May 2, 2018
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 02.05.2018, 14:24
COMMITTEE Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis has today announced that he will send the package of justice laws to the Constitutional Court and notify the Venice Convention. According to Iohannis, in its present form, the law package meets neither the standards of the rule of law, nor the expectations of the Romanians. The laws do not fit the legal framework and fail to meet the European standards, Iohannis also went on to say. The Romanian head of state has argued the new amendments may hinder the justice process allowing for the setting up of new structures that may put pressure on the magistrates. The president has also said that after the Constitutional Court has had its say over the issues he will make a new assessment and decide if a new revision of the amendments is needed. In another move, a special committee for Justice Laws in the Romanian Parliament today kicks off debates on amendments to the Penal Code, Penal Procedure and Civil Procedure Codes.
LAW The Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Victor Negrescu has hailed the coming into force of a directive on the consular protection for European citizens, including Romanians, who live or travel outside the EU. Under the document, the EU citizens, who are in difficulty in a third country, have the right to benefit the protection of embassies and consulates of other countries in the community zone, if their own country isn’t represented. The EU countries must offer the non-represented European citizens the same assistance they offer their own citizens such as, assistance in case of death, severe accidents or disease; assistance in case of arrest or detention, assistance when a citizen falls victim of an attack or crime, assistance and repatriation in emergency cases. The origin country of the applicants will always be consulted by the country, which offers assistance. Applicants can get information concerning the available assistance and to any agreements in force between consulates by contacting the EU delegation in the respective country.
CONDITION The condition of the Romanian soldier wounded in Afghanistan and carried to a hospital in Germany is stable. The Ministry of Defence in Bucharest has announced that the other seven troops wounded in a car bomb attack on Monday have already left the hospital. The wounded soldiers are part of the Carpathian Eagles battalion based in southern Romania and were on a mission close to the Kandahar airport when the bomb went off. The US ambassador Hans Klemm has conveyed a message of appreciation on behalf of the United States to the eight soldiers for their service within the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
HEALTHCARE Romania’s healthcare minister Sorina Pintea today has a fresh round of talks with trade unionists in order to find solutions to the issues currently affecting the country’s healthcare system. Last week, thousands of medical employees mounted a large-scale protest rally in Bucharest. Numerous categories of personnel had seen significant pay cuts after the implementation of new regulations aimed at capping their benefits. Trade unions have threatened with a token strike on May 7th that can be followed by an all-out strike four days later.
TABLE TENNIS Romania’s table tennis squad has emerged as winner of Group C and qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Championships in Sweden. On Tuesday night, in the group’s last game, Bernadette Szocs, Elizabeta Samara and Daniela Monteiro Dodean secured a three-one win against North Korea after a three-win against Taiwan. Romania has obtained four wins and lost only one game 1-3 to the Netherlands. In the men’s contest, Romania defeated Egypt 3-0 and will tonight take on Hong Kong in their last game in the group. Germany ranks first in the group with 8 points, followed by Sweden with 7, Hong Kong and Romania, each with 6, Slovenia 5 and Egypt 4. The first three squads are qualified for the competition’s next stage.
translated by bill
