December 18, 2018

Romania supports the alliance between the European Union and Africa, says Romanias President Klaus Iohannis / The series of events commemorating the martyr heroes of the 1989 Anti-Communist Revolution in Romania, continues in Timisoara, in the west

Daniela Budu, 18.12.2018, 13:50

EUROPE-AFRICA — The relationship between Europe and Africa is developing and we want to turn it from a relation in which Europe has offered assistance, into a relation between equal partners, ready to cooperate and develop together, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has said in Vienna, at the meeting of heads of state and government, held on the sidelines of the Europe-Africa Forum. He has also said that Romanian will further promote consistent action to support the alliance between the two continents, among which granting scholarships to young Africans. The Europe-Africa Forum is intent on consolidating the long-term partnership between the EU and Africa and lays emphasis on boosting sustainable investments, creating jobs and taking cooperation to the digital era.

COMMEMORATIONS – The series of events commemorating the martyr heroes of the 1989 Anti-Communist Revolution in Romania, continues in Timisoara, in the west. December 18 goes down in history as the day when the young people protesting against the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu were shot to death on the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Timisoara. Vigil candles will be lit today on the steps of the Cathedral in remembrance of that day. A day of mourning was decreed in Timisoara on Monday in memory of those who, 29 years ago, lost their lives, being killed by the repressive forces of the communist regime. Masses and memorial services have been performed and floral tributes have been paid.

DIPLOMACY — Bucharest will comply with all its responsibilities while holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, Margareta said on Monday evening. In the speech she delivered during the Royal Evening offered in honour of the Diplomatic Corps in Bucharest, the Custodian of the Crown said the Romanians are proud and determined to successfully complete their term in office at the helm of the Council of the European Union, no matter how difficult it might be, as this is not only a matter of national pride but also a necessity. In turn, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Romania, the Apostolic Nuntio Miguel Maury Buendia, has eulogised the activity of the Royal Family in Romania in the service of the Romanian nation and conveyed a message to the Romanian people, wishing them happy holidays and sending best wishes during the tenure of the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

LONDON — The Labour opposition in Great Britain on Monday tabled a motion of no-confidence in the Conservative PM Theresa May, which the Government has described as “silly political games”. The Labour Party’s demarche comes after Theresa May has announced that the Brexit deal, negotiated with the EU will be voted upon by MPs in the third week of January. The British PM has delayed the vote from last week, admitting she was set to lose. The Labour Party is accusing PM Theresa May of failing to observe her own timetable of debates and of having led the United Kingdom into a “national crisis”.

CINEMATOGRAPHY — “The Sisters Brothers”, a movie directed by French Jacques Audiard, partially filmed in Romania, and co-produced by the Romanian director Cristian Mungiu has got most nominations, four, for the Lumiere prizes, the French equivalent of the Golden Globes, which are awarded every year by the correspondents of the foreign press in France. Of the 130 French films screened in cinema halls across France this year, 37 have been nominated for these prizes. The 24th Lumiere Awards Gala will be held in Paris, on February 4.

WEATHER — The cold snap continues to sweep Romania, brining along heavy snow falls and blizzard. Tens of thousands of households in the south-west have been left without electricity after gusty wind destroyed the power grid. Schools have been closed temporarily in the west, south-west and the north because of heavy snow falls, the lack of electricity or heating. Extreme weather has disrupted railroad traffic, too. Last night, many flights from Bucharest and Sibiu, in the centre, were cancelled or reported long delays. Today, the weather is cold, with overcast skies. Precipitations are reported, in places, in the centre, south and the east, as well as in the mountains. Gusty wins is reported in the south-east. The highs of the day range from minus 5 to plus 3 degrees Celsius. The noon reading in Bucharest was zero degrees C. (Translated by D. Vijeu)