December 2, 2017 UPDATE
Romania received messages of congratulations on its National Day, Romanias womens handball team defeated the team of Paraguay 29-17
Newsroom, 02.12.2017, 19:20
Messages on December 1 — Romania received messages of congratulations from abroad on the occasion of its national day marked on December 1. The Moldovan PM Pavel Filip thanked Romania for the permanent and unconditional support granted to the neighboring Republic of Moldova, with a majority Romanian-speaking population. He underscored that during 2017 the two countries’ relations of friendship and cooperation deepened. The American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated that Washington was thankful to Bucharest for their strategic partnership and their cooperation in fulfilling the common goals of prosperity, security and democracy. Romania also received congratulations from the Republican congressman Michael Turner who thanked Bucharest on behalf of the Friendship Group for Romania within the American Congress, for the permanent cooperation in consolidating the two countries’ 137 year-old-relation. Republican Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, congratulated Romania in an Internet post. He said that Romania made remarkable progress in strengthening democracy and that it was a model in the region and in the world for the efforts in fighting corruption. Romania’s National Day was marked both in the country and abroad. In Bucharest the focus of the National Day was the military parade which involved the participation of as many as 3,500 military and experts with the National Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Romanian Intelligence Service with more than 350 military equipment, of which 50 airplanes, as well as soldiers from several allied or partner countries.
Holiday — Romanians have been on holiday since November 30th, a national holiday when Saint Andrew was also celebrated, followed by December 1, Romania’s National Day. For this extended weekend most Romanians have chosen local destinations, their favorites being the resorts on the Prahova Valley, the Southern Carpathians, Bukovina in the north as well as the spa resorts. Those who remained in Bucharest could enjoy, on Friday evening, the start of the winter celebrations marked by the switching on of the festive street lighting, whose theme was inspired this year by the Romanian traditions. Over 3 million Christmas lights adorn the capital, the festive lighting system covering 33 kms. A Christmas Fair was also inaugurated in downtown Bucharest, to last until December 27. The Fair displays Romanian traditional food products in more than 100 stalls and also a skating rink. Many Romanian artists will perform as part of the Christmas Fair celebrations in Bucharest.
Fire — The Romanian Foreign Ministry officials inform that the Romanian citizens who were in the building that caught fire on Friday in the German town of Bergkamen (northwest) are safe and sound. The Foreign Ministry through Romania’ General Consulate in Bonn continues to monitor the case and keeps in permanent contact with both the Romanian citizens affected by the fire and the local authorities that opened an investigation. According to the Presidential Administration, the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis expects the investigation to urgently shed light on the circumstances of the fire. Over 30 people who inhaled smoke were taken to hospital, but they were subsequently discharged.
Handball — Romania’s women’s handball team on Saturday defeated 29-17 the team of Paraguay in their debut match at the World Women’s Handball Championship hosted by Germany until December 17th. On Sunday the Romanian handballers will take on the team of Slovenia. Romania will play in Group A alongside France, Spain, Slovenia, Angola and Paraguay. Of the 4 groups, the first 4 teams of each group will go to the eighth finals. In the previous World Championship of 2015 Romania won the bronze medal, being the only team to have participated in all the 22 editions of the championship held so far.
Visa waiver — The Romanian citizens can travel without visas to Canada, as of December 1, for stays of 6 months at the most, for tourist purposes, based on a valid passport. Also as of December 1 they can find online the application for obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorization, eTA, which they need in case they travel to Canada by plane. This authorization can only be obtained online and it is compulsory for all foreign citizens who don’t need a visa for Canada. Those who travel to Canada by sea or land need just a valid passport.
Weightlifting — The Romanian athlete Loredana Toma has won three gold medals in the 63 kg bodyweight category at the World Weightlifting Championship in Anaheim, California. Toma won in the Snatch defeating Maude Charron of Canada and Lina Marcela Rivas Ordonez of Columbia. In the Clean and Jerk the Romanian came first, being followed by the Thai athlete Rattanawan Wamalun and Lina Marcela Rivas Ordonez (Columbia). In the overall classification Loredana Toma is gold medal winner, silver went to Lina Marcela Rivas Ordonez of Columbia and bronze to another Columbian, Mercedes Isabel Perez Tigrero. At the 2011 World Weightlifting Championship Romanian Roxana Cocoş won bronze in the Clean and Jerk.
Moscow — The delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarch Daniel was received Saturday by Patriarch Kiril of Moscow and of entire Russia, according to basilica.ro. Patriarch Daniel will be in Moscow between 2nd and 5th of December on the occasion of the festivities marking 100 years since the re-establishment of the Patriarchate institution within the Russian Orthodox Church.
Chisinau — Several thousand people participated Saturday in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, in the Union March, dedicated to the anniversary of 99 years since the Great Union of the Romanian Principalities on December 1, 1918. The march started in downtown Chisinau and ended at the former building of the Country Council where on March 27, 1918 the union of Bessarabia with Romania was voted for. (news translated by Lacramioara Simion)
