May 28, 2018

A round-up of Romanian and international news

Newsroom, 28.05.2018, 13:44

BLACK SEA – The security situation in the Wider Black Sea Region is currently defined by volatility and marked by a potential for conflict, trends which are likely to continue in the short and medium run, the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis believes. In a message conveyed on Monday at the opening of the 2018 edition of an event entitled ‘Security in the Black Sea Region: common challenges, sustainable future, the Romanian President also emphasised that in this complex and dynamic context the use of all international communication means is all the more important. Romania reiterates its goals of stabilising the region through dialogue and the peaceful resolution of divergences, the Presidents message also reads. Taking part in this years edition are representatives of regional, European and Euro-Atlantic decision-makers, academics and civil society leaders from 16 countries. the Programme is an alternative platform for communication and cooperation between diplomatic bodies, the academic environment and the security authorities in the Black Sea region. The 2018 edition, held between May 28 and 31, focuses on “Shaping the future of the Black Sea region: game-changers and predictors.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS – The head of the Romanian diplomacy, Teodor Meleşcanu, takes part in Brussels today in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The agenda includes, among other things, the situation in Venezuela, Iran and Congo. The recent developments in Gaza Strip will also be discussed during an informal working lunch. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Austrian and the Bulgarian foreign ministers will host an informal breakfast with their Macedonian counterpart as the guest of honour.

DEFENCE – The Romanian Defence Minister, Mihai Fifor, is as of Monday on a 3-day official visit to France, at the invitation of his counterpart, Florence Parly. According to a news release issued by the Romanian Defence Ministry, the 2 will discuss, among other things, the security situation at the Black Sea and the development prospects of the bilateral relations in the field of defence, including in the area of military equipment. The Romanian official will also have a meeting with President Emmanuel Macrons diplomatic adviser, Philippe Etienne, the former Ambassador of France to Romania. The agenda also includes visits to the companies MBDA and Airbus Helicopter, the Defence Ministry release reads.

AWARDS – Bucharest is hosting tonight the 46th Awards Gala of the Romanian Filmmakers Association. More than 500 guests are expected to take part in the event. According to the organisers, the films “Fixeur by Adrian Sitaru, “Anna, mon amour by Cătălin Peter Netzer and “One step behind the seraphims, by Daniel Sandu have been nominated for the Great Prize and the Romanian Filmmakers Association Trophy. “Anna, mon amour also competes for the Jurys Special Prize, alongside “Perfectly Healthy directed by Anca Damian and Breaking News, by Iulia Rugină. The Awards Gala of the Romanian Filmmakers Association celebrates and supports the values of the film industry by awarding those who have excelled in the field, have represented Romania in international competitions and have made a notable contribution to the film industry.

STATISTICS – One in 5 Romanians (19,7%) aged between 20 and 64 was residing in another EU member state in 2017, which makes Romania the top EU country in terms of labour mobility, data made public by the Eurostat on Monday show. Next come Lithuania (15%), Croatia (14%), and Portugal (13.9%). Eurostat data also indicate that in 2017 compared to 2007, the share of Romanians who live in other EU countries rose by 12.3%, the highest increase reported in the EU. At the opposite pole, only 1% of Germanys citizens aged between 20 and 64 live in other member states. Germany is followed by the UK, Sweden and France.

TENNIS – The Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru (160 WTA) continues today the match against the American Christina McHale (no 85 in the world), at the French Open, the second Grand Slam tournament of the year. The match is resumed after being suspended yesterday at 1-1. Also today, another Romanian player, Mihaela Buzărnescu (no 32 WTA), plays the first round against the American Vania King (1276 WTA). Four other Romanians are playing in this years Roland Garros. World no 1 and first seeded in the tournament, Simona Halep, takes on Alison Riske (USA, 105 WTA). Halep has so far lost 2 Roland Garros finals. Irina Begu (41 WTA) takes on the Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (no 78), Sorana Cîrstea (45 WTA) faces the Australian Daria Gavrilova (no 24), and Ana Bogdan (no 65 WTA) plays against the Czech Marketa Vondrousova (no 90). In the mens competition, the only Romanian player, Marius Copil (95 ATP), faces today the Italian Marco Cecchinato (72 ATP).

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)