March 25, 2014
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România Internațional, 25.03.2014, 12:01
The president of Romania, Traian Basescu, and the US vice-president, Joe Biden, had consultations on measures to support Ukraine after Russia’s absorbing the Crimean Peninsula. In a telephone conversation, they discussed strengthening sanctions against Moscow, should it carry on its aggressive actions. According to a news release issued by the White House, quoted by Radio Romania’s correspondent in the US, vice-president Biden reiterated Washington’s commitment to the security of NATO member countries. We remind you that Traian Basescu is taking part in the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague, on the sidelines of which a meeting was held of the G7 leaders. They decided to give up the G8 format, which included Moscow, and warned new sactions would be initiated if Russia makes headway into Ukraine’s pro-Russian south and east regions.
A European Union delegation headed by the European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle, will be on an official visit to Ukraine starting today. The EU officials will have meetings with prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and other ministers in his pro-Western cabinet, and discuss the emergency financial aid package aimed at ensuring Ukraine’s macroeconomic stability. The agenda also includes opening the European market to Ukrainian exporters and eliminating visa requirements between Ukraine and the EU. Meanwhile, the permanent representative of the Ukrainian president in Crimea, Serhiy Kunitsyn, announced his resignation, in disappointment with Kiev’s passive attitude as to the situation in the Peninsula. He said that, whereas the Ukrainian troops are disarmed by the Russians, the leaders in Kiev only hold meetings.
Chisinau hosts today a meeting of the Republic of Moldova — EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, in the context of the political crisis generated by Russia and the initiatives of the authorities in the breakaway region of Transdniestr in the east of Moldova. The meeting is co-chaired by the Romanian MEP, Monica Macovei. According to a news release issued by the Parliament of Moldova, the MEPs are also to meet Moldovan political leaders and to visit Transdnietr. The agenda of talks will include the cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Moldova and the situation of schools teaching the Latin alphabet in Transdniestr, which are subject to pressure from the authorities in Tiraspol.
China will be involved in the construction of a high-speed railway route between Bucharest and Constanta, under an agreement signed in Beijing by the Romanian deputy prime minister, Liviu Dragnea, and the vice-president of the National Development and Reform Commission in China, Zhang Xiaoqiang. The Romanian official is on a visit to China until tomorrow. In a meeting yesterday with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Gaoli, Liviu Dragnea said Romania wishes to strengthen its cooperation with China in fields such as economy, trade, electricity, transport and farming. In turn, Zhang Gaoli said Beijing was willing to work with Bucharest to improve China’s cooperation with Central and East Europe and to promote the global strategic partnership between China and Europe.
Actor Victor Rebengiuc, soprano Angela Gheorghiu and violinist Razvan Stoica are the main winners of the Radio Romania Culture Gala, held on Monday in Bucharest. Awards were also granted to poet Dan Sociu, musician Nicu Alifantis and film director Calin Peter Netzer. The award for education went to a judicial education project implemented by the Bucharest Service for Crime Analysis and Prevention.
“Child’s Pose”, by director Călin Peter Netzer, won the trophy for best film in the 8th Gopo Awards Gala, viewed as the Romanian “Oscars.” Călin Peter Netzer was awarded for best director, and the film won most of the awards, including the one for best script, Răzvan Rădulescu and Călin Peter Netzer, and for best leading actress, Luminiţa Gheorghiu. “Child’s Pose” was the Romanian film with the highest popularity in 2013. the Gopo award for best leading actor went to Victor Rebengiuc, for his part in “The Japanese Dog” by director Tudor Cristian Jurgiu.
