August 26, 2014
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.
Ştefan Stoica, 26.08.2014, 12:00
VISIT — Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Wednesday is paying a visit to the Republic of Moldova where he will attend the opening of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, together with his Moldovan counterpart Iurie Leanca. Aimed at reducing Moldova’s dependency on Russian gas imports, the pipeline will link Romania and Moldova’s natural gas networks. Ponta’s visit will coincide with the celebration of 23 years since Moldova emerged as an independent state. On August 27, 1991, following the failed neo-Bolshevik coup in Moscow, hundreds of thousands of Moldovans gathered in front of the Parliament building, voting the declaration of independence from the USSR.
IMMIGRATION — Since the beginning of the year over 450 foreign citizens were reported as illegal immigrants in Bucharest, the General Immigration Inspectorate has announced. Most illegal immigrants originate from the Middle East and Northern Africa, from countries such as Turkey, Syria, Tunisia and Iraq, but also from the Republic of Moldova. Over half of them have been expelled, while the other half managed to extend their legal stay permit.
UKRAINE — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko might meet today in Minsk, Belarus, on the sideline of an emergency regional meeting, aimed at discussing the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Representing the European Union will the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, European Commission Energy Vice-President Gunther Oettinger and EU Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht. Official sources quoted by the press say the meeting will analyse economic aspects of Ukraine’s accession to the EU free trade area, as well as cooperation with the members of the Customs Union, currently dominated by Russia. On Monday, Petro Poroshenko dissolved Parliament and called for early elections, to be held on October 26. Controlled by people loyal to former pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovich, Parliament opposed several reform projects proposed by Arseny Yatsnyuk’s pro-Western Cabinet. Meanwhile, pro-Russian rebels on the ground claim they have mounted a large-scale counter-offensive against Ukrainian Government forces, which Kiev claims to have suppressed.
GAZA — Israel this morning has mounted a new assault on Islamist Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. At least two people were killed and another 20 were wounded in the air strikes. The attack follows the efforts of Egyptian mediators of persuading the two sides to agree on a long-term ceasefire in Gaza. Over 2,000 people were killed since Israel launched the attack earlier this year. Palestinian militants have in turn launched air strikes on Israel, killing 64 Israeli soldiers and four civilians.
GOVERNMENT IN FRANCE — France is currently facing the worst political deadlock since Socialist Francois Hollande took power in 2012. The president has charged Prime Minister Manuel Valls to come up with a new Cabinet, after the Prime Minister on Monday presented the resignation of the Cabinet following internal dissension over the economic problems of the country. Former Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg and Education Minister Benoit Hamon have harshly criticized the austerity measures introduced against the backdrop of feeble economic growth and rising unemployment.
TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea is today playing Heather Watson of the UK in the first round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the year hosted by Flushing Meadow arena in New York. Also today Monica Niculescu is taking on Iaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan. WTA 2nd ranked Simona Halep on Monday eased past Danielle Collins and will play Jana Chepalova of Slovakia in the second round. Alexandra Dulgheru has edged out Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and will play against Maria Sharapova of Russia. Another Romanian player Irina Begu won against Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain and will play Roberta Vinci in the next round.
FOOTBALL — Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest have arrived in Sofia where they are due to meet Ludogoretz Razgrad, the champions of Bulgaria, in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs. In the first leg played in Bucharest Steaua grabbed a narrow 1-nil win. In the Europa League playoffs, Astra Giurgiu on Thursday will play French champions Olympique Lyon. In the first leg last week Astra pulled a surprising 2-1 away win. In the same competition Petrolul from Ploiesti will travel to Zagreb to meet the Croatian champions Dinamo. In the first leg last week Petrolul lost 1-3 at home.
