July 9, 2014
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Corina Cristea, 09.07.2014, 12:14
The Constitutional Court has ruled no legal row occurred between the Government and the president of Romania, Traian Basescu. Romania’s Supreme Court today has analysed the notification submitted by Prime Minister Victor Ponta to that effect, and the Court’s decision was unanimous. The legal conflict targeted Romania’s representation at the European Council in June, since Victor Ponta claimed Basescu was seeking to take responsibilities and competencies which, according to the Constitution, lie with the government. In his notification, Victor Ponta stated he did not deny the president the right to represent Romania at the meetings organized by the European Council, but he questioned the dictatorial and arbitrary way in which Basescu has opted to work with the Parliament and the Government. We recall the country’s fundamental law rules that the government guarantees the ensuing responsibilities of Romania’s accession to the European Union.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has strongly advised Romanian citizens to avoid travelling to Israel and the Palestinian territories these days, given the recent security issues in the Middle East. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with the terrorist groups in Gaza, Israel has decided to recall around 40 thousand reservists, also taking into account the possibility of a ground forces intervention in the Hamas-controlled region. More than 100 missiles have been launched, targeting several urban centres in Israel, which triggered a stronger reply from the Israeli army, mainly targeting the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. The Hamas Islamist movement has claimed responsibility for the missile attack targeting the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. Twelve Palestinians were killed and 80 other were wounded Tuesday, in Israel’s raids of the Gaza Strip, in retaliation for the Palestinian missile attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the military operation would be a long-lasting one, while Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has called for the operation to be aborted, according to Radio Romania’s correspondent in the region.
Two-time world champion Argentina and three-time World Cup finalist the Netherlands today will be playing the second semifinals of the World Football Cup in Brazil In the first semifinal on Tuesday, Germany sank five-time World Cup winner Brazil, with a stunning 7-1 win and made headway into the finals, to be played this coming Sunday. Germany won the world title in 1954, 1974 and 1990. German striker Miroslav Klose has become the all-time goal-getter of the World Football Cup, as in the game against Brazil he scored his 16th goal.
The Russian Federation Council today has ratified the agreement between the Russian and Cuban governments, whereby the authorities in Moscow have waived Cuba’s external debt, worth 32 billion dollars. The origin of the debt lay with the loans Cuba made during the period of the former Soviet Union. According to the agreement signed in Moscow in October 2013, the outstanding loan-generated debts account for 35.2 billion dollars, or thereabouts. The document rules that 90 percent of the 32-billion dollars debt should be waived, while the rest of 10 per cent should be paid in installments over a ten-year period, through equal quarterly payments, according to timetable The first such payment should be made in October, while the last one is scheduled for April 2014.
Romania is a serious partner and ally the Americans and the North Atlantic Alliance can always rely on — Romania’s Defence Minister Mirces Dusa has stated today, at the meeting with the newly-appointed charge d’ affaires of the United States to Bucharest, Dean R. Thompson, and with the outgoing US charge d’affaires Duane Butcher. Dusa has hailed the excellent bilateral cooperation in the field of defence, based on the Strategic Partnership Bucharest signed with Washington. Romania’s Defense Minister has also reiterated the commitment the Romanian army has made to be stationed in Afghanistan alongside its allies, as part of the Resolute Support mission backing the afghan forces. In turn, the US officials have hailed the excellent relation between the two armies, as well as the progress that has been made with respect to placing components of the US anti-missile shield in the southern Romanian locality of Deveselu. Also high on the bilateral talks agenda were the situation in the region and NATO priorities ahead of the Alliance’s summit in September in Wales.
The Romanian lady tennis player, WTA 3rd seed Simona Halep today will be playing her debut match in the BRD Bucharest Open, the first WTA tournament Romania plays host to, with 250,000 Dollars prize money at stake. The main favourite to winning the tournament, Halep will be facing Indie de Vroome from the Netherlands. For Simona Halep, the BRD Bucharest Open is the first tournament she will be taking part in, after the semi-finals in Wimbledon. Also representing Romania are four other lady tennis players. Irina Begu will be taking on Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, Monica Niculescu will be proving her mettle against Bulgaria’s Elita Kostova, Alexandra Dulgheru will go against Roberta Vinci of Italy, while Cristina Dinu will be taking on Kristina Kucova of Slovakia.
