December 22, 2022

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 22.12.2022, 13:55

REVOLUTION
– Events commemorating the anti-communist revolution of 1989 continue today in
Romania. Religious ceremonies and laying of flowers will be held in all major
cities across Romania. December 22, 1989 was the day when tens of thousands of
people took to the streets and forced dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu to flee the
country in a helicopter that took off from the building of the former Central
Committee. The revolution that toppled the communist regime broke out in the
capital city on December 21 with a huge rally staged by Nicolae Ceaușescu, who
thus hoped to appease the population and stay in power. The rally turned
violent and the memory of the heroes who were killed that day was honored
yesterday by means of ceremonies and laying of flowers in emblematic venues.
President Klaus Iohannis paid a floral tribute at the roadside cross in
University Square, also observing a moment of silence. We recall the spark that
ignited the 1989 anti-communist revolution was lit in Timișoara, western
Romania. The revolution quickly spread to Bucharest and other cities. Overall,
1,000 people were killed and some 3,000 wounded in clashes with the security
forces. Romania is the only country in Eastern Europe where the transition from
communism resulted in bloodshed.

VISIT -
The Romanian delegation comprising Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and Chamber of
Deputies speaker, Marcel Ciolacu, continues its visit to South Korea. Romania
seeks to develop major economic projects jointly with Korean businesses in key
fields such as transports, energy, defense, IT, ITNs( IT and Network Solutions)
and semi-conductors. In fact, more Korean corporations have invested in the
American project designed to develop modular reactors, which Romania is
expected to implement in a few years. The defense industry will be the focus of
today’s talks, after yesterday the officials discussed energy-related topics.
The two Romanian officials will also meet with the leadership of two companies,
Hanwha Aerospace, which offers defense solutions, and Hyundai Rotem,
specializing in the manufacturing of rolling stock, military equipment and
plant engineering. Yesterday, during their meeting with Prime Minister Han
Duck-soo in Seoul, the two officials exchanged views regarding ways of managing
the situation generated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, regional security
and NATO’s cooperation with South Korea. Also yesterday, Marcel Ciolacu and
Nicolae Ciucă met with representatives of the Romanian community in South
Korea. The Romanian Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the way
Romanians have succeeded in integrating in Korean society, while at the same
time preserving their Romanian identity, culture and values. On Friday, the
Romanian delegation, which comprises several ministers, will visit the
demilitarized zone separating South Korea from North Korea.

WAR IN
UKRAINE – Support for Ukraine is not an act of charity, but an investment
in global security and democracy, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky said
in a speech before the US Congress. The Kyiv leader also called for maintaining
support for Ukraine. Washington is by far Ukraine’s most important weapons
supplier, and American equipment delivered to Ukraine, such as Javelin
anti-tank systems or HIMARS missile launchers, have been instrumental in
repelling Russian attacks. On this occasion, the United States have promised a
new assistance package worth 1.85 billion USD, which includes an anti-air
missile system, requested by Ukraine a while ago, considering that cities and
infrastructure are constantly targeted by Russian shelling. During his meeting
with president Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky said it will take more Patriot
systems to fend off Russian attacks. Zelensky’s surprise visit to Washington occurred
300 days since the start of Russia’s invasion, and was his first visit abroad
since the start of the war on February 24.

DIASPORA
– Over December 22-23, Bucharest is hosting the conference titled Romania
beyond the borders, organized by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians
(AUR). The meeting with representatives of Romanian communities abroad is
designed to identify clear-cut and realistic solutions to some of the problems
facing the Romanian diaspora today. The conference will put up for debate a few
of the most important measures and decisions Romania needs to take with respect
to Romanians living abroad: boosting the number of polling stations abroad to
provide Romanians with real chances of casting their vote, providing
unconditional protection to every Romanian citizens abroad, introducing
dedicated classes of Romanian language, culture and history addressing children
and young people living abroad by cooperating with Bucharest authorities and
host countries, as well as making more consular staff available and providing
them with special training. Other measures include simplifying proceedings for
unlocking activities in Romania’s representative offices abroad or opening
community centers in the Diaspora that should hire qualified staff to provide
legal and administrative counseling. (VP)