The Week in Review: 13-19 August

A roundup of the weeks main stories in Romania.

România Internațional, 19.08.2017, 13:56

Terror attacks in Spain

Spain has become the latest target of the ISIS terrorists. On Thursday
in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, a jihadist rammed a van into a crowd killing and
wounding several people. Another terror attack took place in the resort of
Cambrils, on the Mediterranean. Among the victims of the attack in Barcelona
are people of various nationalities, including Romanians. In the past 18
months, big cities in Europe, such as Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm have
seen attacks with the same pattern: terrorists drive big vehicles into crowded
areas. Political leaders in Bucharest have sent messages of condolences to the
Spanish people and the families of the victims of the attacks in Spain. They
recalled that Romania had pledged to join the international efforts aimed at
eliminating the terror threats.

Romania sees
record economic growth

In the second quarter of this year Romania
reported the biggest economic growth from the European Union as compared to the
same period last year, the European Office for Statistics Eurostat announced.
Also in the second quarter, Romania reported a 1.6% growth as compared to the
first quarter, which places it on the second position in Europe after Sweden,
the Eurostat also reports. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose has underlined that
these results confirm that Romania is on a positive trend. However, Ludovic
Orban, head of the main opposition party, the National Liberal Party, said that
the government compromises Romania’s medium and long-time chances of
development. Orban believes the executive shows amateurism and improvisation,
proposing laws that destroy investments, the economic initiative and the
movement of money. Experts say the economic growth seen recently is largely
based on consumption, and that economic development without investment is
risky.

Romania
celebrates Navy Day

Romania hosted over 200 cultural, military and
religious ceremonies and services devoted to Navy Day, celebrated every year on
August 15th, on the same day with the Assumption of Mary, mother of
God and protector of sailors. In 2017 as well Navy Day was celebrated through a
serious of events on the Black Sea coast and in Romania’s Danube ports. The
peak of all these events was a navy drill held in Constanta, which saw the
participation of 30 vessels, helicopters and planes as well as three thousand
servicemen.

Also attending the events, Romania’s president
Klaus Iohannis said that Romania is more actively involved as a strong state
and relevant regional player. Iohannis also said that Romania needs a
well-equipped army ready to live up to the present challenges. In turn, Defence
Minister Adrian Tutuianu said the latest developments in the Black Sea aren’t
limited to the region but have implications as far as the Euro-Atlantic
security is concerned. He added that Romania proposed itself and continues to
be a pillar of stability, democracy and security.

Startup
Nation

The Romanian Ministry for the Business
Environment has made public the first 20 companies that won state funding
through the Startup Nation, a government programme aimed at creating fresh
jobs. These companies are to receive a total of 900 thousand euros and are
supposed to create 155 thousand new jobs. In another development, by August 29th,
small and medium-sized companies can join a programme entitled Trade and
Services through which they can access state funds up to 250 thousand lei (55.5
thousand euros). The programme is addressing companies that are already on the
market and plan to expand their business.

Radio
Romania – double anniversary

Radio Romania has this week had two
anniversaries, two special moments in its history: the 100th edition
of the Gaudeamus Book Fair and 50 years since the first Radio Holiday
broadcasts. During its four days, the Gaudeamus Fair hosted numerous editorial
and musical events, as well as numerous contests. Also these days Radio Romania
celebrated 50 years since the Radio Holiday started to broadcast its summer
programmes in all seaside resorts. Since its first broadcasts until 1994, the
programmes of the public radio’s summer station were made by RRI editors.

The Romanian
football sides in the European cups

Romania’s football champions FC Viitorul
conceded a 3-1 defeat on their own turf in the first game in the play-offs for
Europa League groups against the Austrians from Red Bull Salzburg. The return
match will be taking place in Austria next Thursday. Romania’s vice-champions
FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, have their presence assured in the competition’s
groups but FCSB also hopes to get access to the Champions League’s groups. On
Tuesday, FCSB ended in a draw nil-all their game against Sporting Lisbon in the
first game of the qualification play-off for the main European football
tournament. The return game is to take place on August 23rd in
Bucharest.