November 11, 2023 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

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Vlad Palcu, 11.11.2023, 20:00

VETERANS DAY – Romania celebrated the Day of Veterans of Military
Operations on November 11. On This occasion, garrisons in Bucharest and across
the country where military carried out missions in theatres of operations
abroad played host to military and religious ceremonies. President Klaus
Iohannis said this day symbolizes the triumph of peace over war, adding that
veterans are genuine role models for the younger generations. In a message
marking the occasion, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in turn referred to the
sacrifice of Romanian servicemen, underscoring the importance of peace. November
11 is a day chosen for its significance, the day the armistice was signed
between the Allies of World War I and Germany to end World War 1 and created
the premises of the Great Union in Romania, on December 1, 1918. It was also on
this day in 2003 that the first Romanian servicemen was killed in action in
Afghanistan. 30 Romanian servicemen were killed and over 200 were wounded in
theatres of operations over 1996-2022. We recall War Veterans Day is celebrated
on April 29.

RESOLUTION – Social-Democrat leaders from across
Europe on Friday adopted a resolution expressing support for the immediate
Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has
said. The Romanian official attended the European Socialists Congress hosted by
Málaga, Spain. More Europe also entails protecting and strengthening one of the
European Union’s greatest achievements: the Schengen Agreement, the resolution
reads, also underlining that Romania and Bulgaria have fulfilled Schengen
accession criteria. In a post on social media, Marcel Ciolacu gave assurances
he will do everything in his power to persuade Austria and the Netherlands that
Romania belongs in Schengen. On the sidelines of the event, Marcel Ciolacu met
with counterparts from Spain, Malta and Denmark as well as with Germany’s
Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

WAR IN GAZA – The Romanian Foreign Ministry announced that dialogue
with the Israeli and Egyptian authorities continues with a view to evacuating
the remaining Romanians and family members from Gaza. At present, three mobile
consular teams are deployed with a view to assisting in specific
border-crossing procedures. According to the Ministry, the Rafah border
crossing point used to evacuate civilians from Gaza into Egypt remained close
on Friday. We recall that on Thursday, 41 Romanian citizens and family members
were evacuated from Gaza through the Rafah checkpoint, adding to the 93
citizens who were safely brought home onboard a special flight operated by the
national airline TAROM. Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting, world
countries calling on Israel to accept an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and take
measures to limit the loss of human lives. Too many Palestinians have been
killed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said in what has been his
firmest response to Israel’s actions since hostilities broke out in the region.
In turn, the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, said Israel should stop
bombing Gaza and killing civilians. Both officials have however expressed
support for Israel’s actions targeted against the Islamist terrorist
organization Hamas. In another development, on the sidelines of a joint summit
of the Arab League and the Islamic Cooperation Organization devoted to the
developments in Gaza, hosted by Riyadh on Saturday, the president of the
Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, called on the USA to pressure Israel to
stop its offensive in Gaza. Palestinians need international protection from
Israeli attacks, president Abbas went on to say. In turn, the Crown Prince of
Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, has called an end to what he was termed the
siege on Gaza, while Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, called for an
immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza without restrictions or conditions.
On the ground, the Israeli army on Saturday announced it has captured 11 Hamas
outposts in Gaza, adding that Israeli forces destroyed a vehicle carrying
explosives as well as a tunnel used by Hamas militants.

TENNIS – Romania’s tennis team defeated Serbia 4-0 in the Billie
Jean King Cup World Group playoffs. On Saturday, Jaqueline Cristian won 7-5,
4-6, 7-5 against Lola Radivojevic. In the doubles match Anca Todoni and Monica
Niculescu won 6-1, 7-6 against Katarina Kozarov and Aleksandra Krunic.
On Friday, Jaqueline Cristian won 7-5, 6-4 against Aleksandra Krunic while
Gabriela Ruse defeated Mia Rustic 7-6, 6-3. Romania will advance to the Billie
Jean King Cup preliminaries, while Serbia will play in Group 1. In April,
Romania lost 3-2 to Slovenia, failing to qualify to the final tournament. (VP)