December 13, 2013
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news.
Bogdan Matei, 13.12.2013, 12:52
CRIMINAL CODE-Talks are held today at the Romanian Justice Ministry between the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, members of the legal committee and experts of the line ministry on the changes brought to the Criminal Code on Tuesday. The changes have been faced with harsh criticism, as they are granting super-immunity to MPs. The meeting has been convened after the leaders of the Social Liberal Union, the Speaker of the Senate, Crin Antonescu, and Prime Minister Victor Ponta made clear the changes brought to the Criminal Code are interpretable and should be analysed with the institutions which have competence and responsibility in the domain. The Presidency, the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, the Higher Council of the Magistracy as well as the embassies of some western countries have harshly criticised the changes brought to the Criminal Code. The High Court of Cassation and Justice and the Liberal Democratic Party, in opposition, have notified the Constitution Court on the issue.
STRIKE– Romanian freight road carriers continue negotiations on the claims they sent to the line ministry on Tuesday. They include the elimination of the 7 Eurocent excise duty levied on diesel, a reduction of fines, which are considered excessive and the elimination of town entry fees. Early this week, the Romanian government made public its intention to levy a 7 Eurocent excise only on oil and to postpone for three months the implementation of a similar excise on diesel. Representatives of road carriers say however they do not take confidence in this version. On Monday they decided to halt their activity at national level. They threaten to continue their strike for an indefinite period of time, if their claims are not met.
ETHNIC ROMANIANS-The minister for the Romanians around the world, Cristian David, has said Romanian nationals living outside the borders of the country are facing problems in an effort to preserve their national identity and to integrated themselves into their countries of residence. David has said Bucharest authorities are faced with what he called “a new reality” outside the borders of the country, as no less than 6 to 8 million Romanians are living abroad. These Romanian nationals are either members of historical ethnic communities, such as those in Romania’s neighbouring countries or have settled in Western Europe and North America.
UKRAINE– Ukraine is likely to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union very soon- deputy prime minister Serghei Arbuzov has said, fresh from a meeting in Brussels with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Good Neighbourhood, Stefan Füle. In turn, he said that Brussels and Kiev will draft a roadmap to implement the provisions of the EU Association and Free Trade Agreements, respectively. Ukraine will also benefit from EU’s support, in order to sign an agreement with the IMF. Meanwhile, in Kiev, the pro-Western opposition has called on people to take part in a big rally against president Viktor Ianukovici.
SYRIA-A final report drafted by the UN inspectors confirms the assumption that chemical weapons have been used in the civil war in Syria. The attack was carried out near Damascus on August the 21st, leaving hundreds of victims among civilians. According to the report, four such attacks were carried out between March and August. The document does not identify those responsible for the attack, as this is not in the inspectors’ area of competence. We recall that the troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and the rebels have pointed an accusatory finger to one another for using chemical weapons. Started in March 2011, the uprising against the regime in Damascus has left over 125,000 people dead.
HANDBALL-Romania’s National Women Handball team on Thursday evening outperformed Hungary 21-17 and qualified to the quarterfinals of the World Championships in Serbia. Today, the Romanian handballers play the last game, with the Czech Republic. In the first three matches, they defeated Tunisia and Australia and lost to Germany. With 6 points, Romania ranks second, after Germany, with 8 points. We recall that over the years Romania has won three world medals: gold in 1962, silver in 1973 and 2005, respectively. Also, it is the only country to have participated in all final tournaments of the World Championships, as of 1957.
