August 22, 2018
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 22.08.2018, 13:02
NATIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL – The Romanian coalition Government has called
for an urgent meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense to endorse the
latest budget adjustment. According to a communiqué issued by the Government,
formed by the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats, the request was submitted to president Klaus Iohannis. The
announcement was made after on Tuesday the leader of the Social Democratic
Party, Liviu Dragnea, accused the head of state of trying to block the
adjustment by not summoning the Defense Council. Also on Tuesday, the
presidency informed that the secretariat of the Supreme Council of National
Defense was trying to get the individual approval of the members of the Council
regarding the proposed budgets for the institutions dealing with national
security. According to the Government, the adjustment is needed in order to
provide the necessary money for salaries, social welfare, the payment of
Romania’s contribution to the EU budget, local budgets and measures to combat
the African swine fever.
COOPERATION – Romania and Slovakia support the EU’s traditional
policies within the future multi-annual financial framework, said in Bratislava on Tuesday
the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu at the annual meeting of the
Slovak diplomacy. He stated that Slovakia will support Romania during its
presidency of the Council of the EU, in the first half of 2019. Minister
Melescanu also stressed the importance of rendering the activity of European
institutions and decision-makers more effective, in order to first meet the
expectations and priorities of the EU citizens. Teodor Melescanu has stated
that his visit coincided with the celebration of 50 years since the reprisal of
the Prague Spring and has recalled that Romania was the only country in the
communist block that did not take part in the invasion of Czechoslovakia
decided by the Soviet Union.
AFGHANISTAN – 23 Romanian gendarmes have left on a 6-month mission in
Afghanistan, to train, advise and assist the Afghan institutions and security
forces. The head of the contingent, colonel Dragos Buzoianu, with a vast
expertise in international missions, was also appointed adviser to the Chief of
Staff of the Afghan National Police. So far, the Romanian Gendarmerie has
deployed 8 contingents in Afghanistan. Also, Romanian gendarmes are
participating in 9 missions under the aegis of the EU, the UN and the OSCE.
PRINCE CHARLES – Prince Charles of Great Britain supports financially the
restoration of a medieval church in a village in Hunedoara, western Romania.
The church is a historical monument built in the 14th century and
requires repair works, estimated to cost approximately 6,500 Euro. Works are
due to start in September, under the program called ‘Ambulance for Monuments’,
which Prince Charles supports constantly. Since 2016, 15 monuments in the west
and centre of Romania have been refurbished under this program. We recall that
Prince Charles has several properties in Romania, which he visits on a regular
basis.
PROETNICA FEST – The town of Sighisoara, in
central Romania, is hosting the 16th Intercultural Festival
ProEtnica. The event organized as part of the European Year of Cultural
Heritage is attended by some 600 representatives of national minorities. Until
Sunday, some 50 groups and ensembles representative for the 20 national
minorities living in Romania will be performing on the festival’s stages, in
the only inhabited medieval fortress in south-eastern Europe. The festival also
includes a science section, film screenings and art exhibitions, as well as stands
of products made by craftspeople.
SWINE FEVER – Some 5000 wild boars in the areas where outbreaks of
African swine fever have been confirmed are to be hunted down. The decision was
made after the sanitary-veterinary authorities confirmed new outbreaks, as the
virus was further spread by wild boars. Currently there are more than 600
outbreaks in more than 100 towns and villages in 9 counties across Romania.
Thousands of pigs have been culled, both in private households and farms.
Specialists say there is no danger for food safety.
SIMONA HALEP – According to Forbes Magazine, with 7.7 million dollars,
the Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, no. 1 in the WTA standings, ranks 8th
among the players with the highest incomes this year. She has won the Grand
Slam in France, at the Roland Garros and also another two WTA tournaments.
Besides the prizes awarded at these competitions, Simona has received an
important amount of money from sponsorships. The classification is topped by
the US tennis player Serena Williams, with 18.1 million dollars.
