A look at the main stories in Romania this week.
Two Romanians are among the victims of Wednesday's terror attack in London
Two Romanians are among the victims of the terror attack in London on Wednesday. The attack has been firmly condemned by political leaders all over the world, from the US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to French President Francois Hollande and the European Council President Donald Tusk. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has also condemned the attack and voiced solidarity with Britain in a telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May. The British police, that have arrested several suspects, said the attacker, Khalid Masood, aged 52, was born in Britain and became a supporter of radical Islam. Before being shot dead by the police, Masood had driven his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and stabbed to death a police officer guarding the House of Parliament. The Islamic State has claimed the attack. Prime Minister Theresa May has said that Britain's terrorist threat level has been set at severe.
Romania's legal system under the spotlight in Strasbourg and Brussels
Romania needs to revise legislation on granting immunity and raise transparency in terms of public procurement for a better fight against government corruption, the chief of the country's anti-corruption directorate (the DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi said during a European Commission's anti-graft conference in Strasbourg. The Romanian official went on to explain that the ministers' immunity must be limited to the time of their term in office, so that investigations on corruption allegations should continue. Kovesi gave the example of a minister suspected of having received almost 45 thousand euros to favour the granting of contracts to certain companies, but prosecutors had to drop the investigation after Parliament in Bucharest had turned down a request for lifting the respective minister's immunity. In another development, also this week the European Parliament held debates on democracy and justice in Romania. The conference was also attended by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader on behalf of the government in Bucharest, and by members of the civil society. The talks in Brussels came after the leftist government in Bucharest had tried to amend criminal legislation, partially decriminalising some offences that might benefit corrupt politicians. The move triggered the biggest protests Romania has seen since the fall of the communist regime in December 1989.
The governments of Bucharest and Chisinau meet for joint session
The governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova convened on Thursday in Piatra Neamt, northeastern Romania, for their third joint session. Prime Minister Grindeanu said that Bucharest would continue to support Chisinau's bid for the EU and that Romania wanted to get involved in the privatisation of state-owned companies in the Republic of Moldova. His counterpart from Chisinau, the pro-Western Pavel Filip gave assurances the Republic of Moldova is looking towards the West and that the country would continue to apply the Association Agreement with the EU and the reforms started. The talks between the two officials came after last week in Moscow the pro-Russian socialist Igor Dodon had reiterated his intention to denounce the association and free-trade agreements with the EU and deepen the relations with the Eurasian Economic Union. Dodon also mentioned the federalisation of the Republic of Moldova as a possible solution to the conflict in the pro-Russia breakaway region of Transdniester.
Romania's Higher Defence Council approves army equipping programme
Romania's Higher Defence Council has approved the mandate under which the Romanian delegation will participate in the NATO summit in Brussels in late May. An updated form of the programme of equipping and streamlining the Romanian army has also been approved. The programme is focusing on the streamlining, developing and properly equipping the armed forces by 2026. The decision came after 2% of the GDP had been earmarked for the armed forces this year. In another development, the US ambassador in Bucharest Hans Klemm has announced that Romania will be hosting a large-scale military drill in July this year. The event is expected to bring together roughly 30 thousand troops from NATO countries. Klemm went on to say that on the bilateral level as well as inside the alliance, the relations between the Romanian military and their counterparts are very good.
Railway and police employees stage protests
Railroad traffic returned to normal in Romania after the unofficial strike on Wednesday when railway workers had brought over 150 trains to a halt. Following talks with the employer, trade unions got the promise of higher pays for the employees after the signing of a new collective labour agreement in April. The company's salary funds are likely to increase by more than 17% whereas the company's infrastructure section is to see a raise of 22%. Police employees also went on a strike and picketed the Labour Ministry. Following talks with the authorities they obtained pay rises, so police employees with the lowest salary of 320 euros will get more money once the new law on unitary payment comes into effect on July 1st. Trade unions say that field agents and officers are to get pay raises of more than 100% in the next 4 years.
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