June 14, 2019

Romanian diplomat Bogdan Aurescu, foreign policy adviser for President Klaus Iohannis, is on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova against the background of a deep political crisis in the neighboring state

Bogdan Matei, 14.06.2019, 13:52

CHISINAU – Romanian diplomat Bogdan Aurescu, foreign policy adviser for President Klaus Iohannis, is on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova against the background of a deep political crisis in the neighboring state. According to the Romanian Presidency, he will meet with parliamentary and political officials involved in the crisis. The press release states that Romania calls for calm dialog, which Moldova needs in order to pursue EU membership. Romania, as a strategic partner for Moldova, believes that the crisis needs a peaceful resolution in line with European values, the rule of law, and the choices made by citizens in the parliamentary elections of February 2019. In Moldova, two opposing parties, one formed by pro-Russians and pro-Europeans, the other being the Democratic Party of oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, continue to accuse each other of having operated a coup d’etat.

ECOFIN – Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici chairs in Luxembourg the last meeting of the Council for Economic and Financial Affairs, ECOFIN, as part of Romania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. The agenda includes topics related to the Banking Union, the European Semester, the Stability and Growth Pact, the ‘Clean Planet for All’ European agenda, the action plan for bad loans, the G20 meeting in Fukuoka, Japan, and consolidated cooperation on financial transaction taxation. Minister Teodorovici will also preside the annual meeting of the governors of the European Investment Bank.

BUCHAREST – The EC is worried about Romania’s economic evolution, with situations when the Bucharest authorities have violated legislation in their own country, according to Isabel Grilo, director in charge of fiscal policy with the European Commission. She took part in Bucharest in the conference presenting publicly the recommendations aimed at Romania as part of the 2019 European Semester. The official said that, following several years of moderate growth, Romania had a significant level of growth in the last year, but pointed out that this growth is not sustainable, since it is consumption based. The executive in Brussels issued a warning to Romania and Hungary on their compliance with budget aims for 2018.

NATO – The most important NATO multinational military exercise in Romania, Saber Guardian 2019, is in place until June 24. The training exercises are in five locations around the country. They include general staff tactical exercises, live fire training, crossing waterways, tactical unit moves, and medical training. The main aim of the event is cohesion among allied states in order to defend against aggression, emphasizing rapid response and concentration of force anywhere in Europe. The exercise brings together a total of around 13,500 military personnel, from 14 partner countries. Romania contributes 7,600 troops.

THEATER – Sibiu International Theater Festival starts its 26th edition, the biggest in Romania of its kind, taking place between June 14 and 23, with the topic ‘The Art of Giving’. The festival includes 540 events in 75 locations, with 3,300 artists and guests from 73 countries invited. According to organizers, the festival is a celebration of beauty, with events in theater, dance, music, film, book launches, circus, and art exhibitions. The Sibiu International Theater Festival is the most complex event of its kind in Romania and Europe, with Radio Romania as a partner.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse, 211th seeded, competes against French player Caroline Garcia, 28th seeded, in the quarter finals of the tournament in Nottingham, the UK, with 250,000 dollars in prize money at stake. On Friday, the Romanian surprisingly defeated Swiss player Viktorija Golubic, 85th seeded, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, earning her best result in the WTA circuit.