April 25, 2017 UPDATE
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 25.04.2017, 19:53
Prison conditions — Detention conditions in Romanian prisons do not observe the European Convention on Human Rights, being indicative of structural dysfunction. Therefore, general measures should be adopted by the state, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday. The European court said Romania had six months to come up with a precise timetable for the introduction of measures meant to solve prison overcrowding and improper detention conditions. By this pilot decision, the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR, has fined Romania some 17,850 Euros, but it does not impose any such measure as pardoning or easing the criminal policy.
Business meeting — The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, said Tuesday that Romania’s worthy position in Europe should and could be gained through achievements, credibility and vision. The president participated in the event entitled “Romania’s President in dialogue with the business environment” held by Romania’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. President Iohannis said that Romania’s development should not be regarded as separate from the current European context, which needs to be reasserted. Romania needs to make a serious and profound choice, in the sense of focusing on competitiveness and entrepreneurial spirit through the education system, President Iohannis also added.
Brexit inter-ministerial council — Romania will remain a friend and ally of Great Britain, irrespective of the UK’s place, outside or inside the EU, said Tuesday the Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu. He made this statement at the first meeting of the inter-ministerial council for Brexit, in the context in which, at the weekend, the European Council will pass the guidelines for the European Commission’s mandate at the future negotiations with Great Britain. According to the Romanian PM, the government’s priority is for Brexit to have as small an impact as possible on the Romanian citizens in the UK.
Transporters’ protest — Romanian transporters will stage protest movements in front of the Government building in Bucharest on Wednesday and Thursday. They deplore the absence of clear legislation meant to sanction the unauthorized activity in the field. Transporters call for outlawing the online technological platforms which provide unauthorised taxi services, outlawing all online platforms which provide undeclared, unauthorised and non-fiscalised passenger transportation services and of all companies which carry out regular transportation activities along routes for which they have not tendered. The transporters say these legal measures are stipulated in the legislation of all European states, which protect their licensed transporters.
Court ruling Dragnea — The magistrates of the Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice decided that on May 23 they would start hearings of defendants in the case in which the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the main party in the governing coalition, the Social Democratic Party, is charged with instigation to abuse in office. According to the prosecutors of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, Dragnea, in his capacity of president of the Teleorman county council (in the south) intervened for maintaining the jobs and pays of two women who allegedly worked for the Social Assistance and Child Protection General Directorate of Teleorman county, while they were actually employed by the local organization of the Social Democratic Party. In another development, Dragnea’s two-year suspended sentence which he received in the “Referendum’ case is valid. On Monday, the High Court of Cassation and Justice rejected Liviu Dragnea’s request to cancel the sentence, the court’s ruling being definitive. Rights, ECHR, has fined Romania some 17,850 Euros, but it does not impose any such measure as pardoning or easing the criminal policy.
Luxembourg — The Romanian Minister Delegate for European Funds, Rovana Plumb, on Tuesday participated in Luxembourg in the meeting of the General Affairs (Cohesion) Council. On the occasion, the Romanian official said the results of the cohesion policy should become more visible for Romania, through a large-scale information campaign. According to Minister Plumb, for Romania, the cohesion policy represents the most important investment policy, which generates economic growth, regional and local development. She also added that it was important for each citizen to be informed on the way in which European funds were invested in local communities.
Drills — Constanta (in the southeast of Romania) is hosting Romanian-British naval drills. The frigate King Ferdinand and the British destroyer HMS Daring on Tuesday held joint drills meant to counteract air attacks and to achieve refueling maneuvers. The British ship will dock at the passenger terminal of the port of Constanta for two days. During this period, the commander of the British ship will meet with the Romanian Fleet Command representatives and with local authorities in Constanta, while the Romanian and British marines will participate in joint military drills aimed at developing specific procedures for the missions of inspection and control of the ships suspected of illegal activities at sea. For the first time, two young officers with the Romanian Navy will board the British destroyer for one week, to participate, as watch officers, in the missions the ship will undertake in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. (news translated by L. Simion)
