July 29, 2017
A roundup of domestic and international news
România Internațional, 29.07.2017, 14:18
ROMANIAN ARMY – Romanias Higher Defense Council will convene in Bucharest on Tuesday to discuss the plan for equipping the Romanian army in the 2017 – 2026 period. The plan was built taking into account the commitment that all political parties made in 2015 to allocate 2% of the GDP to defense, for a period of ten years, starting this year. We recall that the latest meeting of the Defense Council was held on July 4th, when the Plan was removed from the agenda of talks, because of a lack of political consensus on the matter.
NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY – Garrisons across the country and theatres of operations abroad celebrate today Romanias National Anthem Day. In a message conveyed on this occasion, Romanias President Klaus Iohannis says that the national anthem, titled Awaken, thee, Romanian! symbolizes the efforts made by Romanians to build a strong and prosperous country. The anthem became official in 1990, but it was sung for the first time during the revolution of 1848 and then in crucial moments in Romanias history, during the first and the second world wars, the War of Independence and the Great Union of 1918. The value of this anthem is embedded in the Constitution of Romania, alongside the national flag, emblem and seal, Klaus Iohannis has also said. He has called on all Romanians to honor this national symbol and to sing it with pride, as a gesture of solidarity and a means of affirming their national identity, unity and patriotism. Romanian embassies, consulates and cultural institutes abroad are also holding events occasioned by National Anthem Day, alongside other events aimed at promoting Romanian traditions and culture.
INCIDENT – Romanias decision to deny access to its airspace for a plane which had the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin on board was a provocation, which put passengers in danger and which will seriously affect bilateral relations, warns the Russian Foreign Ministry, which has presented a protest note and has called for explanations. The Romanian National Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu has termed as inappropriate the Russian officials reaction. We recall that on Friday, the regular flight Moscow – Chisinau was denied access to Romanias air space as on board the plane there was a person on the list of people subject to EU sanctions. The plane eventually landed in the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Dmitri Rogozin was supposed to meet on Friday with the president of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon and with the leader of the separatist regime in Transdniestr, Vadim Krasnoselski.
NORTH KOREA – The EU has condemned the latest missile test conducted by North Korea, describing it as a threat to world peace and security, France Presse reports. According to the EU, the test was a flagrant violation of North Koreas international obligations, stipulated in several UN Security Council resolutions. The Union has called on the Pyongyang regime to refrain from further provocations, which might raise tension at regional and global level. On Friday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, which landed in the Japanese waters, 200 miles from the countrys coast line. The missile flew for 45 minutes and no incidents were reported. The information has been confirmed by the South-Korean army, which say the missile was launched from the province of Jagang, in the north of the country. Pyongyang has described the test as a success and a serious warning to the US.
PASSEX – The Ukranian Naval Forces are these days taking part in PASSEX drills in the Black Sea, alongside ships from NATO member countries: Great Britain, Turkey and Romania. The drills are carried out by the Ukrainian frigate Hatman Sahaidacini, the British destroyer Duncan, the Turkish frigate Yildirim and the Romanian frigate Regele Ferdinand (King Ferdinand). These drills are aimed at improving the participants interoperability. Ukraine and NATO set up a partnership in 1991, shortly after Kiev won its independence from the former Soviet Union. Ukraine cooperates closely with the Alliance and plays and active part in NATOs Partnership for Peace program.
ARTMANIA – Dubbed the Queen of symphonic rock, Tarja returns to Romania after six years to take part in the ARTmania Festival, underway in Sibiu. With an exceptional ambitus, impeccable technique and the spirit of a genuine rocker, the Finish soprano and pianist has won international acclaim as soloist of the Nightwish band. She is performing in Sibiu as part of the tour called The Shadows Show, which she started late last year to promote her latest album The Shadow Self. Many other artists will perform at the festival in Sibiu, including newcomers such as You Me At Six from Great Britain and Beyond the Black from Germany.
EYOF – The Romanian national womens handball team will play the final of the summer edition of the European Youth Olympics Festival, hosted by Gyor, Hungary. On Friday, the Romanian team defeated Russia 30-26. In the final, the Romanian handball players will take on the Hungarian squad. Its for the first time that a team sport in Romania wins a medal at the European Youth Olympics Festival. On Friday, Romania won another two medals. The gymnast Denisa Maria Golgota won silver in the vault event, and judoka George Eduard Serban won bronze in the 90 kg category. So far, Romania has won five medals: two silver and three bronze. Romania is taking part in this years games with 77 athletes. In 2015 in Tbilisi Romania won 10 medals: three gold, five silver and two bronze.
