December 4, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin is today meeting with the delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarch Daniel.

Newsroom, 04.12.2017, 13:49

JUSTICE – The changes that Romania’s ruling coalition intends to operate in the judiciary will be discussed in Parliament starting this week. A first draft regulation, concerning the status of judges and prosecutors, is currently on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies, after having been approved by a special parliamentary committee. The bill stipulates that the head of state may no longer challenge judge and prosecutor appointments, makes prosecutors part of a hierarchy topped by the justice minister, and prohibits magistrates from working as covert intelligent service agents, by having them submit annual statements in this respect. The changes promoted by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, have again been contested in the street in Romania’s biggest cities.

TOUR – US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarks this week on a diplomatic mission to shore up alliances in Europe. His trip is structured around ministerial conferences of the NATO allies in Brussels and the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Vienna. Tillerson will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the OSCE talks late in the week. The American official assured his European allies that the US remains firmly committed to defending Europe’s security.

ORTHODOXY– Russian President Vladimir Putin is today meeting with the delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarch Daniel. They travelled to Moscow to attend festivities marking 100 years since the re-establishment of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Daniel met with head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kiril, and held the Devine Liturgy in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. It is first time when a Romanian Patriarch held a religious service here.

BREXIT — British Prime Minister Theresa May is today holding decisive talks in Brussels on Brexit negotiations. She will try to convince the Europeans that her promises are enough for them to agree to open negotiations on commercial topics that London has insistently asked for. Theresa May will meet with the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Junker and with the European Council President, Donald Tusk. Brexit has been scheduled for end-March 2019.

MILITARY DRILL – The air forces of the United States and South Korea are holding a joint drill as of today, deploying over 230 fighter jets among which six F-22 Raptor stealth fighters in the exercise. The drill called “Vigilant Ace” is held between december 4th and 8th. The Vigilant Ace drill is a biannual, bilateral training event held by the United States and South Korea to simulate wartime defenses. The exercise comes as North Korea continues to move forward with the development of its nuclear and missile program in defiance of international sanctions.

VISIT – Romanian Defence Minister Mihai Fifor continues his official visit to Belgrade. Today he will meet with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vulin. Talks will focus on regional security and on boosting bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. Chief of the Romanian Army’s General Staff, General Nicolae Ciuca, accompanies Minister Fifor in Belgrade.

HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s handball team will be up against Spain on Tuesday. On Sunday, the Romanians scored their second victory in Group A of the World Women’s Handball Championship hosted by Germany, by defeating Slovenia, 31 to 28. On Saturday, the Romanians defeated 29-17 the team of Paraguay in their debut match. Also on Tuesday, in Group A, Slovenia will be up against Angola and France against Paraguay. In the previous World Championship of 2015 Romania won the bronze medal, being the only team to have participated in all the 22 editions of the championship held so far.

(Translated by E. Enache)