June 24, 2021 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 24.06.2021, 20:00

Pandemic. The Romanian government has approved a
further easing of coronavirus restrictions from 1st July. Sports
competitions can from then on be held at a maximum 50% capacity both indoors
and outdoors, and in special conditions. A maximum of 2,500 spectators are
allowed at performances, concerts, public and private festivals and other
outdoor cultural events, but more people are allowed if everyone is fully vaccinated
and wears face masks. Further restrictions have been eased with respect to
private events, bars, nightclubs and tourist facilities. As the number of new
infections is low in Romania, preparations are being made in hospitals to
reopen fully to non-Covid patients. 68 new cases from 28,000 tests were
reported on Thursday, as well as 145 fatalities, of which 138 occurred at an
earlier date but were only now recorded by public health directorates from
around the country at the request of the health ministry, following further
checks. More than 33,700 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died in Romania since
the start of the outbreak. 611 Covid patients are currently receiving hospital
treatment, including 125 in intensive care. So far, over 4.6 Romanians have received at
least one dose of the Covid vaccine, accounting for 25% of the country’s
eligible population.

EU summit. EU heads of
state and government are attending the summer summit of European Council in
Brussels. Romania is represented by president Klaus Iohannis. Talks are
focusing on EU coordination in the context of the Covid pandemic, the Union’s
economic recovery, the management of migration and the Union’s relations with
Turkey and Russia. President Iohannis will also attend the Euro Summit in
extended format, where talks are focusing on the economic challenges facing the
euro zone during the pandemic and the progress made with respect to the banking
and capital market union. Iohannis said Europe must improve crisis management,
but emphasised that the European Commission’s involvement in the purchase of
vaccines was very beneficial. He added that there are very diverse problems
that need to be discussed and clarified in the EU’s relation with Russia,
pointing out that some things cannot be tolerated, but that in some areas
collaboration would be beneficial. During an event organised by Romania’s
Permanent Representation at the EU, Iohannis decorated the president of the European
People’s Party Donald Tusk with the Star of Romania National Order in rank of
Grand Cross. President Iohannis said that while he was president of the
European Council, Mr Tusk significantly supported the activities carried out by
the Romanian presidency of the EU Council, contributing to its success.

Trip.
Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Thursday started a 3-day tour of
South Caucasus together with his counterparts from Austria, Alexander
Schallenberg, and Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis. The tour, which includes
visits to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, will highlight the importance that
the European Union attaches to its bilateral relations with these countries, to
the South Caucasus region, and to the EU’s Eastern Partnership framework. The
visit signals the EU’s readiness to support broader cooperation both with and among
the South Caucasus countries, including through the opportunities available
under the Eastern Partnership. Also, the visit will underscore the EU’s
determination to promote and actively support sustainable and comprehensive
conflict settlement efforts. The three ministers will have high-level meetings
in Baku, Erevan and Tbilisi and consultations with their counterparts in the
countries visited. The Romanian Foreign Ministry said the visit is very important
to Romania, for which South Caucasus has a high geostrategic importance
and that solving the protracted conflicts in the Black Sea region is a
strategic goal.

Football. Next Monday, Bucharest will be hosting
one match as part of the round of last 16 at the ongoing European Football Championship.
World champions France will be facing Switzerland in Bucharest. The Romanian
capital has so far hosted three Group C matches: Austria
v North Macedonia, Ukraine v North Macedonia and Austria v Ukraine. The first last 16 round
matches will be held on Saturday, when Wales are playing Denmark in Amsterdam
and Italy are playing Austria in London. On Sunday, The Netherlands are playing
the Czech Republic in Budapest and Belgium are playing Portugal in Seville. On Monday,
Croatia are playing Spain in Copenhagen and Tuesday, England will be facing
Germany in London and Sweden are playing Ukraine in Glasgow. (CM)