 24/7 the number +40.21.319.21.37 of the Consular Department for assistance and consular information. According to the estimates made by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, between 12,000 and 14,000 Romanian citizens are currently in Syria.

The alleged chemical weapon attack blamed on the regime in Damascus continues to be a matter of concern for the Western chancelleries, whereas the investigation by the UN team of inspectors on the ground comes to an end on Friday. In London, British premier David Cameron has admitted before Parliament that he is not 100% sure that the regime of Bashar al Assad bears responsibility for the attack. In Paris, president François Hollande has said fresh from a meeting with representatives of the Syrian opposition that the West should intervene in order to halt the escalation of violence. In turn, Berlin has announced that it is waiting for the conclusions drawn by the UN team of inspectors, whereas a survey made public on Thursday, too, shows that one in three Germans stands for an intervention in Syria. In Washington, the House of Representatives has called on president Barack Obama to make public his military plans on Syria. In turn, Moscow reiterated its opposition to a foreign intervention in Syria. Most likely than not, a decision on prospective attacks against the troops loyal to the regime in Damascus will be made after the conclusions of the investigations are made public at the UN Security Council, international news agencies report.

Two highly appreciated Romanian films will be screened during the well-known International Film Festival in Haifa, Israel, which,this year, is held between September the 19th and 28th. The announcement was made on Thursday by the Romanian Cultural Institute. The films will be “Child’s Pose” directed by Calin Peter Netzer and “About people and snails” by Tudor Giurgiu. “Child’ Pose” is Romania’s proposal for the “best foreign film” category of the Oscars this year. In its turn, “About people and snails” won several prizes at international festivals, among which those in Warsaw-Poland and Valladolid- Spain.

The only still inhibited medieval fortified citadel in southeastern Europe, Sighisoara, in central Romania, is hosting, as of Thursday, the 11th edition of the “Proetnica” Intercultural Festival. The event brings together, until September 1st, over 800 representatives of the 20 ethnic communities in Romania. Song and dance shows, workshops, lectures, round tables and a handicrafts fair will be held as part of the event

The Japanese capital city, Tokyo, is hosting for the 9th year in a row the International Classical Music Contest “Romania”. An already traditional cultural event in Japan, the contest will unfold this year between August the 28th and September the 1st. The event in Tokyo is organised by the “Romania” Classical Music Society based in Japan, chaired by Mrs Kazuko Shimada. The contest is destined for music lovers aged over 15, but not necessarily classical music professionals, hence the success it enjoys with the public, as hundreds of musicians take part in the music contest qualifiers.

Following the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday, Steaua Bucharest discover their fate in the competition. The Romanian footballers will play in Group E, alongside Chelsea, Schalke and Basel.

Romania does not change its foreign policy every time its government is changed, but it has to establish economic and political relations with countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America, apart from the already traditional ones with its allies and partners, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said on Wednesday in Bucharest, at the Annual Mmeeting of the Romanian Diplomacy. Prime Minister Ponta also called on the Romanian ambassadors to be as active as possible at official level as well as in their dialogue with the foreign media when their country is pointed at.

Romania’s President, Traian Basescu is currently on a two-day official visit to Slovakia. He has already had talks in Bratislava with his Slovak counterpart Ivan Gaaparovic. The talks focussed on issues of bilateral and European interest, laying emphasis on the situation of ethnic minorities living in Romania and Slovakia, respectively. President Basescu has said Romania has adopted European standards as regards minorities, which provide for their right to preserve their traditions and culture, to have access to mass-media in their native language and, at the same time, the obligation to be loyal to the Romanian state. President Traian Basescu has underlined that Romania will never accept the theory of “collective rights for minorities” and will never accept that someone from abroad come and tell Romania how it should be organised administratively.

The number of Romanians who migrated abroad in search of a job increased considerably after Romania joined the EU, in 2007. Estimates made at European level and included in the 2013-2020 Draft National Strategy for the Occupancy of Labor Force shows that 2.1 million Romanians are working in other EU member states. The Romanians’ main countries of destination are Italy (890,000 people), Spain (825,000 people) and Germany (110,000 people). The massive migration of the active labor force in a very short period of time created imbalances on the labor market, the aforementioned document writes.

The Romanian Economy Ministry has started talks with the Ukrainian side, for the first time in the past two decades, on ways to get back the money invested by Romania in a project relating to the building of the Ukrainian acid ore enrichment works in Krivoy Rog. Romania should get back approximately one billion dollars from that project. Economy minister Varujan Vosganian paid a visit to Kiev on Tuesday, for talks on this issue with the Ukrainian partners. The building of the works in Krivoy Rog started in 1983, during the times of the former USSR and Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, involving the participation of the then Democratic Republic of Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. In 1990, 70 % of the works were completed, but they were brought to a halt.

Roger Waters, a founding member of Pink Floyd, on Wednesday brought to Bucharest the show ”The Wall”, seen as the most spectacular music production of the moment. The touring version of Pink Floyds “The Wall” is one of the most ambitious and complex rock shows ever staged. It is a combination of live music, visual effects and a grandiose stage design.

The beginning of the works on the Iasi — Ungheni gas pipeline, which links Romania and the Republic of Moldova, is a remarkable moment in the cooperation between the two countries and the EU. The statement was made today by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca, at the inauguration ceremony. Attending the event, the European Commissioner for Energy, Gunther Oettinger, stated that this pipeline has a strategic importance for both countries. The ceremony was also attended by the Romanian PM, Victor Ponta, who had previously congratulated the Moldavan citizens on the 22nd anniversary of their country’s independence from the Soviet Union.

Bucharest is these days hosting the annual meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy, organized by the Foreign Ministry. The special guests to the event are the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevicous and the Viceprime-minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gherman. The 3 day meeting will approach topics regarding European affairs, eastern vicinity, Romania’s relations with global players in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, economic and cultural diplomacy.

The Romanian Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian is paying a formal visit to Kiev today, accompanied by a governmetn delegation. The purpose of the visit is to resume negotiations on the recovery of the expenses made by Romania as partner to the building of the Acid Ore Enrichment Works in Krivoi Rog, which started in 1983, during the time of the Soviet Union. Also involved in the project were the Democratic Republic of Germany, Cechoslovakia and Bulgaria. Constructions works stopped in 1990, after 70% of the project had been completed.

Romania’s President Traian Basescu has voiced worries over the rise of unemployment and the accelerated drop in foreign direct investment in Romania. According to the head of state, who quoted figures provided by the National Statistics Institute, the unemployment rate in Romania reached 7.6% in June, one percent higher than in the same month in 2012. In the first quarter of 2013, foreign direct investment dropped by 20%. Against this background, the president called on the Romanian government to boost public investment and use European funds.