March 31, 2021

Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 31.03.2021, 13:55

WB Romania’s economy is supposed to
witness a 4.3% growth this year after last year’s contraction of 3.9% says the
latest World Bank report published on Wednesday. According to the same report,
the economic growth would be supported by the improved economic activity in the
second half of 2021. This economic growth will also depend on the success of
the vaccination rollout, the political response to the medical crisis as well
as by the EU performances. World Bank also expects a 4.1% economic growth for
the next year with an inflation rate around 3% in 2021 and of 3.2% in 2022.
Inflation is expected to go down to 2.9% in 2023.

COVID-19 Authorities in Bucharest have
again pointed out that only through vaccination and observance of the
prevention rules will Romania be able to get rid of the pandemic. According to
physician Andreea Moldovan, state secretary with the Health Ministry, the third
wave is different than the others, with a higher number of cases and increased gravity.
In her opinion, if the prevention measures are relaxed and ignored by the
people, they should remain in force for a longer period of time. Over 62
hundred fresh Covid-19 infections were reported in Romania on Tuesday out of
the roughly 30 thousand tests conducted. The total number of infections since
the outbreak in Romania exceeds 946 thousand with a death toll of 23,400. 175
new fatalities were reported on Tuesday and a record number of 1,405 people
were in intensive care. In another development, the national vaccination
rollout is in full swing in Romania with over 2 million vaccinated; half of
them with the booster dose. The coordinator of the national vaccination rollout
programme, physician Valeriu Gheorghita on Tuesday announced that over 3.3
million doses are expected in Romania in April, including the first batch of
160 thousand Johnson & Johnson single-shot jabs. The vaccination
capabilities are also to increase in the next month with another 156 centers
and mobile units. Family physicians are also expected to join the vaccination
efforts.

PROTESTS For the third time in a row, Bucharest
and several big cities across Romania on Tuesday saw large-scale protests
against the anti-Covid measures imposed by the authorities. Chanting
anti-government slogans, the protesters called on the authorities to cancel the
compulsory wear of masks and reopen gyms and fitness facilities. Romanian
president Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday said that he understands the discontent of
the Romanians after a year of restrictions, adding these measures are the only
means that can help Romania to contain the pandemic. The Romanian president
also said that protests are normal in a functional democracy but violence,
extremism and xenophobia are intolerable and completely unacceptable. The
president’s statement came after some violent protests in some of Romania’s
cities. Opposition leader Marcel Ciolacu said that people took to the streets out
of poverty and despair caused by the ongoing medical crisis.

TALKS The Foreign Ministers of the USA
and Romania, Antony Blinken and Bogdan Aurescu respectively on Tuesday talked
on the phone over Romania’s contribution to NATO, energy security and the rule
of law. Washington praised Romania for being a staunch NATO ally and for its
commitment to strengthening security at the Black Sea, while Bucharest gave
assurances these approaches would continue. The two officials also tackled the
developing bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and the efforts
of diversifying gas supplies in Europe. Minister Aurescu mentioned the priority
of Romania’s government concerning the country’s OECD accession and voiced his
conviction that the US would support Romania’s intention. He also highlighted
the interest for the rapid advance in the Visa Waiver programme and an
increased US military presence in Romania.

FOOTBALL Romania’s national football side will be up against Armenia in Yerevan
today in a game counting towards Group J of the World Cup 2022 preliminaries.
The Romanians so far lost to Germany 1-0 but secured a 3-2 win against North
Macedonia. Romania’s group also includes Lichtenstein and Iceland. The first
sides in every group are to qualify for the final tournament, while the sides
on the second position will be playing tie matches. Romania’s latest
participation in a World Cup was in France in 1998. Unfortunately last night in
Budapest, Romania’s Under 21 side failed to qualify for the quarter finals of
the European Under-21 Championship after a nil-all with Germany in Group A. The
Romanians left the competition with their heads held high and no defeat in a
group with Germany, the Netherlands and Hungary.

(bill)