June 9, 2015 UPDATE
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 09.06.2015, 12:05
President Klaus Iohannis Tuesday criticised the rejection by Parliament of the request filed by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate regarding the start of criminal proceedings against PM Victor Ponta, suspected of conflict of interests while in office. The head of state said the parliamentary majority obstruct justice, are willing to destroy the concept of Parliament and to stain Romanias image, all in order to rescue one person, which is a proof of irresponsibility and of disregard for the citizens. In turn, the Liberals in opposition criticised the Deputies decision. The co-president of the National Liberal Party, Alina Gorghiu, said Victor Ponta proved his disregard for the law and for Romanians. Both the President and the Opposition continue to believe that the solution to the current crisis is for Victor Ponta to step down. Also on Tuesday the US Embassy to Bucharest said in a message that any accusations against government officials must be thoroughly investigated, without interference, and the law should be applied equally to everyone.
The Supreme Defence Council convened on Tuesday in Bucharest, chaired by President Klaus Iohannis. The agenda included the new National Defence Strategy, which has been submitted to Parliament for approval. According to the head of state, one of the main novelties in the document is the concept of broader security. Also, the Council members decided that, as far as the illegal deforestation is concerned, the Government must take steps to ensure “coherent, clear and thorough legislation in this respect. On the other hand, the Supreme Defence Council approved a plan for the restructuring and modernisation of the Romanian Army, as well as the participation of Romanian military forces in foreign missions in 2016.
The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu will have consultations on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who will be on an official visit to Bucharest. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, this visit is an opportunity to diversify and strengthen the strategic partnership, the cooperation between the two countries at a political, economic and security level. The agenda of talks will include, apart from bilateral aspects, the relationship between the EU and Turkey, the security and energy security issue, regional cooperation and developments in the eastern neighbourhood. The participants will also tackle the latest developments in Syria, the fight against terrorism and the Peace Process in the Middle East.
The leaders of the National Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Romania, had a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of several embassies to Bucharest. The talks focused on the Liberals bill regarding the introduction of voting by mail and on the corresponding election laws in force abroad. The Liberal Party presented the bill tabled to Parliament and the main goal behind it, namely to ensure that all Romanian citizens are able to vote.
Greece made new proposals to its international creditors, hoping to unlock the impasse over its bailout. Athens agreed on an increased VAT and higher budget targets. The Greek government has until the end of the month to repay four instalments of its loan, and is currently negotiating with the EU and the IMF a deal that would enable the country to get a last instalment of 7.2 billion euros from a bailout programme.
Romanias women epee team Tuesday won the gold medal at the European Fencing Championship in Montreux, Switzerland. Ana Maria Brânză, Simona Pop, Simona Gherman and Loredana Dinu defeated Estonia in the final, 45-35. Romania thus defended the title it had won last year in Strasbourg. Wednesday will see the mens epee games, in which four Romanian athletes take part. During the same Championship in Montreux, Romanias Simona Pop had also won a bronze medal in the female epee competition.
