July 17, 2019
ennis star Simona Halep presents today to the Romanian public the trophy she won at Wimbledon, the first in the country's history; In June, Romania had the highest annual rate of inflation of the EU member states, with a growth of 3.9%in consumer prices
Ștefan Baciu, 17.07.2019, 13:55
TENNIS — WTA number 4 tennis player Simona Halep today presents her Wimbledon Trophy to the Romanian public as part of an event staged on the National Arena in Bucharest. Simona Halep has brought the first ever Wimbledon singles title to Romania. We recall that Romanian tennis legend Ilie Nastase twice failed to win the trophy, as in 1972 he lost to USA challenger Stan Smith, then was defeated by Sweden’s Bjorn Borg in 1976. Halep said her next goal is winning of a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020, where she will be flag bearer for the Romanian delegation. President Klaus Johaniss will bestow the Romanian state’s highest distinction on Simona Halep, the Star of Romania in the Rank of Knight. At the same time, the BRD Bucharest Open is in full swing in Romania’s capital city Bucharest. The tournament has 250,000 USD in prize money.
INFLATION – In June, Romania had the highest annual rate of inflation of the EU member states, with a growth of 3.9%in consumer prices. This figure is lower than the 4.4% registered in May, according to official European data. This is the sixth consecutive month when Romania has the highest inflation in the EU. Previous official statistical data show that the annual rate of inflation went down to 3.84% in June. The Romanian National Bank upped its forecast for inflation for the end of the year to 4.2%, estimating 3.3% for 2020.
MOLDOVA – Moldovan premier Maia Sandu said that her country wants to be accepted as a trusted member in the European Union, with functional democratic institutions, at a press conference on Tuesday held jointly with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. According to Radio Chisinau, Maia Sandu added that the executive she leads has a complicated mission, and that she pleads for appointing politically unaffiliated professionals to key state institutions. Chancellor Merkel suggested that the government in Chisinau step up its anti-corruption efforts, with enhanced transparency in the running of state institutions.
EU — The PM of Finland, Antti Rinne, submits in Strasbourg the priorities for its presidency of the Council of the European Union. Romania, previously holding the position, had as its main priority cohesion, while Finland will pursue European sustainability promoted under the premise of a sustainable Europe and a sustainable future. The Finnish presidency intends to consolidate common values and the rule of law, increasing competitiveness and social inclusion, consolidating the EUs position as world leader in combating climate change, as well as the security of its citizens. Also today, EuroMPs discuss humanitarian aid for migrants and asylum seekers that enter Europe through the Mediterranean. On Tuesday, in Parliament in Strasbourg, Romanian PM Viorica Dancila submitted a summary of her countrys presidency of the Council of the European Union, while German government minister Ursula von der Leyen takes over the presidency of the EC as the first woman to hold the position.
AUTOMOTIVE — The Romanian automotive market had the second highest growth in Europe after Lithuania, with over 70,000 vehicles registered, a 19% rate of growth over the first half of last year. Renault, the French automaker, the biggest producer of cars in Romania, had a drop in sales in June, however. Renault took over the formerly state owned Dacia car factory in 1999, and became a major European seller with the Logan series of consumer cars in 2004. According to official sources, car sales in Europe dropped in June by 7.9% in June this year as against 2018.
FOOTBALL — Romania’s football champions CFR Cluj on home turf today take on Kazakhstan’s Astana. The fixture counts as the second leg of the Champions League’s inaugural round. We recall CFR Cluj sustained a nil-one away defeat last week. The return games of Europa League’s first preliminary round are played this week as well. Vice champions FCSB travel to Republic of Moldova for a game against Milsami Orhei, after a 2-nil home win, while CSU Craiova receive the visit of FK Sabail, a team they defeated 3-2 away from home. Winners of the Romanian Cup in football Viitorul Constanta play straight in Europa League’a second preliminary round. Viitorul are pitted against Belgian side FC Anvers, head-coached by former Romanian international footballer Ladislau Boloni.
