May 2, 2023 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 02.05.2023, 19:45

Anti-Semitism. The
European Commission coordinator for combating anti-Semitism and fostering
Jewish life Katharina von Schnurbein said Romania was the first EU member state
to draw up a national strategy to prevent and combat anti-Semitism, xenophobia,
radicalisation and hate speech for the 2021-2023
period. She made these statements in Bucharest on Tuesday in the opening of the
fourth meeting of the Working Group for the implementation of the European
Union strategy on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life. The
three-day-long event brings together 80 Romanian and European officials, as
well as representatives of Jewish communities and international organisations
from EU member states, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Two years ago, the
European Union adopted its first strategy on fighting anti-Semitism and
fostering Jewish life for the 2021-2023 period.

Defence. Romania stands
by the Republic of Moldova in reforming its army, said the Romanian defence
minister Angel Tîlvăr, who began a two-day visit to Chişinău on Tuesday. He
also emphasised that Romania firmly supports Moldova’s European path. He met
his Moldovan counterpart Anatolie Nosatîi on Tuesday. The latter said the
development of the defence capacity and the transformation of the Moldovan army
into a modern institution adjusted to national standards and capable to ensure
the security of its citizens are priorities for his government and that the
Romanian government is providing considerable support in this respect. He also
underlined Romania’s assistance in the promotion international projects to
consolidate the defence capacity, such as NATO’s enhanced assistance package
and the European Peace Facility.

Farmers. Romania will receive an additional 30 million euros to support
farmers affected by the imports of cheap grains from Ukraine, the agriculture
minister Petre Daea said on Tuesday. The new support package must be published
in the official journal of the European Union before internal procedures are
implemented to channel the money to farmers. Applications for the first tranche
of aid for wheat farmers are to be recorded by 11th May, with payments
to be made from the first 10 million euros granted by the European Union to
compensate for the economic losses caused by the cereal imports from Ukraine.

Green energy. The
2023 stage of the Photovoltaic green house scheme has started in
Romania. As of May 2, companies and individuals who install such alternative
green energy systems can register for this program. Afterwards, the
procedures will begin for the people who want to benefit from the 20 thousand
lei (4 thousand euros) from the State budget for the installation of
photovoltaic panels. The demand for solar panels has rocketed in Romania,
especially after the increase in electricity and natural gas prices.

Corruption. A former finance
minister and mayor of the southern town of Slatina, Darius Vâlcov on Tuesday
received a final sentence of 6 years in prison for trafficking in influence and
money laundering. Prosecutors found over 100 works of art purchased by Vâlcov,
some of which were hidden in the walls of buildings he owns. He has been
missing recent court hearings, having left for Italy a few months ago.

Museums. The Romanian
Athenaeum, which is the home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, is
this year taking part in the Long Night of Museums on 13th of May,
staying open for visitors from 10 pm until 1 am, with a short performance by
the Philharmonics’ quartet also on offer. This year’s edition of the Long Night
of Museums, which is held jointly with the Republic of Moldova, will bring
together over 300 different exhibitions, artistic experiments, projections,
performances, workshops, concerts and interactive tours. Museums, art
galleries, cultural centres, artists’ studios, theatres and other cultural
venues will be open for visitors free of charge until late into the night. (CM)