May 23, 2015
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 23.05.2015, 14:30
The Governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isarescu, has said Romanias economic growth is solid and sustainable. Isarescu has pointed out, at a conference on the perspectives of the banking system and the economy that the gaps in production, registered during the economic crisis, have been totally recovered. In his opinion, the positive economic evolution will continue, with the most important lines of action being to increase competition and effectiveness in key economic sectors, such as the enrgy sector, and to develop the field of education and the quality of the transport infrastructure. Romanias economy went up by 4.3% in the first quarter of the year as against the same period last year, according to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics. The figure exceeds the gvernments forecast, that wants to boost consumption by cutting the VAT on foodstuffs from 24% to 9% as of next month.
Romania and the Republic of Moldova are preparing the setting up of a joint peace keeping batallion in the near future. According to the Foreign Ministry in Chisinau, the project has been agreed on during recent talks between the Romanian Defence Minister Micea Dusa and the Moldovan Defence Minister Viorel Ciubotaru. The Republic of Moldova sees Romania as a strategic partner in the political and military dialgue, reads a release with the Defence Ministry in Chisinau. Romania, a NATO member, and Moldova, defined by its constitution as a neutral state, have repeatedly voiced their concern at the situation in the neighbouring Ukraine, faced with the armed rebellion of the pro-Russian secessionists.
This is a reflection day in Poland, ahead of a decisive round of the presidential elections on Sunday. According to the latest pinion polls, the Conservative candidate Andrzej Duda has a slight advantage over the Liberal Bronislaw Komorowski. The later sees Polands NATO and EU membership as a guarantee for security and prosperity, while Duda prmises to focus mostly on Polands national interests. Presidential prerogatives are relatively limited in Poland, and analysts say tommorows election is a prelude for the legislative election this fall, with the same two competitors, namely, the Conservatives with the Law and Order Party, headed by the former prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, supporting Duda, and the Liberals with the Civic Platform, represented by Komorowsky.
27 nations, Romania included, will meet on stage in Vienna this evening, in the final of the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. This year the contest celebrates its 60th anniversary. Voltaj is the pop-rock band that represents Romania in Vienna, with their song entitled “All Over Again. Romania will sing in 20th place this evening, and can be voted by audiences from other participant countries. Ever since 1994 when Romania fist participated in the Eurovision song contest, Romanian artists have been hoping to return home with the big trophy. Luminita Anghel and Sistem were very close to reaching this goal back in 2005, when they came out 3rd. Five years later, Paula Seling and Ovi also won the 3rd place, while in 2006 Mihai Trastariu came out 4th. Among the renowned international artists who have performed on the Eurovision stage are ABBA, Julio Iglesias, Celine Dion and Johnny Logan.
Over 100 thousand Roman-Catholic believers are expected today on the Sumuleu Ciuc Mountain, in central Romania, to celebrate the Pentecost, the most extensive pilgrimage in Central and Eastern Europe. The event has a special significance this year, as it marks the anniversary of 500 years since the wooden icon of Virgin Mary, believed to be miracle worker, was sculpted. The religious ceremony is attended by a large number of believers from Romania and abroad. In its turn, the Orthodox Church will celebrate the Pentecost at the end of this month.
Five Romanian tennis players are in the singles main draw at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam tournament of the year. World no. 3 Simona Halep will face the Russian player Evgeniya Rodina, ranked 91st, in the first round in Paris. Last year, Halep lost to worlds no. 2 Maria Sharapova in the final. World no. 31 Irina Begu will take on the American player Bethanie Mattek-Sands (ranked 164), while Alexandra Dulgheru will face another American player, Nicole Gibbs (no. 97). Monica Niculescu, currently ranked 69th, meets world no. 8 Carla Suraez Navarro of Spain, and Andreea Mitu, no. 99 in the world, faces Alize Lim of France (ranked 285).
