February 15, 2015 UPDATE
For a roundup of domestic and international events, click here.
Florentin Căpitănescu, 15.02.2015, 12:15
TERRORIST ATTACKS — President Klaus Iohannis has firmly condemned the terrorist attacks in Copenhagen, re-asserting Romania’s support for counter-terrorist actions. The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has also condemned the attacks, calling on the EU to stand united in face of terrorism and extremism. The Danish Prime Minister spoke about the terrorist attacks, while the United States, France, the United Kingdom and EU leaders have firmly condemned them. Danish authorities are now on high alert after two terrorist attacks in Copenhagen which killed two people and wounded at least another five. The police on Sunday shot dead the alleged perpetrator of the two attacks after the latter opened fire on police officers that had his house monitored in a Danish capital district with a majority immigrant residence. The BBC writes that Saturday’s first attack killed on person and wounded another three in a coffee shop playing host to a debate on freedom of speech. In the second attack a Jewish man was killed and another two police officers wounded close to the main synagogue in Copenhagen. There are similarities between Saturday’s attack and January’s attacks on “Charlie Hebdo” satirical magazine in Paris, Reuters reports.
CEASEFIRE — The ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine, which came into effect on Saturday night, is generally being observed by both authorities in Kiev and pro-Russian separatists. The army on Sunday announced that rebels had bombed key positions of the Ukrainian army after the ceasefire came into effect. On Saturday, Romanian Defence Minister Mircea Dusa expressed hope that the agreement signed on Thursday in Minsk between Government forces and pro-Russian militias would be observed. Dusa reiterated Bucharest’s hope for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Over 5,500 people have been killed in Eastern Ukraine since the conflict broke out last year.
AWARD — Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude won the Silver Bear for directing for his feature film “Aferim!” at the 65th edition of the Film Festival in Berlin. The film was premiered worldwide during the international film competition. In the same category a second Silver Bear prize was awarded to Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska for the feature film “Body”. The Golden Bear award this year went to “Taxi”, a film directed by Jafar Panahi of Iran. Tom Courtenay scooped the award for best actor for his role in “45 Years” directed by Andrew Haigh, while Charlotte Rampling got the award for best actress for her part in the same film.
MOLDOVA — Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti has appointed Liberal-Democrat Chiril Gaburici, nominated by the Liberal-Democrat and Democrat minority coalition as the country’s new Prime Minister. A former director of one of Moldova’s main telecom companies, Gaburici must obtain Parliament’s vote of confidence within the next 15 days. His nomination follows after Parliament on Thursday rejected the political platform and Cabinet structure of acting Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, nominated by the aforementioned coalition. Following the elections of November 30, 2014, the Liberal-Democrats and the Democrats hold only 42 of the total of 101 seats in Parliament, and need the votes of their former pro-European partners the Liberals in order to swear in their Cabinet, or the votes of the pro-Russian communists. If Parliament fails to vote in the new Cabinet by March 9, Moldova will host snap parliamentary elections.
2015 NGT AWARDS — Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi of Iasi, eastern Romania won the grand prize in the 2015 National Geographic Traveller awards. She shot the prize-winning photo in Comanesti, Bacau County, during a winter festival. National Geographic Traveller launched its annual photo contest in September 2014 divided in six categories. Dragoi’s picture scooped 1st prize in the “People” category. Currently studying in London, Dragoi has several other awards on her record sheet, being the first Romanian photographer to win a trophy in the Sony World Photography Awards Gala held two years ago.
GREECE — Greece is not ready to conclude a new financial assistance plan of the type signed with the EU and the IMF, the Government in Athens announced on Sunday. Also on Sunday a new series of manifestations were held to support the Government led by Alexis Tsipras. The events take place ahead of a new round of negotiations scheduled to take place in Brussels between Greek officials and Eurozone Finance Ministers on rescheduling Greece’s outstanding foreign debt, which is now tantamount to 175% of the country’s GDP. According to the latest opinion poll, most Greeks support the pragmatic politics advocated by Prime Minister Tsipras in his negotiations with international lenders. The new Cabinet in Athens has so far refused to extend Greece’s financial assistance agreement, which is set to expire at the end of the month.
VISIT — Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday is paying an official visit to Slovakia, responding to an invitation extended by his counterpart Miroslav Lajcak. Aurescu’s agenda also includes talks with Slovakian president Andrej Kiska and Prime Minister Robert Fico. Talks will focus on hot topics on the European agenda, regional and international security, with a focus on energy secutirty and the Ukrainian crisis. The European aspirations of Moldova and NATO-Russia relations will also be tackled by the Romanian diplomat.
TENNIS — The pair made up of Romanian Horia Tecau and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands won Sunday’s doubles tournament in Rotterdam, totalling 1.5 million dollars in prize money. In the finals, the two outperformed Jamie Murray of the UK and John Peers of Australia. This is the 11th final for Tecau and Rojer, who have so far won 9 trophies together.
