September 21, 2022
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 21.09.2022, 13:59
UN — “Romania will continue to support the neighboring Ukraine”, invaded by the Russian troops, President Klaus Iohannis said before the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He reminded that Romania offered direct humanitarian assistance to those over 2.3 million Ukrainian refugees who entered its soil since the start of the war. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu took part in a meeting with members of the Bucharest 9 Format (B9), which are NATO member states on the Alliance’s Eastern flank. Aurescu pleaded for further multidimensional support for Ukraine and for further pressure on Russia, including through a new package of sanctions. He emphasized the importance of bringing Russia to justice by using the tools of international law.
RUSSIA — Russia is prepared to use “all defense means” including nuclear, “to defend itself”, Russian President Vladimir Putin has today said in a televised address to his nation, France Press reports. Putin, who has accused the West of wanting to destroy Russia, has ordered partial mobilization of reservists, which significantly escalates the conflict in Ukraine. Putin also said he supported the annexation referendums to be held in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. Pro-Russian authorities in four Ukrainian regions – Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk – had announced referendums for the unification with Russia. In Donetsk and Luhansk there are separatist republics proclaimed as of 2014, whose independence had been recognized by Russia before its invasion of Ukraine. In Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, on the other hand, pro-Russian authorities have been installed after a part of the two regions had been occupied following the Russian invasion in February. In Bucharest, PM Nicolae Ciuca has today said he took notice, with concern, of the Russian President’s statements regarding partial military mobilization and the organization of the so-called referendums and that Romania will maintain its balanced stand and will continue to calmly monitor, alongside its NATO allies, the evolutions in the neighboring Ukraine.
GOVERNMENT – The Bucharest Government has included on its agenda today a draft emergency order under which more money is earmarked for projects in the military industry sector, in the context of the higher prices of raw materials and equipment. Due to the war in Ukraine and the international blockage imposed on the Russian Federation, the Romanian defense industry has found new markets for the purchase of materials and equipment needed for the supply of specific products and services. The energy crisis has also impacted business operators in the defense industry. Also discussed by the Government today is granting more than 185 million euro to animal breeders through state aid schemes, starting October 16.
ENERGY – Oil refineries in Romania have found an alternative to Russian oil, given that the embargo on Russian oil products takes effect in December, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu has announced. According to the Romanian Minister, given the current context on the gas market, OMV Petrom, the largest energy company in South-East Europe and Romgaz, Romania’s the largest producer and main supplier of natural gas, should announce this year the decision of investing in gas extraction in the Neptune Deep perimeter in the Black Sea. Also, the gas pipe connecting Greece to Bulgaria, to become operational on October 1st, will allow Romania to transport gas from Azerbaijan, Virgil Popescu has also said.
REFUGEES – The Romanian Border Police has announced that 8,436 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania on Tuesday, down by 7.8% as against Monday. Starting February 10, 2022, the pre-conflict period, over 2,367,000 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. The Border Police is working at the full capacity allowed by the checkpoints’ infrastructure. (EE)
