October 22, 2014

For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.

Ştefan Stoica, 22.10.2014, 12:00

TALKS — Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Tuesday had a telephone conversation with US vice-president Joseph Biden on the strategic partnership between the two countries and hot topics on the international security agenda. According to a Government press release, Ponta and Biden have tackled the developments in Afghanistan and the preparation of NATO’s “Resolute Support” Operation, which will replace ISAF operations as of 2015. Victor Ponta reiterated that Romania is and will be the US’s trusted, strategic partner.

VOTE — European Commission president elect Jean-Claude Juncker is today making public the final structure of the new European Executive and its political programme. MEPs will be voting the new team, which saw a couple of last-minute changes. Violeta Bulc of Slovenia will take over the Transport portfolio, while Maros Sefčovič will be the new vice-president for Energy Unity and Climate Change. Appointed as EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Romanian Corina Cretu was greenlighted by the European Parliament Expert Committee. The new European Commission members will take office starting November 1.

TENNIS — WTA 4th ranked Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has today defeated Serena Williams of the United States, 6-nil, 6-2, as part of the Red Group of the Champions’ Tournament in Singapore. In the first match, Halep grabbed a win over Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, while Williams knocked out Ana Ivanovic. Halep has thus qualified to the semi-finals of the tournament. Simona Halep’s wins in the Doha and Bucharest tournaments, as well as the Madrid and Roland Garros finals and the semi-final in Wimbledon have allowed her to play in this tournament. She is the third Romanian to take part in this competition after Virginia Ruzici in 1983 and 1984 and Irina Spirlea in 1998.

EUROBONDS — Romania has for the first time issued Eurobonds on the external capital market at an interest rate below 3%, the Government Press Office has announced. Bucharest has thus raised 1,5 billion euros on the international markets by selling eurobonds with a 10-year maturity period, at an annual yield of 2.97%. With this move the requirements for 2015 have been partially met, as the Government thus strengthened its hard currency reserves. Romania’s previous venture on the external market was in April, when our country borrowed 1,25 billion euros by issuing eurobonds at an annual yield of 3.7%.

EUROPOL — The European Law-Enforcement agency the Europol has announced that Europe is confronted with the most serious terrorist threat in the last ten years, as a result of the conflict in Syria. The community of European law enforcement agencies is on high alert, after thousands of young people have been exposed to what they’ve termed “content of a high radical character” in Syria, the BBC reports. According to London Police, at least 5 British citizens every week are joining the ranks of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The Interpol has sent out a warning that should these individuals return to their home countries, those communities would be put at great risk. We recall that the Islamic State terrorist cell is de facto controlling large areas of Iraq and Syria.

EBOLA — The World Health Organization has announced that a new lab-created serum derived from Ebola-infected patients who subsequently recovered will be ready within a few weeks. French researchers have announced they have also processed a 15-minute test to quickly diagnose people suspected of carrying the Ebola virus. According to the latest WHO estimates, Ebola has killed 4,500 people, of the overall 9,000 sick people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

FOOTBALL — Romania’s representatives in Europa League are preparing for Thursday night’s matches in Europa League. In Group J, Steaua Bucharest will take on Rio Ave of Portugal on home turf. In the first two matches, Steaua trounced Aalborg of Denmark at home 6-nil, and lost to Dinamo Kiev of Ukraine away from home 1-3. In Group D, vice-champions Astra Giurgiu will take on Celtic Glasgow of Scotland away from home, after losing 1-4 to Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia in the first match and 1-2 to Red Bull Salzburg of Austria at home.