June 21, 2021

A roundup of domestic and international news

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Newsroom, 21.06.2021, 14:01

Covid-19. Authorities in Bucharest have announced today 26 new cases of coronavirus infection in more than 9,400 tests performed. Also, 4 Covid-19 related deaths were reported. Currently, there are 158 patients in intensive care. The week that has just ended marked the best evolution of the pandemic in Romania since March 2020. During the peak of the last wave of infections in spring, there were almost 40,000 new cases per week. In contrast, the pace of the immunization campaign remains low, with only 6,125 people taking the first dose or the single dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in 24 hours. It is the lowest level since mid-February. The number of those immunized with the complete scheme exceeds 4,355,000.

Holy Trinity. Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics in Romania celebrate, on the second day of Pentecost, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, a day dedicated to Christian monotheism, according to which the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three persons in one Godhead. The Christian tradition attributes to the three divine persons specific works. The Father created the world out of nothing. He alone saved it from sin. The Holy Spirit blesses people who want to have a relationship of faith with God. Faith in the Holy Trinity is a dogma established at the first ecumenical synods in the fourth century, when the wrong theories called heresies, which introduced hierarchy into the Holy Trinity, were fought against. Since then, the Christian faith admits that the three persons of the Trinity are equal and in a relationship of absolute love. Almost 25,000 police, firefighters, gendarmes and border guards were mobilized in Romania to ensure the safe running of public events that take place during Pentecost. The Traffic Police supplemented their staff, especially on the main roads leading to the Black Sea coast or mountain resorts, where most Romanians spend their Pentecost mini-holidays.

EU meeting. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu attends today, in Luxembourg, the meeting of the EU foreign ministers. The participants will analyze, among other things, the latest developments in the Unions relations with Russia, the peace process in the Middle East, as well as the situation in Belarus, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest. On the sidelines of the meeting, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell hosted an informal working brunch with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tihanovskaia. As for Russia, the head of Romanian diplomacy, Bogdan Aurescu, will reiterate the need for a unitary and strategic approach in relation to Moscow. On the other hand, he will emphasize the importance of increased EU support for the democratization and stability of Iraq and will express Romanias support for organizing an EU mission to monitor elections.

Belarus. The EU foreign ministers are to discuss today additional sanctions for Belarus, after the Minsk authorities hijacked a passenger plane to arrest an opposition journalist who was on board the plane. The Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu says in a message on Twitter that extensive economic sanctions are needed, as well as the promotion of an adequate plan for a democratic Belarus. The European ministers will also talk to Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tihanovskaia about supporting civil society.

EURO 2020. Bucharest hosts today the match between Ukraine and Austria, a decisive match for the fate of Euro 2020s Group C. The two teams are fighting for the second straight qualification, the first being already secured by the Netherlands, which plays today against North Macedonia. In the same group, Romanias National Arena hosted the matches Ukraine vs. North Macedonia, score 2 – 1, and Austria vs. Northern Macedonia, score 3 – 1, respectively. Bucharest will also host a a round of 16 game, in which the winner of Group F will play, a group that includes Germany, France, Portugal and Hungary. The last matches of Group B are also scheduled for today. Belgium has already ensured its presence in the round of sixteen, but it could still lose the first place if it is defeated by Finland. In the other match, Russia takes on Denmark. (MI)