July 12, 2019

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 12.07.2019, 13:56

CEREMONY – The Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest is today hosting a gala concert, marking the end of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will present the main results of Romanias term. Romanias record at the helm of the Council of the EU includes the completion of 90 legislative files and the adoption of 84 conclusions of the Council, on topics of common interest. Some 2,500 events and meetings have been organized, of which 300 in Romania. An important landmark remains the summit held in Sibiu, central Romania, on May 9th, Europes Day. Romanias performance has been appreciated by all its European partners.

NATIONAL DAY – The French National Day, celebrated on July 14th, is this year marked in advance at the French Embassy in Bucharest, with 200 guests attending. This years anniversary is held under the sign of the Romania – France Season, meant to bring the two countries closer. The Season ends on July 14th, in Carol Park in Bucharest, with a digital painting exhibition, a fireworks show and gastronomic events. According to the French Ambassador to Bucharest Michele Ramis, the season brought the two countries closer for eight months, which helped them rediscover one another through some 700 events, which laid the foundation for further collaboration. The National Day of France will also be celebrated in the Romanian cities of Iasi, Brasov, Cluj and Timisoara.

BIODIVERSITY – Losing biodiversity is one of the global issues facing all societies today, said the Romanian Minister of the Environment, the Deputy Prime Minister Gratiela Gavrilescu, at the first informal meeting of environment ministers organized under the Finish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Gratiela Gavrilescu has recalled that during the Romanian Presidency, which ended on June 30th this year, biodiversity was a priority, and efforts were made to push forward negotiations on the LIFE Programme post 2020, as well as to find common points in the preparation for the post – 2020 Global Framework. The EUs long-term strategy with regard to climate change was a major objective for Bucharest, the Romanian minister has stated, adding that the EU must keep acting, both internally and externally, and support actions in the field by means of a large number of cooperation instruments, including financial.

GOLDEN STAG – 12 artists from ten countries will compete for the Grand Trophy of the Golden Stag Music Festival in Brasov, central Romania, which starts on August 22nd. The finalists are Tamara of Georgia, Ralfs Eilands of Latvia, Veronica Liberati of Italy, Florin Raduta of Romania, Anna Odobescu of the Republic of Moldova, Alfie Arcuri of Australia, Renate of Romania, Cynthia Verazie of Cyprus, Eliza G of Italy, Syuzanna Melqonyan of Armenia, Monika Marija of Lithuania and Sara de Blue of Austria. Carrying on a 50 year long tradition, besides their own pieces, the competitors will also perform a song in Romanian. The first edition of the festival was held in 1968. In time, it became the largest international music festival organized in Romania and has enjoyed performances by famous artists such as Diana Ross, Amalia Rodrigues, Julio Iglesias, Dalida, Sheryl Crow, Tom Jones, Juliette Greco, Vaya con Dios, Coolio, Christina Aguilera, Cliff Richard, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Martin, Kelly Family, Patricia Kaas, Gilbert Becaud, Josephine Baker, Toto Cutugno, Enrico Macias, Boy George, James Brown, Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles, UB 40, Scorpions or Pink.

WIMBLEDON – The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, no.7 in the WTA rankings, and the American Serena Williams, no. 10 WTA, on Saturday are playing the final of the Wimbledon tournament, the third Grand Slam of the year. On Thursday, in the semi-finals, Halep defeated the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (8WTA) 6-1, 6-3, and Williams beat the Czech Barbora Strycova (54 WTA), 6-1, 6-2. This is the first time that Halep has qualified for the Wimbledon final, and the fifth grand slam final on her record sheet. She is the second Romanian to play the Wimbledon final, after Ilie Nastase, in the mens singles, who lost the finals back in 1972 and 1976.

FOOTBALL – Romanias vice-champion in football, FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest), defeated Milsami Orhei of the Republic of Moldova on Thursday evening, on home turf. Also on Thursday, CSU Craiova won 3-2 the match against the Azeri of FK Sabail, away from home. The return legs will be held next week. The winner of the Romanian Cup, Viitorul Constanta, will play straight in the second preliminary round of Europa League, against the Belgian squad FC Anvers, coached by the former Romanian international Ladislau Boloni. We recall that on Tuesday, Romanias champion CFR Cluj lost nil-1 the match against FC Astana of Kazakhstan, in the first round of the Champions Leagues inaugural round. The decisive match will be played in Cluj, next week.

(translated by Mihaela Ignatescu)