November 11, 2023

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 11.11.2023, 13:55

VETERANS DAY – Romania celebrated the Day of Veterans of Military
Operations on November 11. On This occasion, garrisons in Bucharest and across
the country where military carried out missions in theatres of operations
abroad played host to military and religious ceremonies. President Klaus
Iohannis said this day symbolizes the triumph of peace over war, adding that
veterans are genuine role models for the younger generations. In a message
marking the occasion, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in turn referred to the
sacrifice of Romanian servicemen, underscoring the importance of peace. November
11 is a day chosen for its significance, the day the armistice was signed
between the Allies of World War I and Germany to end World War 1 and created
the premises of the Great Union in Romania, on December 1, 1918. It was also on
this day in 2003 that the first Romanian servicemen was killed in action in
Afghanistan. 30 Romanian servicemen were killed and over 200 were wounded in
theatres of operations over 1996-2022. We recall War Veterans Day is celebrated
on April 29.

RESOLUTION – Social-Democrat leaders from across Europe on Friday
adopted a resolution expressing support for the immediate Schengen accession of
Bulgaria and Romania, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has said. The Romanian
official attended the European Socialists Congress hosted by Málaga, Spain.
More Europe also entails protecting and strengthening one of the European
Union’s greatest achievements: the Schengen Agreement, the resolution reads,
also underlining that Romania and Bulgaria have fulfilled Schengen accession
criteria. In a post on social media, Marcel Ciolacu gave assurances he will do
everything in his power to persuade Austria and the Netherlands that Romania
belongs in Schengen. On the sidelines of the event, Marcel Ciolacu met with counterparts from Spain, Malta and Denmark as well as with Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

WAR IN GAZA – The Rafah border crossing point used to evacuate
civilians from Gaza into Egypt remained closed on Friday, the Romanian Foreign
Ministry reports. As a result, Romanian citizens and members of their families
who received permission to evacuate are still on standby. Romania’s
Representative Office in Ramallah remains in permanent contact with people
who’ve asked for assistance to evacuate, the Ministry also says. A third mobile
consular team as part of the Rapid Response Unit set up at the level of the
Crisis Room monitoring developments in Gaza was deployed in Cairo with a view
to assisting in specific border-crossing procedures. Romania’s diplomatic
representatives in Cairo and Tel Aviv remain in permanent contact with Egyptian
and Israeli authorities until all citizens are evacuated, the Ministry also
assures. On Thursday, 41 Romanian citizens and family members were evacuated
from Gaza through the Rafah checkpoint, adding to the 93 citizens who were
safely brought home. Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting, world
countries calling on Israel to accept an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and take
measures to limit the loss of human lives. Too many Palestinians have been
killed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said in what has been his
firmest response to Israel’s actions since hostilities broke out in the region.
In turn, the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, said Israel should stop
bombing Gaza and killing civilians. Both officials have however expressed
support for Israel’s actions targeted against the Islamist terrorist
organization Hamas. In another development, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,
Mohammad bin Salman, has condemned Israel’s repeated violations of
international humanitarian legislation. Riyadh on Saturday hosted a joint
summit of the Arab League and the Islamic Cooperation Organization devoted to
the developments in Gaza. Following the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed
over 1,400 people, Tel Aviv declared war against the Islamist organization.
According to the Health Ministry on Gaza, over 11,000 Palestinians were killed
in Israeli bombings in Gaza, of whom the majority are civilians. Gaza is now
struggling with a humanitarian crisis, Reuters reports.

TENNIS – Romania’s tennis team leads 2-0 in the Billie Jean King
Cup playoffs against Serbia. On Saturday, Jaqueline Cristian is playing Mia
Ristic, while Gabriela Ruse will take on Aleksandra Krunic. The doubles match
will pit Katarina Kozarov and Natalija Stefanovic against Irina Bara and Monica
Niculescu. On Friday, Jaqueline Cristian won 7-5, 6-4 against Aleksandra Krunic
while Gabriela Ruse defeated Mia Rustic 7-6, 6-3. The winner will advance to
the Billie Jean King Cup preliminaries, while the loser will play in Group 1.
In April, Romania lost 3-2 to Slovenia, failing to qualify to the final
tournament. (VP)